Devine Scripture

Mark 14:63

What does Mark 14:63 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:63 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:63 means

The high priest tears his clothes and says, “What further need have we of witnesses?” Outrage explodes into symbolic mourning and judicial theater. He treats Jesus’ truthful confession as blasphemy, bypassing the failed witness process. The gesture signals a verdict already chosen. Ironically, the high priest condemns the true High Priest. His dramatic reaction rallies the council to render judgment. Human authority, offended by divine claim, moves swiftly to punish the One who rightfully holds the seat at God’s right hand.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What further need have we of witnesses?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What further need have we of witnesses?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the high priest, violently parting his robes, said, What more need have we of witnesses?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And the chief priest, having rent his garments, saith, `What need have we yet of witnesses?

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: What need we any further witnesses?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And the high priest, having rent his clothes, says, What need have we any more of witnesses?

Context

Following Jesus’ exalted claim, the high priest reacts with torn garments, a sign of shock and scandal. This short-circuits the need for more testimony and leads directly to the council’s question and unanimous condemnation in the next verse. The transition from chaotic witness search to decisive verdict is complete. The narrative will then show Jesus being mocked and beaten, even as Peter’s denials begin in the courtyard below, forming a dark mirror of rejection inside and outside.

v.62And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

v.63This passage

v.64Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be worthy of death.

Cross references

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

  • Numbers 14:6

    And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of them that spied out the land, rent their clothes:

  • Leviticus 21:10

    And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head go loose, nor rend his clothes;

  • Matthew 26:65

    Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy: what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy:

  • Isaiah 36:22

    Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.

  • Acts 14:13

    And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes.

  • Jeremiah 36:23

    And it came to pass, when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, that the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier.

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