Verse of the Day Devotion.  Luke 22:71 

“And they said, what further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth. – Luke 22:71 

This verse of the day speaks of Jesus before the Council of the Elders of the people. This group is also called the Sanhedrin. The elders were made up of both Chief Priests and Scribes. “And when it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying, If You are the Christ, tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe.” Luke 22:66-67. This particular meeting was not assembled to seek the truth but to seek a reason to condemn Him. Once the elders were gathered where the Sanhedrin normally met, they led Jesus into this room for questioning.  Their first questions struck right at the heart of their search; how could they put Him to death?“ They brought in people to present testimonies, however, they were inconsistent. “For many were giving false testimony against Him, and yet their testimony was not consistent. And some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. And not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.” Mark 14:56-59. 

So, as we see, if they could not find a reason to kill Him, they would make a reason to kill Him. However, He was not answering their questions, for I believe He knew it would make no difference. Then, as we read in verse 67, they came right out and asked, “If You are the Christ, tell us. But He said to them, If I tell you, you will not believe; and if I ask a question, you will not answer.” Luke 22:67-68. However, He did not directly answer the question, for they would not believe Him anyway, and if He were to respond they would not address anything He said.

Then He responds to them but does not directly answer them. “But from now on THE SON OF MAN WILL BE SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND of the power OF GOD.” Luke 22:69. Now Jesus points back to what was said at His transfiguration. “And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.” Luke 9:30-31. This departure mentioned in the previous verse regarding Moses and Elijah would soon come to pass.  His work here to pay the penalty for the sins of all men would be accomplished in just a number of hours.

Now, Mark speaks the same words, but in a different order. Note how it is said. “But He kept silent and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.” Mark 14:61-62. Mark says He tells them He is the Son of God and then they will see Him, whereas in Luke, He tells them they will see Him and then He answers them, telling them He is the Son of God. They both say the same thing but in a different way. However, what is significant is that when He does tell them who He is, as we read in Luke, “And they said, what further need do we have of testimony? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” Luke 22:71. As far as Jesus’ opponents were concerned, their purpose had now been achieved.  This therefore is how the accusation was presented to Pilot, yet the Sanhedrin’s condemnation of Jesus is less political than religious, for Jesus was found guilty after accepting the title “Son of God.”

Jesus gave everything to provide a way of salvation for us. And because of this, we need to stand as firm in our belief in who He is as He did in providing the way of escape for us. We must be willing to endure whatever comes our way as a witness to the truth of the gospel.  Being the light of Christ in a world that hates Him and us will be difficult, but it is the only way to fulfil His calling on our lives.  He gave it all, and we should as well.   

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.