Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:61

What does Matthew 26:61 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:61 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:61 means

Two witnesses say Jesus claimed he could destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days. This accusation misconstrues Jesus’ prior statements about his body and the temple, repurposing metaphor as literal blasphemy. The charge implicates Jesus in sacrilegious, seditious speech that could justify a death sentence. The verse shows the twisting of Jesus’ teaching into a capital crime and the willingness of witnesses to misrepresent his words to secure his condemnation.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But later there came two who said, This man said, I am able to give the Temple of God to destruction, and to put it up again in three days.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

said, `This one said, I am able to throw down the sanctuary of God, and after three days to build it.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And they said: This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and after three days to rebuild it.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

and said, He said, I am able to destroy the temple ofGod, and in three days build it.

Context

This verse follows the council’s successful procurement of two witnesses and presents the substance of their charge. It links to earlier temple imagery in Jesus’ teaching and will provoke his response. For readers, the verse reveals how Jesus’ enigmatic sayings are used against him, setting up the pivotal moment when he must identify himself before the council.

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

v.61This passage

v.62And the high priest stood up, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

Cross references

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

  • Genesis 19:9

    And they said, Stand back. And they said, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and drew near to break the door.

  • Acts 6:13

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

  • John 2:19

    Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.

  • Matthew 26:71

    And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Psalms 22:6

    But I am a worm, and no man; A reproach of men, and despised of the people.

  • John 9:29

    We know that God hath spoken unto Moses: but as for this man, we know not whence he is.

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