Mark 14:59

KJV

But neither so did their witness agree together.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G2532} neither {G3761} so {G3779} did {G2470} their {G846} witness {G3141} agree together {G2258}{G2470}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Even so, their testimonies didn't agree.

Berean Standard Bible

But even their testimony was inconsistent.

American Standard Version

And not even so did their witness agree together.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:59 succinctly exposes the profound injustice and legal travesty of Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin. Despite the desperate efforts of the chief priests and the entire council to secure a death sentence, the numerous false witnesses they presented could not maintain a consistent or credible testimony. This verse underscores the inherent unreliability of deceit and highlights Jesus' blamelessness, even as it reveals the predetermined malice of His accusers, whose judicial process was a mere pretense for condemnation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Mark 14:59 is situated within the dramatic narrative of Jesus' arrest and trial before the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, following His betrayal by Judas and His prayer in Gethsemane. The preceding verses [Mark 14:55-58](/mark/14-55-58 "Mark 14:55-58 - The Sanhedrin Seeks False Witness") detail the council's frantic attempts to find "witness against Jesus to put him to death." Despite many coming forward with accusations, their testimonies were contradictory and insufficient. This verse specifically highlights the failure of these false witnesses to provide a unified or legally sound accusation, directly preceding the High Priest's direct interrogation of Jesus regarding His identity as the Christ [Mark 14:60-61](/mark/14-60-61 "Mark 14:60-61 - The High Priest Interrogates Jesus"). The narrative flow emphasizes the illegitimacy of the trial, where the verdict was already decided, and the legal proceedings were a mere charade.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sanhedrin was the supreme Jewish judicial and ecclesiastical body, consisting of 71 members, including chief priests, elders, and scribes. Jewish law, particularly as codified in the Mosaic Law, required the testimony of "two or three witnesses" to establish a charge, and these witnesses' accounts had to be consistent and credible [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses"). Perjury was a serious offense, punishable by the very penalty the accused would have faced if convicted [Deuteronomy 19:18-19](/deuteronomy/19-18-19 "Deuteronomy 19:18-19 - Punishment for False Witness"). The Sanhedrin's actions in this trial, including seeking false witnesses and accepting inconsistent testimonies, represent a blatant disregard for their own legal and moral codes, driven by their intense animosity and fear of Jesus' growing influence and claims. The trial was held at night, which was also irregular for capital cases under Jewish law.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **unreliability of false witness** and the inherent self-defeating nature of deceit. Even when conspiring, liars often fail to maintain a coherent narrative, thereby exposing their fabrication. This underscores the moral bankruptcy of Jesus' accusers. Secondly, it highlights **Jesus' innocence**; the inability of the Sanhedrin to produce credible, consistent charges emphatically demonstrates His blamelessness. He was condemned not for any crime He committed, but out of envy and fear by those in power, a fact even Pilate discerned [Mark 15:10](/mark/15-10 "Mark 15:10 - Pilate's Understanding of Envy"). Thirdly, despite the profound injustice, this flawed trial was an integral part of **God's sovereign plan** for Jesus to suffer and die for humanity's sins, fulfilling prophecies concerning the Messiah's suffering, such as the silent suffering servant in [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **witness (Greek, _martyría'_):** From G3141, meaning "evidence given (judicially or genitive case)." This term refers to the testimony or evidence presented in a legal context. In Mark 14:59, it specifically denotes the accusations brought against Jesus by various individuals. The fact that these "witnesses" were false highlights a perversion of the legal process, as their "evidence" was fabricated and lacked integrity, rendering it legally invalid according to Jewish law.
* **agree together (Greek, _ísos'_):** From G2470, meaning "similar (in amount and kind), equal, like." Used in conjunction with the imperfect form of "to be" (G2258, _ēn_), this word conveys the idea of consistency or harmony. The phrase "did their witness agree together" (οὐδὲ οὕτως ἴση ἦν ἡ μαρτυρία αὐτῶν) literally means "neither in this way was their testimony equal/alike." It emphasizes the lack of congruence and uniformity in the accounts of the false witnesses, which was a critical flaw in their attempt to condemn Jesus.
* **neither (Greek, _oudé'_):** From G3761, meaning "not however, i.e. neither, nor, not even." This strong negative particle emphasizes the complete failure of the witnesses to provide a consistent testimony. It underscores the absolute lack of agreement among them, highlighting the futility of the Sanhedrin's efforts to find a legitimate basis for conviction. The use of "neither" here reinforces the depth of the legal sham.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But neither so":** This opening phrase, using the Greek conjunction _kai_ (G2532, "but") and the adverb _houtō_ (G3779, "so/in this way"), serves as a strong adversative, indicating a direct contrast to the preceding attempts to find consistent testimony. It signifies that despite all efforts and the bringing forth of many witnesses, the desired outcome of a unified accusation was not achieved. The "so" refers to the manner or quality of witness required for a legal conviction.
* **"did their witness agree together":** This is the core assertion of the verse. The term "witness" (G3141, _martyría_) refers to the collective testimony presented by the accusers. The phrase "agree together" (G2470, _ísos_, in conjunction with G2258, _ēn_) indicates a lack of consistency, equality, or harmony in their accounts. This clause reveals the fatal flaw in the prosecution's case: the testimonies were contradictory, rendering them legally invalid and exposing the malicious intent behind the trial.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:59 employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Irony** is prominent, as the very judicial body meant to uphold justice and truth resorts to blatant falsehood and perjury, only to have their deceit exposed by its own inconsistency. The Sanhedrin's desperate attempts to condemn Jesus ultimately highlight His innocence. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**; the failure of human legal systems to condemn Jesus on legitimate grounds foreshadows His ultimate vindication and the divine nature of His sacrifice, which transcends human judgment. The verse also functions as a **Contrast** between the chaotic, inconsistent testimonies of the false witnesses and the silent, unwavering truth embodied by Jesus, who remains steadfast in the face of injustice. This contrast emphasizes the moral and spiritual chasm between Jesus and His accusers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:59 profoundly illustrates the human capacity for injustice and the inherent weakness of falsehood when confronted with divine truth. The inability of the false witnesses to agree underscores the moral bankruptcy of the Sanhedrin and the predetermined nature of their condemnation of Jesus. This verse serves as a stark reminder that even in the face of overwhelming opposition and a rigged system, God's sovereign plan for redemption cannot be thwarted. Jesus' blamelessness, highlighted by the failed attempts to secure a consistent charge, emphasizes His purity as the sacrificial Lamb, whose death was not a consequence of His sin but a deliberate act of divine love to atone for humanity's sin. It shows that even when human justice fails, divine justice and purpose prevail.

