Mar 14:60-62 | KingComments | STEP | The high priest stands up from his chair. He stands up and comes forward, he is part of the troop of prosecutors and is not an independent judge. All honesty is lacking in this sham trial against the Son of God. The high priest now takes charge of the interrogation himself. He is surprised that the Lord does not answer to all the witnesses who have spoken. But the Lord does not defend Himself against false accusations. He does not respond to what the high priest says. He is both the Suffering One and the Ruling One. He determines what happens and what He says. Then the high priest says something to which He responds. This is not a false accusation, but a question about His Person, whether He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Well, the Messiah is the Son of God.

‏ Mark 14:60-62

Interrogation by the High Priest

The high priest stands up from his chair. He stands up and comes forward, he is part of the troop of prosecutors and is not an independent judge. All honesty is lacking in this sham trial against the Son of God. The high priest now takes charge of the interrogation himself. He is surprised that the Lord does not answer to all the witnesses who have spoken.

But the Lord does not defend Himself against false accusations. He does not respond to what the high priest says. He is both the Suffering One and the Ruling One. He determines what happens and what He says. Then the high priest says something to which He responds. This is not a false accusation, but a question about His Person, whether He is the Messiah, the Son of God. Well, the Messiah is the Son of God.

Condemnation

To the high priest’s question as to whether He is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed, the Lord gives an affirmative answer. Yes, He is. But in His answer He goes far beyond the high priest’s question. He adds His glory as the Son of Man. The high priest’s question has to do with Psalm 2, the Lord’s answer with Psalm 8. He is the Son of God after Psalm 2 (Psa 2:7), but He is also the Son of Man Who will reign over the universe according to Psalm 8 (Psa 8:4-7). He is the Son of David and He is also the Lord of David.

Now He is as the Rejected One among them and they can do with Him whatever they want. But there will come a time when they will see Him as the Son of Man sitting at God’s right hand and He will come back with the clouds of heaven. That is, after His rejection He will take up a new position, as mentioned in Psalm 110 (Psa 110:1), and then come as the Son of Man according to Daniel 7 (Dan 7:13-14).

The religious leaders know only too well that in doing so He is saying He is the Messiah. And this testimony concerning the truth of His own Person becomes the basis of His condemnation. What He has now said is for the high priest the requested evidence for His condemnation. He tears his clothes, entirely against the law (Lev 21:10), as proof of his indignation at that presumption, while his heart cheers. All witnesses can go, for they are no longer needed.

The supreme blindness of man, and of religious man in particular, is evidenced by the fact that he accuses Him, Who is the Lord of glory, of blasphemy when He speaks the truth and condemns Him to death for it (1Cor 2:7-8). The Lord is not condemned on the basis of a false testimony of man. His own confession, His faithfulness in speaking the truth before the whole council, is the cause of His condemnation.

His judges and prosecutors celebrate because they have succeeded in finding a reason for His condemnation. The Lord is not spared mockery and humiliation (cf. Job 30:10). After the mighty testimony of Mk 14:62, this is now His share. Where has it ever been shown that during a trial both judges and prosecutors after a verdict both spit and beat the condemned person (Mic 5:1c)?

The Lord allows everything to happen to Him without defending Himself one time or averting blows. His opponents amuse themselves with Him. They want Him to entertain them by once more showing His qualities as a prophet. They blindfold Him, beat Him with their fists, and then ask Him to tell them who beat Him. It is all written down in God’s book (Psa 56:8c). Man will have to account for every mocking word and every mocking act to Him Whom they now abuse so much.