Knowing their thoughts and that, not having believed the works which are more capable of persuading, they would all the more not believe words, He says: "if I tell you, you will not believe." For if you believed My words, what need would there be for this present assembly?
Lk. 22:68. And if I also ask you, you will not answer Me, nor let Me go,
"And if I also ask, you will not answer." For they often remained silent when questioned, for example, about the baptism of John (Mark 11:30, 33), about the words: "The Lord said to my Lord" (Matt. 22:44–46), about the woman who was bent over (Luke 13:11–17). When did you listen to Me and believe? When did you not remain silent to a question put to you? Therefore I will only say that from now on it is not the time to speak to you and explain who I am (for if you had wished, you would have known Me from the signs I performed), but from now on it is the time of judgment.
Lk. 22:69. From now on, the Son of Man will sit at the right hand of the power of God.
You will see Me, the Son of Man, sitting "at the right hand of the power of God."
Lk. 22:70. And they all said: So, You are the Son of God? He answered them: You say that I am.
Lk. 22:71. They said, "What further need do we have of testimony? For we ourselves have heard from His own mouth."
At this they should have been terrified, but after such words they became even more enraged and in their frenzy ask: "Are You then the Son of God?" He, with moderation and pointing out the absurdity of their question, answers them: "You say that I am," for He despised their fury and spoke to them fearlessly. From this it is also evident that the obstinate receive no benefit from having mysteries revealed to them, but rather incur far greater condemnation. Therefore one must conceal these things from such people, for this is in fact the more compassionate thing to do.