Mark 14:57
Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:
Then some stood up
This phrase indicates a deliberate action taken by certain individuals during the trial of Jesus. The Greek word for "stood up" is "ἀναστάντες" (anastantes), which implies a rising or standing with purpose. In the context of a trial, this suggests a formal and possibly premeditated act. Historically, standing up in a court setting was a sign of authority or readiness to present a case. This action reflects the gravity of the moment and the intent of those who were about to speak against Jesus.

and gave false testimony
The term "false testimony" is translated from the Greek "ψευδομαρτυρίαν" (pseudomarturian), which combines "pseudo" (false) and "marturia" (testimony or witness). This indicates that the testimony was not only incorrect but intentionally deceitful. In the Jewish legal system, bearing false witness was a serious offense, as outlined in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16). The act of giving false testimony against Jesus highlights the moral and legal corruption present in His trial. It underscores the fulfillment of prophetic scriptures, such as Psalm 27:12, where David speaks of false witnesses rising against him.

against Him
The phrase "against Him" emphasizes the direct opposition to Jesus. The Greek preposition "κατά" (kata) is used here, which often denotes hostility or opposition. This reflects the adversarial nature of the trial and the intent to harm Jesus' reputation and mission. Historically, Jesus faced significant opposition from religious leaders who felt threatened by His teachings and growing influence. This opposition was not just personal but was seen as a challenge to the established religious order.

stating
The word "stating" comes from the Greek "λέγοντες" (legontes), which means to say or declare. This implies that the false testimony was presented as a formal declaration, intended to be taken seriously by the council. In the context of a trial, such statements were meant to sway the judgment of the authorities. The use of "stating" indicates that the false witnesses were not merely offering opinions but were making assertive claims intended to convict Jesus. This reflects the gravity of the situation and the malicious intent behind their words.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jesus Christ
The central figure of the New Testament, who is being falsely accused during His trial before the Sanhedrin.

2. False Witnesses
Individuals who stood up to give false testimony against Jesus, contributing to the unjust trial.

3. Sanhedrin
The Jewish council and court that held the trial of Jesus, seeking to find grounds for His execution.

4. Jerusalem
The city where these events took place, specifically in the vicinity of the high priest's residence.

5. High Priest
The Jewish religious leader presiding over the trial, seeking to condemn Jesus.
Teaching Points
The Sin of Bearing False Witness
Bearing false witness is a direct violation of God's commandments and leads to injustice and harm.

The Injustice of Jesus' Trial
Jesus' trial was marked by falsehood and manipulation, reminding us of the world's opposition to truth and righteousness.

Standing Firm in Truth
As followers of Christ, we are called to stand firm in truth, even when faced with false accusations or persecution.

God's Sovereignty in Trials
Despite the false testimony, God's sovereign plan was at work, leading to the fulfillment of prophecy and redemption through Jesus' sacrifice.

The Example of Christ's Response
Jesus' calm and composed response to false accusations serves as a model for us in handling unjust situations with grace and trust in God.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the commandment against bearing false witness in Exodus 20:16 relate to the actions of the false witnesses in Mark 14:57?

2. In what ways can we prepare ourselves to stand firm in truth when faced with false accusations or misunderstandings?

3. How does the account of Jesus' trial in Mark 14:57 challenge us to respond to injustice in our own lives?

4. What can we learn from Jesus' example in handling false accusations that can be applied to our interactions with others?

5. How does understanding God's sovereignty in the midst of Jesus' trial encourage us in our own trials and challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:16
The commandment against bearing false witness, highlighting the sinfulness of the actions of those testifying against Jesus.

Psalm 27:12
A plea for deliverance from false witnesses, reflecting the situation Jesus faced.

Matthew 26:59-61
A parallel account of the false testimony against Jesus, providing additional context.

Acts 6:13
The account of false witnesses against Stephen, showing a pattern of opposition against God's servants.

