Mark 14:55

KJV

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} the chief priests {G749} and {G2532} all {G3650} the council {G4892} sought {G2212} for witness {G3141} against {G2596} Jesus {G2424} to {G1519} put {G2289} him {G846} to death {G2289}; and {G2532} found {G2147} none {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The head cohanim and the whole Sanhedrin tried to find evidence against Yeshua, so that they might have him put to death, but they couldn't find any.

Berean Standard Bible

Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.

American Standard Version

Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:55 vividly portrays the desperate and unjust efforts of the Jewish chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin to condemn Jesus to death. Despite their malicious intent and relentless search for incriminating evidence, the verse starkly reveals their utter failure to find any credible or consistent witness against Him, underscoring the baseless nature of their accusations and Jesus' profound innocence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment within Mark's passion narrative, immediately following Jesus' betrayal by Judas and His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. It initiates the series of trials Jesus endures, first before the Jewish Sanhedrin, then before Pilate, and finally before Herod, before His crucifixion. The narrative flow in [Mark 14](/mark/14 "Mark 14 - The Last Supper and Arrest") quickly moves from the Passover preparations and Last Supper to the intense events of Gethsemane, the betrayal, and the subsequent illegal night trial. This verse sets the stage for the perversion of justice that culminates in Jesus' condemnation, highlighting the predetermined outcome desired by the religious authorities even before any testimony is heard. The subsequent verses, such as [Mark 14:56-59](/mark/14-56-59 "Mark 14:56-59 - Conflicting False Testimonies"), elaborate on the conflicting nature of the false witnesses who eventually come forward, further emphasizing the Sanhedrin's initial failure to find *any* consistent witness.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "chief priests and all the council" refer to the Sanhedrin, the supreme judicial and religious body in ancient Israel, comprised of 71 members including the High Priest, elders, and scribes. This trial, held at night and during the Passover feast, violated several fundamental Jewish legal traditions. According to the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 4:1), capital cases could not be tried at night, nor on feast days, and a verdict of guilty could not be rendered on the same day the trial began. The Sanhedrin's primary motivation, as hinted in passages like [John 11:47-50](/john/11-47-50 "John 11:47-50 - The Sanhedrin's Plot"), was to preserve their own power and avoid Roman intervention, fearing that Jesus' growing popularity and claims would provoke an uprising and lead to the destruction of their nation and temple. While they could condemn Jesus for blasphemy, they lacked the authority to execute Him under Roman rule, necessitating a charge that would warrant Roman capital punishment, hence their desperate search for a suitable "witness."

