Mark 14:57

And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

And {G2532} there arose {G450} certain {G5100}, and bare false witness {G5576} against {G2596} him {G846}, saying {G3004},

Some stood up and gave this false testimony:

Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:

And there stood up certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

Mark 14:57 describes a pivotal moment during Jesus' illegal night trial before the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin. As the authorities sought grounds to condemn Him, individuals stepped forward to offer false testimony.

Context

This verse immediately follows the high priest's initial questioning of Jesus and sets the stage for the formal accusations. After Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was brought to the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the chief priests, elders, and scribes had gathered (Mark 14:53). The legal proceedings were a sham, conducted hastily at night and designed to secure a conviction rather than administer justice. The phrase "there arose certain" indicates that witnesses were brought forward, likely by the Sanhedrin members themselves, to provide testimony that would support their predetermined agenda. This account is corroborated by other Gospels, such as Matthew 26:59-60, which notes that "many false witnesses came forward."

Key Themes

  • Injustice and Perjury: The core of this verse is the deliberate act of "false witness." This was a direct violation of the Ninth Commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour" (Exodus 20:16). The Sanhedrin, supposedly upholders of God's law, actively facilitated perjury to achieve their desired outcome against Jesus.
  • Opposition to Truth: The accusations against Jesus were not just legally false; they were a rejection of the divine truth He embodied. The world, represented by these religious leaders, often reacts with hostility and fabrication when confronted with pure, unadulterated truth.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' unjust suffering and false accusations were part of God's sovereign plan, foretold centuries earlier. Prophets like Isaiah spoke of the Messiah being "oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth" (Isaiah 53:7), enduring injustice without protest.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "bare false witness" translates from the Greek pseudomartyria (ψευδομαρτυρία) or related verbs like pseudomartyreo (ψευδομαρτυρέω), meaning "to give false testimony" or "to bear false witness." The prefix pseudo- clearly denotes falsehood, highlighting the deliberate and deceitful nature of the accusations brought against Jesus. This was not a misunderstanding, but a conscious act of perjury intended to condemn an innocent man.

Practical Application

Mark 14:57 serves as a stark reminder of the reality of injustice and the prevalence of false accusations, even against the innocent. For believers, it highlights:

  • The Cost of Following Christ: Jesus Himself faced extreme slander and persecution. Those who follow Him may also encounter similar unfair treatment and false accusations (John 15:20).
  • Standing for Truth: The verse implicitly calls believers to uphold truth and integrity, never participating in or condoning false witness. Our words should reflect honesty and righteousness.
  • God's Sovereignty in Suffering: Even amidst profound injustice, God's plan was unfolding. Jesus' suffering was not random but purposeful, leading to the ultimate redemption of humanity (Acts 2:23). This offers comfort that God can work through even the most unjust circumstances.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 6:13

    And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law:

  • Acts 6:14

    For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us.

  • Matthew 26:60

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

  • Matthew 26:61

    And said, This [fellow] said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

  • Jeremiah 26:8

    Now it came to pass, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the LORD had commanded [him] to speak unto all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people took him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.

  • Jeremiah 26:9

    Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.

  • Mark 15:29

    And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest [it] in three days,

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