Luke 22:68

Luke 22:68, in plain English

Jesus adds, 'And if I ask you a question, you won't answer Me.' He's pointing out that honest conversation has never been their interest.

Why it's here

All week, Jesus had asked the leaders questions they dodged. This trial is no different — it's not a real conversation.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks with quiet frustration at the impossibility of genuine dialogue with people who've closed their minds.

Where it sits in the story

Jesus has been here before. All week He asked the religious leaders tough questions and they refused to answer. Now in the trial, it's the same game: they want to interrogate but never engage honestly. Jesus names the pattern they can't deny.

The scholarly reading

Jesus adds: 'If I ask you (a question), ou mē apokrithēte (you absolutely will not answer).' This refers to the questions Jesus had posed during His temple teaching (e.g., Luke 20:1-8, 41-44) that the leaders refused to engage with honestly.

Language and setting

Jesus' reference to unanswered questions recalls His recent temple debates where the authorities repeatedly refused to engage with His penetrating inquiries about authority, David's Lord, and the rejected cornerstone.

Voice

Jesus continues to expose the Sanhedrin's intellectual dishonesty — they refuse both to hear His claims and to answer His challenges.

Significance

Jesus adds a second layer to His defense: 'You won't answer My questions either.' Throughout the week, He had posed questions they couldn't answer without exposing themselves. A genuine dialogue was never possible with men committed to His destruction.

66At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said,

67“If You are the Christ, tell us.”

68And if I ask you a question, you will not answer.

69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

70So they all asked, “Are You then the Son of God?”

Read all of Luke 22 — The upper room, a betrayer's kiss, a servant's ear, and Peter's denial by firelight. The longest night in history begins.