Matthew 26:59

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

Now {G1161} the chief priests {G749}, and {G2532} elders {G4245}, and {G2532} all {G3650} the council {G4892}, sought {G2212} false witness {G5577} against {G2596} Jesus {G2424}, to {G3704} put {G2289} him {G846} to death {G2289};

The head cohanim and the whole Sanhedrin looked for some false evidence against Yeshua, so that they might put him to death.

Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.

Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;

Context

Matthew 26:59 describes a pivotal moment in the Passion narrative: the illegal night trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, the supreme Jewish judicial and ecclesiastical council. This verse follows directly after Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane and his being led to the high priest Caiaphas's house. The urgency and secrecy of this trial, conducted under the cover of darkness, immediately signal its illegitimate nature, as Jewish law typically forbade capital trials at night or during festivals like Passover. The verse sets the stage for a kangaroo court designed not to seek truth, but to secure a conviction.

Key Themes

  • Judicial Corruption and Injustice: The verse explicitly states the council "sought false witness against Jesus." This was not a search for truth but a deliberate attempt to fabricate charges to achieve a predetermined outcome: His death. It highlights a profound perversion of justice by those entrusted with upholding the law.
  • Premeditated Malice: The phrase "to put him to death" reveals the ultimate, malicious intent behind the Sanhedrin's actions. Their desire was not merely to silence Jesus or discredit Him, but to eliminate Him entirely, demonstrating their fear and rejection of His claims and teachings.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: While not directly stated in this verse, the unjust trial and subsequent condemnation of Jesus fulfill numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering Messiah, who would be rejected and afflicted for the sins of His people.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek phrase translated "false witness" is pseudomartyria (ψευδομαρτυρία), a compound word meaning "false testimony" or "perjury." This term directly connects to the Ninth Commandment, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour" (Exodus 20:16). The very body meant to uphold God's law was actively violating one of its core tenets, underscoring the depth of their moral and spiritual corruption.

Related Scriptures

  • This event is paralleled in the other Synoptic Gospels: Mark 14:55 and Luke 22:66.
  • The subsequent verses in Matthew detail the specific false testimonies brought against Jesus, highlighting their inconsistencies (Matthew 26:60-61).
  • This initial trial ultimately led to Jesus being handed over to Pontius Pilate, as the Jewish council lacked the authority to execute capital punishment under Roman rule (John 18:31).

Practical Application

Matthew 26:59 reminds us that even in the face of profound injustice and human conspiracy, God's sovereign plan unfolds. For believers, it offers comfort that Christ Himself endured false accusations and wrongful condemnation, making Him a relatable High Priest who understands our suffering. It also serves as a somber warning against the dangers of religious hypocrisy and the perversion of truth for personal or institutional gain. We are called to seek truth and justice, even when it is unpopular, and to trust in God's ultimate vindication.

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.

  • Mark 14:55

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

  • Mark 14:56

    For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

  • Deuteronomy 19:16

    If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him [that which is] wrong;

  • Deuteronomy 19:21

    And thine eye shall not pity; [but] life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

  • Acts 6:11

    Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

  • 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:

  • Psalms 94:20

    Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

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