Jesus’ last appearance as the Sovereign Son of God elicits a heavily ornamented figuration from the first and second violins which brings to mind a halo, or the swirling of heavenly clouds around the Son of God sitting at the right hand of the Father. In 36b the eight very closely spaced entries of the choir give the impression of an impatient and vociferous crowd.
36a |
Evangelist High Priest Evangelist Jesus Evangelist High Priest Evangelist |
Und Hohepriester antwortete und sprach zu ihm: “Ich beschwöre dich bei dem lebendigen Gott, daß du uns sagest, ob du seiest Christus, der Sohn Gottes?” Jesus sprach zu ihm: “Du sagests. Doch sage ich euch: Von nun an wirds geschehen, daß ihr sehen werdet des Menschen Sohn sitzen zur Rechten der Kraft und kommen in den Wolken des Himmels.” Da zerriß der Hohepriester seine Kleider und sprach: “Er hat Gott gelästert; was dürfen wir weiter Zeugnis? Siehe, itzt habt ihr seine Gotteslästerung gehöret. Was dünket euch?” Sie antworteten und sprachen: |
And the High Priest answered and said unto him: “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.” 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.” Then the High Priest rent his clothes saying: “He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. What think ye?” They answered and said: |
36b |
Chorus |
“Er ist des Todes schuldig!” |
“He is guilty of death!” |
36c |
Evangelist |
Da speieten sie aus in sein Angesicht und schlugen ihn mit Fäusten. Etliche aber schlugen ihn ins Angesicht und sprachen: |
Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him: and others smote him with the palms of their hands, saying: |
36d |
Chorus |
“Weissage uns, Christe, wer ists der dich schlug?” |
“Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, who is he that smote thee?” |
This chorale, drawn from the same source as number 10, is the direct outcome of the preceding chorus. Note the reference to the buffeting of Christ by the crowd.
37 |
Chorus |
Wer hat dich so geschlagen, |
Who has struck you so, |
Commentary by Peter Parfitt © Aberdeen Bach Choir 2012