Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
Now
The use of "Now" serves as a transition, indicating a shift in the narrative. It connects the preceding events, where Jesus was arrested, to the current scene of His trial. This word underscores the immediacy and urgency of the actions taken by the religious leaders. In the Greek, "νῦν" (nun) often signifies a present moment, emphasizing the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through the events leading to the crucifixion.

the chief priests
The "chief priests" were influential leaders within the Jewish religious hierarchy, primarily from the Sadducees. They held significant power in the Sanhedrin and were responsible for temple rituals. Historically, the chief priests were often seen as collaborators with Roman authorities, prioritizing political stability over spiritual integrity. Their involvement in seeking Jesus' death highlights the deep-seated opposition He faced from established religious institutions.

and the whole Sanhedrin
The "Sanhedrin" was the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews, composed of 71 members, including the high priest, elders, and scribes. It functioned as both a religious and legal body. The phrase "the whole Sanhedrin" suggests a unified front against Jesus, reflecting the widespread rejection He encountered from the Jewish leadership. This assembly's role in the trial underscores the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the Messiah's suffering at the hands of His own people.

were seeking
The phrase "were seeking" indicates a deliberate and active pursuit. In Greek, "ἐζήτουν" (ezētoun) conveys a continuous action, suggesting that the leaders were persistently looking for a way to condemn Jesus. This relentless search for evidence against Him reveals their hardened hearts and unwillingness to accept His divine authority and teachings.

false testimony
"False testimony" refers to fabricated or deceitful evidence. The Greek word "ψευδομαρτυρίαν" (pseudomarturian) combines "pseudo" (false) and "marturia" (testimony), highlighting the intentional deception involved. This act of seeking false witnesses is a direct violation of the Ninth Commandment, which prohibits bearing false witness. It underscores the moral corruption and hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who were willing to break God's law to achieve their ends.

against Jesus
The focus of their efforts was "against Jesus," the central figure of the Gospel. This opposition is not merely a legal matter but a spiritual conflict. Jesus, the sinless Son of God, stood in stark contrast to the sinful motives of His accusers. Theologically, this highlights the enmity between the kingdom of God and the forces of darkness, as Jesus' mission threatened the established religious order.

in order to put Him to death
The ultimate goal of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin was "to put Him to death." This phrase reveals the premeditated nature of their actions. In the context of Jewish law, capital punishment required substantial evidence and careful deliberation, yet here, the leaders sought to circumvent justice. This reflects the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, such as Isaiah 53, which foretold the suffering and death of the Messiah. From a conservative Christian perspective, this verse underscores the sacrificial nature of Jesus' mission, as He willingly faced false accusations and death to fulfill God's redemptive plan for humanity.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Chief Priests
Religious leaders in Jerusalem who held significant power and influence. They were responsible for temple rituals and were often involved in political matters.

2. Sanhedrin
The highest Jewish council and court in Jerusalem, composed of chief priests, elders, and scribes. It held authority over religious and some civil matters.

3. False Testimony
The act of providing untrue statements or evidence. In this context, it refers to the deliberate attempt to find false witnesses against Jesus.

4. Jesus
The central figure of Christianity, believed to be the Messiah and Son of God. At this point in the account, He is facing trial and eventual crucifixion.

5. Death Sentence
The ultimate goal of the chief priests and Sanhedrin was to have Jesus executed, which they sought to achieve through false testimony.
Teaching Points
The Danger of False Witness
Bearing false witness is a serious sin that can lead to grave injustice. Christians are called to uphold truth and integrity in all circumstances.

The Corruption of Power
The chief priests and Sanhedrin abused their authority for personal and political gain. Believers should be wary of how power can corrupt and lead to moral compromise.

Jesus' Innocence and Sacrifice
Despite the false accusations, Jesus remained innocent and willingly faced death for the salvation of humanity. This underscores His role as the sacrificial Lamb.

Standing Firm in Truth
Like Jesus, Christians are encouraged to stand firm in truth, even when facing false accusations or persecution.

