Bible Strands
Matthew 26:67
Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The council members pronounce Jesus deserving of death and immediately execute physical violence against Him following their verdict.
The words — ἐνέπτυσαν (eneptusan) translates as they spat, and ἐκολάφισαν (ekolaphisan) means they struck or slapped.
The thread — The action aligns with Isaiah 50:6, where the servant does not hide his face from strikers, and parallels the soldiers' later mockery in Matthew 27:30, while Isaiah 53:3 establishes the pattern of His rejection.
Why it lands — The text records the council's condemnation manifesting as direct physical abuse, requiring the reader to acknowledge the concrete humiliation Jesus endured under human judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands,
Cross-references
- Isaiah 50:6 I offered My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who tore out My beard. I did not hide My face from scorn and spittle.
- Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.
- Matthew 27:30 Then they spit on Him and took the staff and struck Him on the head repeatedly.
- John 18:22 When Jesus had said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Him in the face and said, “Is this how You answer the high priest?”
- Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
- Mark 14:65 Then some of them began to spit on Him. They blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received Him with slaps in His face.
- Isaiah 52:14 Just as many were appalled at Him—His appearance was disfigured beyond that of any man, and His form was marred beyond human likeness—
- Lamentations 3:30 Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach.
- Mark 15:19 They kept striking His head with a staff and spitting on Him. And they knelt down and bowed before Him.
- John 19:3 And they went up to Him again and again, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and slapping Him in the face.