Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus' response, "You have said so," is a deliberate affirmation, agreeing that he is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. The crucial part is "from now on," which points not just to the future judgment but also to his impending resurrection, ascension, and the powerful spread of his message – proofs they would soon witness.
Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
During Jesus' trial before the high priest Caiaphas, he is directly asked if he is the Christ, the Son of God. After a period of silence and mockery, Jesus boldly affirms his identity and declares that they will witness his divine authority in the future. This declaration is a pivotal moment, as he openly embraces his messianic claims under oath, knowing it will lead to his condemnation.
Jesus is on trial, facing a death sentence. What does He do when directly asked if He is the Son of God? He doesn't just affirm it; He does so in a way that amplifies its truth.
A Confession of Identity
When Caiaphas asks, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” (Mark 14:61), Jesus responds with "You have said so" (Matthew 26:64). This isn't a hesitant 'maybe' or a reluctant admission. It's a strong affirmation, acknowledging the truth in Caiaphas's words. He's essentially saying, 'Yes, that's right.'
A Statement of Authority
But Jesus doesn't stop there. He immediately pivots to a declaration of His future glory: "from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." This isn't just about His identity; it's about His authority and ultimate triumph.
The titles Jesus uses and the imagery He employs aren't accidental. They carry immense weight, pointing to His divine nature and ultimate cosmic role.
Divine Seating
Jesus describes Himself as the 'Son of Man' (a reference to Daniel 7:13) who will be 'seated at the right hand of Power.' This 'Power' refers to God Almighty. Sitting at the right hand signifies supreme honor, authority, and power. It's a place of co-regency, indicating that Jesus will share in God's divine rule.
Coming in Glory
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The phrase 'coming on the clouds of heaven' is also deeply symbolic, drawn from Daniel 7. It signifies not just a future event, but an immediate, powerful manifestation of divine judgment and vindication. For Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, this was a terrifying prophecy of the judgment that would soon fall upon their rejection of Him.
Jesus is condemned, mocked, and facing crucifixion. Yet, His words to Caiaphas are not about His immediate circumstances, but about an inevitable future vindication.
A Glimpse of Glory
The word 'hereafter' (or 'from now on') is crucial. Jesus acknowledges that His accusers will not believe His confession now. Instead, they will see His vindication unfold. This vindication includes His resurrection, His ascension ('seated at the right hand of Power'), and the spread of His kingdom through the gospel, which would ultimately lead to the judgment of Jerusalem.
The Certainty of Judgment and Reign
For Jesus' enemies, this wasn't a message of hope, but a pronouncement of doom. They would see Him coming in glory, not as a fellow sufferer, but as the Judge. For believers, it's a constant reminder that present suffering is temporary, and Christ's ultimate reign and return are certain.
Understand the original words
huios tou anthrōpou · Greek Noun phrase
A messianic title used by Jesus referring to Himself, rooted in Daniel 7:13-14, highlighting His humanity, heavenly authority, and future role as judge.
dynamis · Greek Noun
A reverent circumlocution for God, often used by Jews to avoid speaking the Divine Name (YHWH) directly, emphasizing His majesty and sovereignty.
Jesus' bold declaration during his trial, referencing Old Testament prophecies of divine authority, served as a powerful affirmation of his identity and a foretelling of future judgment and vindication.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' Public Ministry
During Jesus' public ministry, he performed miracles, taught about the Kingdom of God, and gathered disciples, but he largely avoided making direct public claims to be the Messiah to avoid political misunderstanding.
Nisan 14, AD 30 or 33— this verse
Arrest and Trial of Jesus
Following his betrayal by Judas, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and subjected to a series of illegal trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin and Pontius Pilate.
Nisan 14, AD 30 or 33
Jesus' Confession Before the Sanhedrin
Under oath before the high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, Jesus explicitly affirms his identity as the Son of God, a statement that leads to his condemnation.
c. AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem
Jesus' prophecy of seeing the Son of Man coming in the clouds was fulfilled in a significant way with the Roman destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, seen by many as a divine judgment.
Early 1st century AD
Jesus' Ascension and Enthronement
After his resurrection, Jesus ascended into heaven and was seated at the right hand of God, signifying his supreme authority and reign.
This passage describes a vision of 'one like a son of man' coming with the clouds of heaven to receive authority and glory, directly paralleling Jesus' self-identification and future vindication before the Sanhedrin.
Psalm 110:1This psalm speaks of the Lord saying to his own self, 'Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool,' which Jesus clearly references when claiming His future exalted position at God's right hand.
Matthew 24:30Jesus Himself prophesied the 'sign of the Son of Man' appearing in the sky, coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, echoing the very words He uses in this response to Caiaphas.
John 8:28Earlier in His ministry, Jesus declared, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he,' pointing to His future exaltation and the recognition that would follow His crucifixion, similar to His statement here.
Acts 1:9This passage describes Jesus being taken up into a cloud after His resurrection, signifying His ascension to the right hand of God, which serves as a future fulfillment of His promise to Caiaphas that they would see Him in heavenly glory.
henryMatthew 26:57-68: "And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled."
26:57-68 Jesus was hurried into Jerusalem. It looks ill, and bodes worse, when those who are willing to be Christ's disciples, are not willing to be known to be so. Here began Peter's denying him: for to follow Christ afar off, is to begin to go back from him. It is more our concern to prepare for the end, whatever it may be, than curiously to ask w…
barnesMatthew 26:64: "Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven."
Thou hast said - This is a form of assenting or affirming. Thou hast said the truth; or, as Luke Luk 22:70 has it, "Ye say that I am." This was not, however, said "immediately." Before Jesus acknowledged himself to be the Messiah, he said to them Luke 22:67-68 , "If I tell you ye will not believe, and if…
Jesus' response, "You have said so," is a deliberate affirmation, agreeing that he is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. The crucial part is "from now on," which points not just to the future judgment but also to his impending resurrection, ascension, and the powerful spread of his message – proofs they would soon witness.
During Jesus' trial before the high priest Caiaphas, he is directly asked if he is the Christ, the Son of God. After a period of silence and mockery, Jesus boldly affirms his identity and declares that they will witness his divine authority in the future. This declaration is a pivotal moment, as he openly embraces his messianic claims under oath, knowing it will lead to his condemnation.
During Jesus' trial before the high priest Caiaphas, he is directly asked if he is the Christ, the Son of God. After a period of silence and mockery, Jesus boldly affirms his identity and declares that they will witness his divine authority in the future. This declaration is a pivotal moment, as he openly embraces his messianic claims under oath, knowing it will lead to his condemnation.
"Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”" — Jesus' response, "You have said so," is a deliberate affirmation, agreeing that he is indeed the Messiah, the Son of God. The crucial part is "from now on," which points not just to the future judgme…
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Last reviewed October 2026