The Fulfillment of Prophecy
The events leading to Jesus' crucifixion were foretold in Scripture, affirming the divine plan and purpose in His suffering and death.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the behavior of the chief priests and Sanhedrin in Matthew 26:59 reflect the human tendency to misuse power? Can you identify similar situations in today's world?

2. In what ways does the prohibition against bearing false witness in Exodus 20:16 apply to our daily lives, especially in the context of social media and public discourse?

3. How can we draw strength from Jesus' example when facing false accusations or unjust treatment in our own lives?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure that we are living truthfully and with integrity in our personal and professional relationships?

5. How does understanding the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' trial and crucifixion strengthen our faith in the reliability and divine inspiration of Scripture?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:16
This verse, part of the Ten Commandments, prohibits bearing false witness. The actions of the Sanhedrin directly violate this commandment.

Psalm 27:12
David's plea for deliverance from false witnesses parallels Jesus' situation, highlighting the theme of unjust persecution.

Mark 14:55-59
This passage provides a parallel account of the trial, emphasizing the consistency of the Gospel accounts regarding the false testimony against Jesus.

John 18:19-24
Offers insight into Jesus' response to His accusers, demonstrating His composure and truthfulness in the face of false accusations.
Christ Before CaiaphasMarcus Dods Matthew 26:57-68
The Demoralized CouncilJ.A. Macdonald Matthew 26:57-68
People
Caiaphas, Jesus, Judas, Peter, Simon, Zabdi, Zebedee
Places
Bethany, Galilee, Gethsemane, Jerusalem, Mount of Olives, Nazareth
Topics
FALSE, Council, Death, Elders, Evidence, Kept, Meanwhile, Obtain, Order, Priests, Sanhedrim, Sanhedrin, Seeking, Sought, Testimony, Trying, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Matthew 26:59

     7330   chief priests
     7734   leaders, spiritual

Matthew 26:57-59

     7378   high priest, NT

Matthew 26:57-60

     7464   teachers of the law

Matthew 26:57-68

     5593   trial
     7565   Sanhedrin

Matthew 26:59-60

     5276   crime
     5346   injury
     8716   dishonesty, examples

Matthew 26:59-61

     5202   accusation, false
     5348   injustice, nature and source
     5440   perjury
     5625   witnesses, false
     6163   faults
     7540   Judaism
     8751   false witness

Matthew 26:59-63

     6126   condemnation, human

Matthew 26:59-68

     2585   Christ, trial

Matthew 26:59-75

     2060   Christ, patience of
     5879   humiliation

Library
January 9. "Not as I Will, but as Thou Wilt" (Matt. xxvi. 39).
"Not as I will, but as Thou wilt" (Matt. xxvi. 39). "To will and do of His good pleasure" (Phil. ii. 13). There are two attitudes in which our will should be given to God. First. We should have the surrendered will. This is where we must all begin, by yielding up to God our natural will, and having Him possess it. But next, He wants us to have the victorious will. As soon as He receives our will in honest surrender, He wants to put His will into it and make it stronger than ever for Him. It is henceforth
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

November 29. "Could Ye not Watch with Me one Hour?" (Matt. xxvi. 40. )
"Could ye not watch with Me one hour?" (Matt. xxvi. 40.) A young lady whose parents had died while she was an infant, had been kindly cared for by a dear friend of the family. Before she was old enough to know him, he went to Europe. Regularly he wrote to her through all his years of absence, and never failed to send her money for all her wants. Finally word came that during a certain week he would return and visit her. He did not fix the day or the hour. She received several invitations to take
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

January 3. "Watch and Pray" (Matt. xxvi. 41).
"Watch and pray" (Matt. xxvi. 41). We need to watch for prayers as well as for the answers to our prayers. It needs as much wisdom to pray rightly as it does faith to receive the answers to our prayers. We met a friend the other day, who had been in years of darkness because God had failed to answer certain prayers, and the result had been a state bordering on infidelity. A very few moments were sufficient to convince this friend that these prayers had been entirely unauthorized, and that God had
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth

