The Jews had much earlier charged Jesus that “…you being a man, make yourself out to be God” and tried unsuccessfully to stone Him (John 10:33).  Now Caiaphas, like an amateur chess player thinking he has his opponent in check, puts Christ under an oath requiring Him to state clearly, “Are you the Christ, the son of God?” (vs. 63). Jesus affirmed the answer, “You have said it yourself.” This is the same expression Jesus used in response to Judas’ question, “Surely it is not I, Rabbi?” (26:25). That He was essentially replying, “Yes” is corroborated by His further comments and Caiaphas’ response. The Lord emphatically and clearly accepts the title of “Son of God” but also refers to Himself as the “Son of Man, sitting at the right hand of Power.” This was a clear reference to Psalm 110:1, which is quoted four times in the NT and alluded to many other times as well (see Heb 1:3, for example).  The Jews understood Him as making an unequivocal claim to be greater than David, and in fact, to be equal with God. The phrase “Son of man … coming on the clouds of heaven” makes it clear Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah of Daniel 7:13.

Jesus’ present audience knew exactly what He was saying and it was blasphemous in their ears. The high priest went berserk, tearing his robes (the prescribed response to blasphemy according to ancient rabbinic literature). Trumped up charges were no longer needed, they had all the evidence they needed, and it was good evidence. They heard it themselves and thus the whole council became eye witnesses. Blasphemy was the charge, judgment was declared, sentence pronounced: death. The trial was over, everything else was mere formality.

The council, not just the mob or the soldiers, but the dignified, respectable, reputable high priest, scribes and elders – they spit on Christ, physically abused Him and taunted Him. What a pathetic degradation—of their Messiah, but also of themselves.