Matthew 26:64

Jesus gave the same answer to Caiaphas that He had given to Judas (Matthew 26:25). It was "affirmative in content, and reluctant or circumlocutory in formulation." [Note: David R. Catchpole, "The Answer of Jesus to Caiaphas (Matt. xxvi. 64)," New Testament Studies 17 (1970-71):226.] Caiaphas took it as a yes (Matthew 26:65). Jesus then proceeded to expand or qualify His response because the religious leaders’ concept of Messiah was inadequate. Jesus claimed to be the Messiah but not the Messiah Caiaphas and his cronies had in mind.

Jesus alluded to Psalms 110:1 and Daniel 7:13 to show that He was not a political Messiah in the popular mold. He was a Messiah who would receive a kingdom from the Ancient of Days and return to reign in great power and honor. This was one of Jesus’ clearest claims of messiahship (cf. Matthew 16:27; Matthew 23:39; Matthew 24:30-31; Matthew 26:29). It constituted both a revelation and a threat to Israel’s leaders. From now on, Jesus claimed, His hearers would not see Him as He stood before them then. In the future they would see Him as the Messiah and their Judge.