Mark 14:59

What does Mark 14:59 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:59 means

Even with this focused charge, their testimonies do not agree. The case remains legally weak. The failure underscores the purity of Jesus’ life and teaching and the corrupt motives of His accusers. Truth refuses to be harnessed by deceit. The inability to secure consistent witnesses forces the high priest to take another route: direct interrogation. Providentially, the weakness of lies makes room for the strongest testimony of all—the Lord’s own declaration of His identity, which will be the real reason they condemn Him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And not even so did their witness agree together.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But neither so did their witness agree together.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And not even so did their witness agree together.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And even so their witness was not in agreement.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and neither so was their testimony alike.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And their witness did not agree.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And neither thus did their testimony agree.

Context

After the temple accusation, the continued inconsistency frustrates the council’s effort. The narrative tension now shifts toward the high priest’s personal challenge to Jesus. With witnesses failing, he will seek to elicit self-incriminating words. The next verses record Jesus’ silence, then the high priest’s direct question about whether He is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed. Jesus’ answer will become the trial’s turning point and lead to the verdict.

v.58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.

v.59This passage

v.60And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

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