Matthew 26:64Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

He announces to them the words spoken by the prophet Daniel, who declared that ‘I saw as it were the Son of Man coming on the clouds.' Because His adversaries regarded Him as a fraud appearing in a humble state, He informs them that ‘you will see Me then coming with power, and sitting with the Father.’ In this statement, He alludes to the authority of the Father and indicates His arrival, not from the earth, but from heaven.

"From now on you will witness the Son of Man arriving in clouds of light alongside the angels of heaven. Then the high priest, grasping the edges of his robe, rent his outer attire, as it had been rendered powerless by the new wine (Matthew 9:17). Furthermore, we must acknowledge that all that God aimed to accomplish through His only Son was anticipated in creation, and particularly known to His righteous ones in advance. In the month of Arekk (March), flowers erupt from their buds, emerging and leaving their husks bare and void, ultimately becoming the adornments for others. Similarly, in the month of Arekk, the high priest abolished his priestly role, rendering it exposed and void, with the priesthood transitioning and resting upon our Savior. Christ silenced their accusations, yet they incited a tumult of witnesses against Him. The Lord spoke in response to their inquiries, causing their garments to be torn."

Jesus responded, "You have spoken correctly; you proclaim that I am the Christ, the Son of God." In Mark, it is recorded that Jesus affirmed, "I am." He acknowledged their words, recognizing their disbelief, yet He carried out His responsibility. He did this to prevent them from claiming later, "If He had openly declared His identity, we would have believed." However, I declare to 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." This "from now on" refers to a time shortly after, indicating the period following His Resurrection. He is saying, "Look at Me, the one you are about to crucify, seated in a position of authority alongside God the Father." At His Second Coming, He will descend from above on the clouds as God.

The One who showed profound reverence to the Heavenly Father could not refrain from addressing the inquiry posed on behalf of the God of Israel. Jesus responded to Caiaphas, “Thou sayest” or as St. Mark records it, “I am.” Yet, for the Redeemer of sinners, this answer was insufficient; He is also the one who fervently seeks the salvation of the lost souls. In the words of the prophet Daniel (Dan. 7:13, 14), not only does He affirm His self-assessment, but He also compels the Sanhedrin to halt their violent intentions, urging them to regain their senses and reflect on their own fate and the future. The prophet declared, “Behold, on the clouds of heaven, there appears one like a son of man, coming, and He shall be presented before the Ancient of Days.

O my brethren, let yourselves not be deceived by the scornful and deceitful talk of those who say: When we see Christ in heaven as God, then we will believe in Him. This faith will be too late and the sight will be in vain. For Christ said to the High Priest who condemned Him: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven. He spoke these words not as a threat, but as a truth that will be fulfilled, whether we accept it or not. Blessed is he who already believes in His glory today without having seen it.

Our Lord, who holds the name of His Father in the highest regard and exemplifies this reverence for us all, provided Caiaphas with a response. With a serene awareness of His divine nature, Jesus declared to him, "You have said... You rightly assert that I am the Christ. Indeed, I am the Son of the Living God." Although the Lord knew they would not place their faith in Him, He remained faithful to His mission to prevent them from later claiming, "If He had admitted it while under duress, we would have believed in Him." This declaration sufficed for Caiaphas and his companions, yet the Savior of lost souls continued to seek their redemption.

In response to the direct inquiry, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of God?’ which essentially asks, ‘Are you the promised Messiah?’ Jesus affirmed, “I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Mk. 14:62). Caiaphas and the other members of the Sanhedrin recognized that the prophet Daniel described this vision of the Son of Man in such precise terms. He foretold His coming on the clouds of heaven and His presentation before the Ancient of Days, referring to God, Jehovah (Dan. 7:13).

In response, Christ declared, "I am the Christ, the Son of God." He then addressed those gathered around Him in positions of authority, stating, "From this moment, you will witness the Son of Man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven."

The question was posed with gravity, and Christ’s answer revealed His divine identity, which should have instilled reverence in all those present. "You have rightly said," He affirmed, using a familiar Greek expression that served as a profound confirmation, equivalent to saying, "Indeed, you have spoken the truth—it is I."

"You have spoken": a confirmation in response to a asked question; you have accurately identified Me as the Christ (cf. Mk. 14:62). - "From now on you will witness": cf. Jn. 1:51. - "Sitting at the right hand of power": or at the right hand of the Almighty, namely God (cf. similarly 2 Pet. 1:17). To occupy the position at the right hand signifies the strength and special honor of the one who is seated there (cf. note on Matt. 20:21). This refers, of course, to the declaration in Psalm 110:1, in which the Messiah is depicted as seated at God's right hand (cf. note on Matthew 22:42 ff.); through this reference, the Lord's affirmative response to the inquiry regarding His identity as the Messiah is further substantiated.