←
Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
68
Saying: Prophesy unto us, O Christ, who is he that struck thee?
12
more explanations
& daily audio-books
spoken by
– enjoy in Theosis App –
Start your
Bible-journey
with explanations
& daily audio-books
only 4$* per month
{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Moreover, they vocally issued harsh mockeries, declaring, ‘Tell us, O Christ, who has struck You,’ as many referred to Him as a prophet. Another evangelist notes in Luke 22:64 that they obscured His face with a garment, as if presenting before them a person who was utterly dishonorable and devoid of worth. Both free individuals and slaves directed their madness at Him through curses and insults. We should commit ourselves to reading the Scriptures frequently, listening to them intently, and engraving them upon our hearts; these accounts truly hold honor for us. My pride lies not in the many who were raised from the dead, but in the sufferings He bore. This is a theme Paul continually emphasizes—the cross, death, afflictions, insults, disdain, and mockery. He states, ‘Let us go out to Him beyond the camp, bearing His reproach’ (Hebrews 13:13), and further proclaims: ‘for the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising the shame’ (Heb. 12:2)."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"It was imprudent to react to those who inflicted pain or to attempt to make prophetic assumptions about the one enduring the blows, or about the one delivering them, especially when the folly of the attacker was clear. However, just as He did not reveal these things to us, He did unmistakably predict that Jerusalem would be encircled by an army and that the Temple would stand with no stone left upon another."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Marvel at the fervor of the disciples as they share these events! Their profound love for the truth shines through: what might be deemed shameful, they present with utmost faithfulness, leaving nothing hidden and feeling no embarrassment. They rightly see it as a tremendous privilege that the Creator of all chose to endure suffering for our sake. This act reveals His boundless compassion and the unspeakable wickedness inflicted upon such a gentle and unassuming individual, akin to how a lion would treat a lamb. Absolutely nothing is left out, whether in His humble demeanor or in their malice portrayed through both words and actions. The prophet Isaiah anticipated all of this, succinctly articulating the scorn: How many, he states, were astonished to see You—so greatly was His visage marred beyond that of any man, and His appearance more than the sons of men (Isaiah 52:14)!"},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Jerusalem","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a9af397fcf9d613728f_Cyrill%20of%20Jerusalem.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Upon the inquiry of the Hierarch, the truth revealed stirred indignation, prompting the unrighteous servant to strike Him (John 18:22). The countenance that radiated like the sun was battered by the hands of the unjust, while others approached and spat upon the one who had restored sight to the man born blind. \\"Is this how you respond to the Lord? Are these men brutish and senseless?\\" (Deuteronomy 32:6). The prophet, in astonishment, declares, \\"Lord, who has believed our report?\\" (Isaiah 53:1). It is truly astounding that the only God, the Son of God, and the might of the Lord would suffer such indignities. Yet, for the sake of those destined for salvation, the Holy Spirit foretells through the voice of Christ, who, having spoken then, manifested later: \\"I will give My back to scourges\\" (Isaiah 50:6)."},{"author-name":"Cyrill of Alexandria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88a8ea5c988a4fc073480_Cyrill%20of%20Alexandria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":5,"exegesis-text":"We may echo the words of a holy prophet: The heavens were amazed and greatly shaken, declares the Lord, the Almighty, the Sovereign of sovereigns and Master of masters. One among Us is brought low, suffers the beating, and stands firm against the cruelty of the unrighteous, revealing to us the image of His profound humility. How could He, who examines hearts and minds (Rev. 2:23), the source of all prophecy, be unaware of who struck Him (Mt. 26:68)?"},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Upon His condemnation, they proceeded to insult Him and curse Him, covering His face with a robe, as noted by another evangelist (Luke 22:63-64). Viewing Him as a prophet, they unleashed their scorn upon Him. To bruise signifies striking with a clenched fist, or more simply, to hit forcefully."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Let both heaven and earth and all of creation tremble! What a countenance, what disgrace they brought upon Him! While many had referred to Jesus Christ as a prophet, they now derided Him as a false prophet. They obscured His vision with a veil, as noted by Mark (Mark 14:65) and Luke (Luke 22:64), while some struck Him and others mocked, saying, ‘Prophet to us, O Christ, who is it that strikes You?’ The term κολοφίσμος refers to a blow delivered to the neck with an audible sound, while ραπισμος denotes a strike to the face. Following the unjust judgment, they positioned Jesus Christ in the center, treating Him as one scorned and forsaken; both the free and the enslaved hurled insults at Him, displaying their wrath through various means, yet He endured it all with great dignity, exemplifying patience for us. Their malice was boundless, but He reciprocated none. It is remarkable that the evangelists, in their commitment to the truth, recount even the most disgraceful events; they do not condemn Judas or the Jews as adversaries, nor do they glorify Jesus Christ as their Lord, but convey all things with impartiality, prioritizing truth and addressing only what is essential."