ISB ~ Matthew 26 v64

You have said so:Jesus br

eaks silence under oath. According to Mk 14:62, Jesus’ response to Caiaphas is unambiguous: he accepts fully the charge to be Israel’s divine Messiah and king. But I tell you: Jesus appears to be the victim, but he claims to be the victor. Drawing from two OT texts (Ps 110:1 and Dan 7:13), Jesus anticipates his vindication by God.

• In context, Ps 110 and Dan 7 share common images. Both envision a heavenly throne room in God’s presence (Ps 110:1; Dan 7:9); both depict a royal Messiah who reigns with God (Ps 110:1; Dan 7:14); and both present this figure triumphing over his enemies (Ps 110:2, 56; Dan 7:23-27). Jesus here weaves these texts into a self-portrait: he is the royal Son of man soon to be vindicated over his enemies and enthroned at God’s right hand. By contrast, the high priest and the council are cast as the Messiah’s adversaries seeking his death. Caia

phas in particular is toppled from his high position. As Israel’s head representative, he is the only person permitted to enter the Temple’s innermost chamber. Jesus claims something still greater for himself: as Messiah, he is now the true head of faithful Israel in the Church and will assume his throne in the inner shrine of God’s heavenly presence at his Ascension (Mk 16:19; CCC 663-64).