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Mark's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Predetermined Injustice and the Perversion of Justice**. The council's explicit goal was "to put him to death" *before* seeking witness, revealing a judicial process corrupted by malice and political expediency rather than a pursuit of truth. This was a show trial, designed to legitimize a foregone conclusion. Secondly, the phrase "found none" highlights **Jesus' Innocence and Blamelessness**. Despite the powerful and influential figures arrayed against Him, and their intense efforts to fabricate a case, no legitimate or consistent grounds for condemnation could be found, emphasizing His moral purity and the baselessness of the charges. Thirdly, this event illustrates the profound **Conflict Between Human Malice and Divine Sovereignty**. While human beings, driven by envy and fear, conspired to eliminate Jesus, their actions paradoxically served to fulfill God's redemptive plan. Even in this act of profound injustice, God's sovereign will for the salvation of humanity was unfolding, as Jesus willingly submitted to their wicked designs, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sought (Greek, _zētéō'_):** From G2212, this verb means "to seek (literally or figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to plot (against life)." In this context, it carries the strong connotation of actively plotting or scheming against Jesus' life. It's not a neutral search for truth, but a determined effort to find any pretext, however false, to achieve their murderous objective. The imperfect tense in the original Greek (ἐζήτουν, *ezētoun*) implies a continuous or repeated action, emphasizing their persistent and ongoing efforts to find such a witness.
* **witness (Greek, _martyría'_):** From G3141, this term refers to "evidence given (judicially or genitive case); record, report, testimony." It denotes legal testimony, specifically that which would be presented in a court of law. The Sanhedrin was looking for legal grounds, a formal accusation supported by testimony, that would justify a capital charge against Jesus. The lack of such *martyría* highlights the emptiness of their case.
* **to put him to death (Greek, _thanatóō'_):** From G2289, this verb means "to kill (literally or figuratively); become dead, (cause to be) put to death, kill, mortify." The infinitive phrase "to put him to death" (ἵνα θανατώσωσιν αὐτόν, *hina thanatōsōsin auton*) explicitly states the *purpose* of their search for witness. Their intention was not to ascertain guilt or innocence, but to secure a death sentence. This reveals the malicious and predetermined nature of their judicial process.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the chief priests and all the council":** This clause identifies the powerful and authoritative body responsible for Jesus' trial. The "chief priests" were the heads of the priestly families, often Sadducees, who held significant religious and political power. "All the council" refers to the entire Sanhedrin, emphasizing the unanimous and institutional nature of the opposition against Jesus. This was not a rogue group but the established religious leadership.
* **"sought for witness against Jesus":** This phrase describes the Sanhedrin's active pursuit of evidence. The Greek verb for "sought" (ἐζήτουν, *ezētoun*) is in the imperfect tense, indicating a continuous or repeated action. They were diligently and persistently looking for testimony, highlighting their determination to condemn Him. The phrase "against Jesus" underscores the adversarial and biased nature of their search; they were not seeking truth, but incrimination.
* **"to put him to death;":** This critical clause reveals the ultimate objective of their search. Their purpose was not merely to find fault or to rebuke, but to secure a capital conviction. This pre-determined outcome exposes the profound corruption of their judicial process, transforming a court of law into an instrument of execution.
* **"and found none.":** This concluding phrase delivers the stark and powerful verdict on their efforts. Despite their power, their numbers, their persistence, and their malicious intent, they could not find any legitimate, consistent, or credible testimony that warranted a death sentence. This emphasizes Jesus' blamelessness and the complete lack of legal grounds for their accusations. The failure was not for lack of trying, but for lack of truth.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:55 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Irony** is prominent, as the highest religious and judicial body, entrusted with upholding the Law and justice, is depicted actively perverting it by seeking false testimony to achieve a predetermined murderous outcome. This stands in stark contrast to their supposed role. The verse also uses **Foreshadowing**, as the explicit declaration of their intent "to put him to death" ominously points towards the crucifixion, emphasizing that Jesus' death was not an accident but a deliberate act of human malice, albeit one within God's sovereign plan. Furthermore, there is a powerful **Contrast** between the malicious intent and relentless efforts of the powerful Sanhedrin and the utter lack of any legitimate evidence against the seemingly helpless Jesus. This highlights Jesus' innocence and the moral bankruptcy of His accusers. The terse, declarative statement "and found none" creates a sense of **Dramatic Tension** and emphasizes the frustrating futility of their unjust quest, building anticipation for how they will ultimately achieve their goal.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:55 is a profound theological statement, revealing not only the depth of human depravity in rejecting God's Son but also the perfect innocence of Christ essential for His atoning work. The Sanhedrin's inability to find a legitimate witness against Jesus underscores His sinless nature, a prerequisite for Him to be the spotless sacrifice for the sins of humanity. This scene highlights the tragic reality that truth can be suppressed and justice perverted by those in power driven by self-interest and fear, yet it simultaneously affirms God's ultimate sovereignty, as even this injustice was woven into His redemptive plan. The divine plan for salvation unfolded precisely through this human rebellion, demonstrating that God can use even the most wicked acts to accomplish His righteous purposes.

* [Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59-60 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")
* [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant's Silence")
* [Acts 4:27-28](/acts/4-27-28 "Acts 4:27-28 - God's Sovereign Plan in the Crucifixion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:55 serves as a sobering reminder of the human capacity for injustice and the perversion of truth, especially when power, fear, and prejudice are at play. For believers, this verse calls us to a deep reflection on the nature of truth, justice, and integrity. In a world where narratives are often manipulated and facts distorted, we are challenged to be discerning, to stand for what is right, and to resist the temptation to condemn others based on pre-conceived notions or biased information. It also offers profound comfort: even when earthly justice fails and we face unfair accusations or persecution, God's ultimate justice will prevail. Jesus, who was perfectly innocent, endured the ultimate injustice, providing a model for how we are to respond to suffering and demonstrating that our vindication ultimately rests with God. His blamelessness, highlighted by the Sanhedrin's failure to find witness, is the very foundation of our hope and salvation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Sanhedrin's predetermined intent to "put him to death" challenge our own tendencies to judge others based on preconceived notions rather than objective truth?**
* **In what ways might we, even subtly, participate in "seeking witness" against others through gossip, rumor, or unverified accusations?**
* **How does Jesus' innocent suffering in the face of such injustice encourage us when we experience unfair criticism or persecution for our faith?**
* **What does the Sanhedrin's failure to find legitimate witness against Jesus teach us about His character and the perfection required for our salvation?**

