And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?
LUKE 22:64KJVWhat does Luke 22:64 mean?
Luke 22:64 describes how Jesus was blindfolded, struck on the face, and then mocked by being challenged to identify who hit him. This verse shows the physical and verbal abuse Jesus suffered after his arrest, as his captors taunted him about his prophetic abilities.
The scene takes place during Jesus’ trial before the Jewish authorities. The people holding Jesus—likely guards or officials—are the ones speaking and acting. Their challenge, “Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?” was meant to ridicule Jesus’ claim to be a prophet, since he could not see who struck him because he was blindfolded. This moment highlights the humiliation and injustice Jesus endured before his crucifixion.
The Greek behind Luke 22:64
- "Blindfolded" (περικαλύψαντες, perikalýpsantes): This word means to cover completely, especially the face or eyes. The detail that Jesus was blindfolded explains why the question “Who hit you?” was meant as mockery, not a genuine inquiry.
- "Struck" (ἔτυπτον, étypton): This verb often refers to hitting with force, not just a light slap. The violence here is real and physical, not just symbolic.
- "Prophesy" (προφήτευσον, prophḗteuson): The Greek word means to speak forth or reveal hidden things, often by divine insight. The captors are sarcastically demanding Jesus prove his prophetic powers by naming his attacker.
Why Luke 22:64 matters
- Luke 22:64 clears up any idea that Jesus’ suffering was only emotional or spiritual; the verse shows he was physically abused and publicly mocked.
- The verse emphasizes the depth of the humiliation Jesus faced, as even his identity as a prophet was ridiculed in a cruel and personal way.
- This moment connects to the wider narrative of Jesus’ trial and crucifixion, showing the fulfillment of his earlier predictions that he would be rejected and mistreated.