John 18:19-24
Jesus' interaction with the high priest, providing further insight into the trial proceedings.
Peter's FallR. Green Mark 14:27-31, 66-72
Heaven's Righteous King At Earth's Unrighteous Judgment-SeatR. Green Mark 14:53-65; 15:1-5
First Trial of JesusE. Johnson Mark 14:53-65
Jesus At the Bar of JudaismA.F. Muir Mark 14:53-65
The Denial by PeterJ.J. Given Mark 14:53-72
Peter Denying ChristA.F. Muir Mark 14:54, 66-72
People
James, Jesus, John, Judas, Peter, Simon
Places
Bethany, Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives
Topics
FALSE, Bearing, Bore, Declared, Falsely, Forward, Got, Persons, Risen, Rose, Saying, Stood, Testimony, Witness, Witnesses
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Mark 14:53-65

     5593   trial

Mark 14:55-59

     5202   accusation, false
     5440   perjury
     6163   faults
     8751   false witness

Mark 14:55-61

     6126   condemnation, human

Mark 14:55-65

     2585   Christ, trial

Mark 14:55-72

     5879   humiliation

Mark 14:56-59

     7915   confirmation

Mark 14:57-58

     7540   Judaism

Library
July 28 Evening
Let your requests be made known unto God.--PHIL. 4:6. Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.--There was given to me a thorn in the flesh. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities. I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

July 18 Evening
She hath done what she could.--MARK 14:8. This poor widow hath cast in more than they all.--Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.--If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.--If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

February 7 Evening
Jesus . . . was moved with compassion toward them.--MATT. 14:14. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.--We have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.--Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way.--He cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily Path

'Is it I?'
'Is it I?'--Mark xiv. 19 The scene shows that Judas had not as yet drawn any suspicion on himself. Here the Apostles seem to be higher than their ordinary stature; for they do not take to questioning one another, or even to protest, 'No!' but to questioning Christ. I. The solemn prophecy. It seems strange at first sight that our Lord should have introduced such thoughts then, disturbing the sweet repose of that hallowed hour. But the terrible fact of the betrayal was naturally suggested by the emblems
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Sleeping Apostle
'Simon, sleepest thou!'--Mark xiv. 37 It is a very old Christian tradition that this Gospel is in some sense the Apostle Peter's. There are not many features in the Gospel itself which can be relied on as confirming this idea. Perhaps one such may be found in this plaintive remonstrance, which is only preserved for us here. Matthew's Gospel, indeed, tells us that the rebuke was addressed to Peter, but blunts the sharp point of it as directed to him, by throwing it into the plural, as if spoken to
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

A Secret Rendezvous
'And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the pastorer, His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the passover? 13. And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples?
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Passover
'And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover, the disciples said unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we go and prepare that Thou mayest eat the Passover? 13. And He sendeth forth two of His disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. 14. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'Strong Crying and Tears'
'And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and He saith to His disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. 33. And He taketh with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34. And saith onto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. 35. And He went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Captive Christ and the Circle Round Him
'And immediately, while He yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44. And he that betrayed Him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He; take Him, and lead Him away safely. 45. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to Him, and saith, Master, Master; and kissed Him. 46. And they laid their hands on Him, and took Him. 47. And one of them that
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Condemnation which Condemns the Judges
'And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and found none. 56. For many bare false witness against Him, but their witness agreed not together. 57. And there arose certain, and bare false witness against Him, saying, 58. We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands. 59. But neither so did their witness agree together. 60. And the high priest stood up in their
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Alabaster Box
'And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on Me.... 8. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint My body to the burying. 9. Verily I say unto you. Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.'--Mark xiv. 6-9. John's Gospel sets this incident in its due framework of time and place, and tells us the names of the actors. The time was within a week
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Questions About the Lord's Supper
THE paper which begins at this page requires a few words of prefatory explanation. It consists of fifty-one questions about the Lord's Supper, with special reference to points which are the subject of much dispute and controversy in the present day. It supplies fifty-one answers to these questions, chiefly drawn from the New Testament, and the Articles, Communion Service, and Catechism of the Church of England. It contains, in addition, some valuable extracts from the writings of standard English
John Charles Ryle—The Upper Room: Being a Few Truths for the Times