### FAQ
**Why was the Sanhedrin so eager to kill Jesus, even before finding witnesses?**

Answer: The Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish religious and judicial council, perceived Jesus as a profound threat to their authority, their interpretation of the Law, and their precarious relationship with the Roman occupying power. His teachings, claims of divine authority, and growing popularity challenged their established order and traditions. Passages like [John 11:47-48](/john/11-47-48 "John 11:47-48 - The Sanhedrin's Fear of Roman Intervention") reveal their fear that Jesus would incite a rebellion, leading the Romans to destroy their temple and nation. Their eagerness to condemn Him stemmed from a desire to maintain their power, prestige, and the fragile peace with Rome, viewing Jesus as a dangerous disruptor who needed to be eliminated for the sake of their perceived stability.

**What was illegal about this trial according to Jewish law?**

Answer: The trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin violated several key Jewish legal traditions and procedural safeguards designed to protect the accused, especially in capital cases. These violations included:
* **Held at Night:** Jewish law (Mishnah, Sanhedrin 4:1) prohibited capital trials from being held at night.
* **Held on a Feast Day:** Trials, particularly capital ones, were not to occur during major festivals like Passover.
* **Verdict on the Same Day:** In capital cases, a verdict of guilty could not be rendered on the same day the trial began; there had to be a day's adjournment to allow for reconsideration.
* **Predetermined Outcome:** The council's stated intent "to put him to death" before hearing witnesses shows a clear lack of impartiality and a predetermined verdict, which is fundamentally unjust.
* **Conflicting Testimony:** While not directly in [Mark 14:55](/mark/14-55 "Mark 14:55 - The Sanhedrin Seeks Witness"), the subsequent verses ([Mark 14:56](/mark/14-56 "Mark 14:56 - Many Bore False Witness")) show that even the false witnesses they *did* find could not agree, which should have led to the dismissal of the case.

**What does "found none" mean if they eventually condemned him?**

Answer: The phrase "found none" in [Mark 14:55](/mark/14-55 "Mark 14:55 - The Sanhedrin Seeks Witness") refers to their initial, desperate search for *legitimate and consistent* witness that would provide a legal basis for a capital charge. It means they could not find any credible, truthful, or even internally consistent testimony that would stand up in a fair court. While [Mark 14:56](/mark/14-56 "Mark 14:56 - Many Bore False Witness") states that "many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together," this verse highlights the *initial* failure to find *any* useful witness. The Sanhedrin eventually condemned Jesus on the charge of blasphemy based on His own confession that He was the Christ, the Son of the Blessed ([Mark 14:61-64](/mark/14-61-64 "Mark 14:61-64 - Jesus' Confession and Condemnation")), which they twisted into a capital offense, rather than on external witness. Thus, "found none" emphasizes Jesus' actual innocence and the complete lack of true evidence against Him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:55, though detailing a moment of profound injustice, powerfully points to the Christ-centered fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Sanhedrin's desperate and failed search for a legitimate witness against Jesus underscores His perfect, unblemished innocence—a critical theological truth. As the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), Jesus had to be without blemish or spot, a perfect sacrifice. His sinless nature, affirmed by the inability of His enemies to find true fault in Him, is foundational to His atoning work on the cross. The very human malice and perversion of justice witnessed in this verse, while horrific, were paradoxically part of God's sovereign design. As [Acts 2:23](/acts/2-23 "Acts 2:23 - God's Determined Purpose") declares, Jesus was "delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God." His willing submission to this unjust trial and death, despite His blamelessness, was the ultimate act of love, fulfilling prophecies like those in [Isaiah 53](/isaiah/53 "Isaiah 53 - The Suffering Servant"), where the righteous servant is led "as a lamb to the slaughter." Through this "found none" of human accusation, God found the perfect, sinless sacrifice, enabling all who believe in Him to be declared righteous, for [He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 24:1

¶ And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and [with] a certain orator [named] Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Acts 24:13

Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

1 Peter 3:16

¶ Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

1 Peter 3:18

¶ For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:

Matthew 26:59

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Matthew 26:60

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

Matthew 5:22

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.