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Some sought to display their cleverness: they covered His face with a cloth and, with cruel mockery, struck Him, asking, “Prophesy to us, O Christ, who was it that struck You?” They challenged Him, suggesting that if He was indeed the all-knowing Messiah, He should be aware of everything happening around Him. The Lord endured their taunts in silence, and the evangelists deemed it unnecessary to even mention this. The Messiah, through Isaiah the prophet, declared of Himself, “I gave My back to those who struck, and My cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6). This prophecy was fulfilled in precise detail. St. Chrysostom asks, “What purpose did they have in this mockery, knowing that they were intent on executing Him? What need was there for such scorn?” Their actions revealed a blatant arrogance as they descended upon Him in a frantic uproar, overwhelmed with malicious glee and demonstrating their murderous intentions. \\n\\nConsider the disciples' diligence; they recounted these disgraceful occurrences with clear precision, leaving nothing out or feeling shameful about it. They recognized, and rightly so, that it was a profound honor that the Lord of all would choose to endure such suffering for our sake. This illustrated His boundless compassion and highlighted the unforgivable wickedness of His foes, who treated one so gentle and humble as a lion might confront a lamb. Every detail is captured here, both His humility and their wickedness. This, too, was foreseen by the prophet Isaiah: “Many were astonished at You; His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men!” (Isaiah 52:14). \\n\\nWhat can compare to such humiliation? The very face that caused the sea to tremble and from which the sun hid its light as He hung on the cross was spat upon; His head was struck, His cheeks bruised, and the addition of spit to His wounds only compounded their cruelty. Yet that was still not sufficient for them; they continued to hurl scornful insults. We ought to frequently read the Scriptures recounting these events, listen intently to them, and inscribe them in our hearts, for they are truly honorable to us. I take pride not only in the thousands He raised from the dead but also in the sufferings He bore. The Apostle Paul repeatedly emphasizes this, stating, “Let us therefore go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:13) and preaching, “Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Pharisees, who made up a significant portion of the council, likely initially considered the teachings of Jesus with some degree of favor, given their fervent national and religious beliefs. However, the internal conflict they faced before ultimately dismissing His claims contributed to a growing animosity that evolved into profound hatred over time. It was these fervent members of the council who instigated the dramatic and tumultuous conclusion to the assembly. Throughout the final examination of the witnesses, Jesus remained silent; yet, the weight of His assertion regarding His identity as the Messiah and God lingered heavily on the judges, overwhelming them until they could no longer endure it. \\n\\nFollowing the pronouncement of sentence upon Christ, He was handed over to the court attendants, enduring the initial degradation at their coarse hands. The arrogant nobles ridiculed Him in every manner imaginable, seemingly to curry favor with their superiors."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"'Prophesy unto us,' etc.: the act of prophesying involves more than merely disclosing future events or revealing hidden truths. He endured beatings from individuals who may have been strangers to Him, as noted in the account of Mark (Mk. 14:65). In Mark's testimony (Mark 14:65), with eyes closed and in mockery, they challenged Him to name those who struck Him, questioning how the Messiah, if truly all-knowing, could remain unaware of His assailants. \\"What could be more degrading than this? That very countenance, before which the sea felt shame and from which the sun, witnessing the crucifixion, concealed its rays, was spat upon, suffocated, and battered by their wrath\\" (Zlat.)."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Gumilevski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896f4b6fd32caa244b5d7_Philaret%20(Gumilevski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Some sought to appear clever: ‘They closed His eyes and struck Him on the face, saying, “Guess, Christ, who struck You”’ (Luke 22:64). This mockery was not the behavior of Roman soldiers who were unfamiliar with the prophets. Instead, it was the cruel actions of the disrespectful servants of the Sanhedrin, intent on ridiculing Jesus as a false prophet. These men, along with many others who blasphemed and spoke derogatorily about Him (Luke 22:65), hurled numerous other insults at our Lord. How unfortunate for a people whose leaders employed such base servants! Were the servants of the patriarchs in such a manner? Did Abraham have such servants? Abraham lived in reverence of God, imparting this fear not only to his children but also to all his servants. Servants who learn from the example and words of their masters to be arrogant, brazen before God, corrupt, and wicked, will invoke the judgment of God's righteousness upon themselves and their malevolent masters. The Lord Jesus endured the beatings and insults from these insolent servants in silence. He entrusted them to divine judgment. As stated by the Messiah through the prophet: “I will not turn away my face from the scourge of the spittle” (Isaiah 50:6). The Messiah Jesus embodies this prophecy with perfect fidelity. The world must recognize that what was done to Jesus mirrors the trial of the Messiah, the Redeemer of humanity. Therefore, you who are consumed by external appearances, adorning your faces according to the whims of your desires, consider what the Messiah Jesus endured on His countenance for the stirrings of your inclinations! Tremble at the stirrings of sin. Glorify Your passions, O Lord! Amen."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"They concealed His face with a veil and struck Him on the cheek, asking, \\"Do you know who hit You?\\" The expected knowledge of the Messiah led His tormentors to believe that if Jesus truly was the Messiah, He ought to recognize His assailants. Yet Christ remained silent, and this quietness provided some a pretext to regard Him as a false Messiah, leading them to show their disdain in the most extreme way: they began to spit upon Him and blasphemed Him in numerous ways (Luke 22:65). Christ endured all these insults and sufferings without complaint, perhaps even praying silently for those present, as He will later intercede for His crucifiers: \\"Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing\\" (Luke 23:24)."}]}
Support this project and get full access for only 4$/month
Commentarie text can’t be scrolled on PC at the moment. Please use your phone. We’re working on a fix.