That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare Himself with Great Diligence
The Voice of the Beloved I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the larger upper room furnished, and I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I come unto thee and abide with thee, purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse the habitation of thy heart. Shut out the whole world, and all the throng of sins; sit as a sparrow alone upon the house-top,(3) and think upon thy transgressions
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Twenty-Eighth Lesson. Father! not what I Will;'
Father! Not what I will;' Or, Christ the Sacrifice. And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto Thee; remove this cup from me: howbeit not what I will, but what Thou wilt.'--Mark xiv. 36. WHAT a contrast within the space of a few hours! What a transition from the quiet elevation of that, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, FATHER I WILL,' to that falling on the ground and crying in agony. My Father! Not what I will.' In the one we see the High Priest within the veil in His
Andrew Murray—With Christ in the School of Prayer

Letter xiii. Christian Activity.
"She hath done what she could."--MARK 14:8. MY DEAR SISTER, You doubtless feel a deep interest in the great benevolent enterprises of the present day. No one who possesses the spirit of our Master can be indifferent towards them. It is important, then, that you should know what you can do towards moving forward these enterprises. For, remember that your obligation is as extensive as your ability. Christ commended the woman, referred to in the passage above quoted for doing "what she could."
Harvey Newcomb—A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females

Mark.
Commentaries. George Petter (the largest Com. on M., London, 1661, 2 vols. fol.); C. Fr. A. Fritzsche (Evangelium Marci, Lips., 1830); A. Klostermann (Das Marcusevangelium nach seinem Quellenwerthe für die evang. Gesch., Göttingen, 1867); B. Weiss (Das Marcusevangelium und seine synopt. Parallelen, Berlin, 1872); Meyer (6th ed. by Weiss, Gött., 1878); Joseph A. Alexander (New York, 1858, and London, 1866); Harvey Goodwin (London, 1860); John H. Godwin (London, 1869); James Morison
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

"She Hath done what She Could. " Mark 14:8.
"She hath done what she could." Mark 14:8. 1 Bless, O bless, Almighty Father, Woman's mission with our race,-- Her fond strivings here to gather Fruits of thy redeeming grace. 2 Though her way be not where honor Wins the gazing world's acclaim, Yet we bless thee that upon her Rests the power of Jesus' name. 3 In that name, O Father, strengthen Her full heart and ready hands; May her efforts serve to lengthen Christian love's encircling bands. 4 Where the mourning and the needy And the suffering
J.G. Adams—Hymns for Christian Devotion

Jerusalem
For the history of the disciples after the death of Jesus we are dependent upon a single source, the Acts of the Apostles, which can, however, be controlled, and to some extent corrected, by the gospels and by the epistles of Paul. It is now generally recognised that if any one wishes to write a life of Christ he ought to base his work not on the gospels as we have them now, but rather on the information provided by the critical analysis of the gospels as to their sources. These sources, or at least
Kirsopp Lake—Landmarks in the History of Early Christianity

Watch and Pray. --Mark. xiv. 38
Watch and Pray.--Mark. xiv. 38. Our Saviour's words are "Watch and Pray:" Lord, make us willing to obey; Lord, make us able to fulfil Thy counsel--give both power and will. The wisdom from above impart, To keep our hand, and tongue, and heart, In thought, word, deed,--that so we may Pray whilst we watch, watch while we pray. Lest while we watch, and fear no snare, We fall into neglect of prayer; Or, while we pray, and watch not, sin Creep like a subtil serpent in. When by an evil world beset,
James Montgomery—Sacred Poems and Hymns

As the Rind of a Pomegranate are Thy Cheeks, Besides that which is Hidden Within.
As the rind of the pomegranate is the least part of it, and includes all its excellence, so with this soul, its exterior appears of small account in comparison with what is concealed within. [42] The interior is filled with, the purest charity and the most advanced graces, but hidden under a very common exterior; for God takes pleasure in hiding away the souls He destines for Himself. Men are not worthy to know them, though the angels admire and respect them even under the humblest external form
Madame Guyon—Song of Songs of Solomon

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