* [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses")
* [Psalm 27:12](/psalms/27-12 "Psalm 27:12 - False Witnesses Rise Up")
* [Proverbs 19:5](/proverbs/19-5 "Proverbs 19:5 - A False Witness Will Not Go Unpunished")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:59 offers profound lessons for believers navigating a world often marked by deceit and injustice. Just as the Sanhedrin's lies unraveled, this verse reminds us that truth ultimately prevails, and falsehood, no matter how cunningly crafted, carries the seeds of its own destruction. It calls us to embody integrity and honesty in all our interactions, understanding that our witness for Christ is strengthened by our commitment to truth. Furthermore, Jesus' experience teaches us how to respond when we face false accusations or unfair treatment. We are called to trust in God's ultimate justice and sovereignty, knowing that even when human systems fail, God remains on His throne. This verse also encourages spiritual discernment, urging us to critically evaluate information and "test the spirits" [1_john/4-1](/1_john/4-1 "1 John 4:1 - Test the Spirits") to distinguish between truth and deception, especially in matters of faith and doctrine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the failure of the false witnesses to agree together affirm Jesus' innocence and the integrity of God's plan?**
* **In what ways might we, as believers, be tempted to compromise truth for convenience or personal gain, and what does this verse teach us about the consequences of such actions?**
* **How can we cultivate greater discernment in a world where misinformation and false narratives are prevalent?**

### FAQ
**Why was it so important for the witnesses' testimonies to "agree together" in Jewish law?**

Answer: Under Jewish law, particularly as outlined in the Mosaic Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Law of Two or Three Witnesses")), the testimony of "two or three witnesses" was required to establish a charge, especially in capital cases. Crucially, their accounts had to be consistent and credible. This requirement served as a safeguard against false accusations and ensured a fair legal process. Inconsistencies or contradictions among witnesses would invalidate their testimony, preventing a conviction. The fact that the Sanhedrin's witnesses could not agree together in [Mark 14:59](/mark/14-59 "Mark 14:59 - The Witnesses Disagree") exposed the illegitimacy of their proceedings and their blatant disregard for their own legal standards.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Mark 14:59, by highlighting the utter failure of false witness against Jesus, powerfully underscores His perfect innocence and, by extension, His qualification as the spotless Lamb of God. The inability of the Sanhedrin to find a legitimate charge against Him, despite their desperate attempts, points to the profound truth that Jesus was without sin, a prerequisite for His atoning sacrifice. This divine blamelessness is central to the New Testament's understanding of His work; He "committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth" [1_peter/2-22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness"). His unjust condemnation, therefore, was not a consequence of His own wrongdoing but a deliberate act of God's redemptive plan, fulfilling prophecies of the suffering servant who would be "cut off out of the land of the living" for the transgression of others [isaiah/53-8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - The Suffering Servant Cut Off"). The very failure of human justice in [Mark 14:59](/mark/14-59 "Mark 14:59 - The Witnesses Disagree") serves to magnify the perfect, divine justice enacted on the cross, where Christ, the innocent one, bore the sins of the guilty, becoming "sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" [2_corinthians/5-21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Becomes Sin for Us"). His blamelessness, affirmed by the very failure of His accusers, ensures the efficacy of His sacrifice, offering true reconciliation and redemption to all who believe.

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.