This scene of mockery is very terrible. How difficult the twelve legions of angels must have found it to restrain themselves. See Matthew 26:53. Here we have an exhibition of the hidden evil of the human heart, which is drawn forth in contact with infinite purity, as the stench of stagnant water is elicited by the summer sun.
Our Lord answered not a word to all the false accusations that were leveled against Him. He left the false witnesses to refute each other. But as soon as His divine claims were challenged, He could not keep silence. It is very noticeable that, in this Gospel, which lays such stress on Christ's pure humanity, Luke makes it so clear that the unwavering affirmation of His equality with God was the cause of His death, John 5:18. Is there not a sense in which the eye of faith always beholds Him seated at the right hand of God's power? [source]
Chapter Summary: Luke 22
1The leaders conspire against Jesus 3Satan prepares Judas to betray him 7The apostles prepare the Passover 19Jesus institutes his holy supper; 21covertly foretells of the traitor; 24rebukes the rest of his apostles from ambition; 31assures Peter his faith should not fail; 34and yet he should deny him thrice 39He prays in the mount, and sweats blood; 47is betrayed with a kiss; 50he heals Malchus' ear; 54he is thrice denied by Peter; 63shamefully abused; 66and confesses himself to be the Son of God