Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:59

What does Matthew 26:59 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:59 means

The chief priests and the whole council seek false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death. They are determined to convict him, so they solicit perjury rather than truth. The phrase 'sought false witness' underscores their moral corruption and legal manipulation. Their aim is clear: to secure capital punishment. The verse reveals the malicious lengths religious authorities go to remove Jesus, including breaking legal and ethical norms to manufacture a case against an innocent man.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for false witness against Jesus, so that they might put him to death;

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the chief priests, and the elders, and all the council, were seeking false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the chief priests and the elders and the whole sanhedrim sought false witness against Jesus, so that they might put him to death.

Context

This verse follows the positioning of Jesus and Peter at Caiaphas’ house and reveals the council’s corrupt strategy. It amplifies the theme of unjust persecution and sets up the sequence of false witnesses. For readers, the verse clarifies the illegal and immoral character of the proceedings against Jesus.

v.58But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end.

v.59This passage

v.60and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two,

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 25:18

    A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

  • Matthew 5:22

    but I say unto you, that every one who is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; and whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of the hell of fire.

  • Psalms 27:12

    Deliver me not over unto the will of mine adversaries: For false witnesses are risen up against me, And such as breathe out cruelty.

  • Psalms 94:20

    Shall the throne of wickedness have fellowship with thee, Which frameth mischief by statute?

  • Acts 24:1

    And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with certain elders, andwithan orator, one Tertullus; and they informed the governor against Paul.

  • Mark 14:55

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

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