And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

LUKE 22:63KJV
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Luke 22:63 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:63 mean?

Luke 22:63 describes how the men who were guarding Jesus began to mock him and physically strike him. This verse shows that Jesus was not only arrested but also subjected to humiliation and violence by those holding him.

The scene takes place after Jesus has been arrested and is being held by the authorities before his trial. The men mentioned are likely the temple guards or soldiers responsible for watching over him. Their actions—mocking and hitting Jesus—highlight the mistreatment and scorn he endured even before any formal judgment was made against him.

The Greek behind Luke 22:63

  • "mocked" (ἐνέπαιζον, enepaizon): This Greek word means to ridicule or make fun of someone, often in a cruel or demeaning way. Here, it emphasizes that Jesus was not just physically abused but also verbally humiliated.
  • "smote" (ἔτυπτον, etypton): This word means to strike or hit, indicating that Jesus was physically beaten by the men holding him. The use of this word shows the violence and harsh treatment he received.

Why Luke 22:63 matters

  • This verse makes clear that Jesus faced both emotional and physical suffering at the hands of his captors, even before any official trial or sentence.
  • The mocking and beating fulfill earlier predictions Jesus made about his suffering, connecting this moment to the larger narrative of his passion.
  • By describing this mistreatment, Luke sets the stage for the seriousness of what Jesus endures, helping readers understand the depth of his experience leading up to the crucifixion.

Where else these words appear

“held” Greek G4912 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
  • Luke 8:45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
  • Acts 18:5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.

“mocked” Greek G1702 · used in 13 verses

  • Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
  • Matthew 27:41 Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said,
  • Luke 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

“smote” Greek G1194 · used in 15 verses

  • Matthew 21:35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
  • Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.
  • Acts 5:40 And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.