Matthew 26:66

What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.

What {G5101} think {G1380} ye {G5213}? They answered {G611} and {G1161} said {G2036}, He is {G2076} guilty {G1777} of death {G2288}.

What is your verdict?" "Guilty," they answered. "He deserves death!"

What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.

what think ye? They answered and said, He is worthy of death.

Commentary

Commentary on Matthew 26:66

Matthew 26:66 records the chilling and pivotal verdict of the Sanhedrin against Jesus: "What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death." This verse marks the culmination of the Jewish leaders' efforts to condemn Jesus, setting the stage for His eventual crucifixion.

Context of the Verdict

This dramatic moment occurs during Jesus's illegal night trial before the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, presided over by High Priest Caiaphas. After failing to find consistent false testimony against Jesus, Caiaphas directly challenged Jesus, asking if He was the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus's profound and unequivocal affirmation in Matthew 26:64—stating that He was indeed the Son of Man who would come in power and glory—was immediately seized upon by Caiaphas. The high priest tore his robes, a dramatic gesture signifying outrage and blasphemy (Matthew 26:65). With this declaration, the assembled council rendered their unanimous judgment, declaring Jesus worthy of the death penalty.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unjust Judgment and Condemnation: The trial of Jesus was a travesty of justice, violating numerous principles of Jewish law. The swift verdict, following what the leaders considered a clear confession of blasphemy, reveals a predetermined outcome driven by envy, fear, and a refusal to accept Jesus's divine claims. This highlights the inherent corruption of human systems when confronted with divine truth.
  • Rejection of the Messiah: The very religious leaders who were supposed to guide the people to God and recognize the promised Messiah instead condemned Him for His true identity. This profound rejection of God's Son underscores the blindness and spiritual rebellion of those in authority.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Despite the profound injustice, this verdict was part of God's sovereign plan for salvation. Jesus's condemnation by the Sanhedrin paved the way for His crucifixion, which was necessary to provide atonement for the sins of humanity. This event fulfills numerous Old Testament prophecies concerning the suffering servant, who would be unjustly judged and silenced (e.g., Isaiah 53:7).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "guilty of death" in the KJV (Greek: enochos thanatou) is a definitive legal pronouncement. It means "liable to the death penalty" or "deserving of death." For the Sanhedrin, Jesus's claim to be the Son of God and the coming Son of Man was interpreted as the highest form of blasphemy, a capital offense under their interpretation of the Mosaic Law.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the world's capacity to reject divine truth and condemn righteousness. It challenges believers to stand firm in their faith, even when facing opposition, misunderstanding, or unjust accusations. The Sanhedrin's verdict against Jesus was a profound act of human rejection, yet it was precisely through this condemnation that God's ultimate plan of redemption was accomplished.

It also deepens our appreciation for Jesus's incredible sacrifice. He willingly accepted this unjust verdict, knowing it was the path to provide salvation for humanity. His submission to this condemnation highlights His boundless love, obedience to the Father's will, and the immense cost of our redemption.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 19:7

    The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

  • Acts 7:52

    Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:

  • Leviticus 24:11

    And the Israelitish woman's son blasphemed the name [of the LORD], and cursed. And they brought him unto Moses: (and his mother's name [was] Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan:)

  • Leviticus 24:16

    And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, [and] all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name [of the LORD], shall be put to death.

  • James 5:6

    Ye have condemned [and] killed the just; [and] he doth not resist you.

  • Acts 13:27

    For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled [them] in condemning [him].

  • Acts 13:28

    And though they found no cause of death [in him], yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain.
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