'Until that Day'
'I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.'--MATT. xxvi. 29. This remarkable saying of our Lord's is recorded in all of the accounts of the institution of the Lord's Supper. The thought embodied in it ought to be present in the minds of all who partake of that rite. It converts what is primarily a memorial into a prophecy. It bids us hope as well as, and because we, remember. The light behind us is cast forward on to
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Last Pleading of Love
'And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come?'--MATT. xxvi. 50. We are accustomed to think of the betrayer of our Lord as a kind of monster, whose crime is so mysterious in its atrocity as to put him beyond the pale of human sympathy. The awful picture which the great Italian poet draws of him as alone in hell, shunned even there, as guilty beyond all others, expresses the general feeling about him. And even the attempts which have been made to diminish the greatness of his guilt, by
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Jesus Charged with Blasphemy
'Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses?'--MATT. xxvi. 65. Jesus was tried and condemned by two tribunals, the Jewish ecclesiastical and the Roman civil. In each case the charge corresponded to the Court. The Sanhedrin took no cognisance of, and had no concern with, rebellion against Caesar; though for the time they pretended loyalty. Pilate had still less concern about Jewish superstitions. And so the investigation in each
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The New Passover
'Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt Thou that we prepare for Thee to eat the passover? 18. And He said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the passover at thy house with My disciples. 19. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover. 20. Now when the even was come, He sat down with the twelve. 21. And as they did eat, He said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

'This Cup'
'And Jesus took the cup, and grave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; 28. For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'--MATT. xxvi. 27, 28. The comparative silence of our Lord as to the sacrificial character of His death has very often been urged as a reason for doubting that doctrine, and for regarding it as no part of the original Christian teaching. That silence may be accounted for by sufficient reasons. It has been very much
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gethsemane, the Oil-Press
'Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. 37. And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. 38. Then saith He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with Me. 39. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless not as
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Real High Priest and his Counterfeit
'And they that had laid hold on Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58. But Peter followed Him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59. Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death; 60. But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61. And said,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Defence of Uncalculating Love
'Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7. There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on His head, as He sat at meat. 8. But when His disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9. For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 10. When Jesus understood it, He said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon Me. 11. For ye have the poor
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Power of Prayer in Relation to Outward Circumstances.
TEXT: MATT. xxvi. 36-46. TO be a religious man and to pray are really one and the same thing. To join the thought of God with every thought of any importance that occurs to us; in all our admiration of external nature, to regard it as the work of His wisdom; to take counsel with God about all our plans, that we may be able to carry them out in His name; and even in our most mirthful hours to remember His all-seeing eye; this is the prayer without ceasing to which we are called, and which is really
Friedrich Schleiermacher—Selected Sermons of Schleiermacher

An Awful Contrast
"Then did they spit in his face."--Matthew 26:67. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away."--Revelation 20:11. GUIDED BY OUR TEXT in Matthew's Gospel, let us first go in thought to the palace of Caiaphas the high priest, and there let us, in deepest sorrow, realize the meaning of these terrible words: "Then did they spit in his face." There is more of deep and awful thunder in them than in the bolt that bursts overhead, there is
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896

A Woman's Memorial
And now my prayer is that we may be endued this morning with the same spirit as that which prompted the woman, when she broke her alabaster box upon the head of Christ. There must be something wonderful about this story, or else Christ would not have linked it with his gospel, for so hath he done. So long as this gospel lives shall this story of the woman be told; and when this story of the woman ceaseth to exist, then the gospel must cease to exist also, for they are co-eternal. As long as this
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 6: 1860

Sunday Next Before Easter.
What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. These words, we cannot doubt, have an application to ourselves, and to all Christians, far beyond the particular occasion on which they were actually spoken. They are, in fact, the words which Christ addresses daily to all of us. Every day, when he sees how often we have gone astray from him, he repeats to us, Could ye not watch with me one hour? Every
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

"For they that are after the Flesh do Mind the Things of the Flesh,",
Rom. viii. 5.--"For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh,", &c. Though sin hath taken up the principal and inmost cabinet of the heart of man--though it hath fixed its imperial throne in the spirit of man, and makes use of all the powers and faculties in the soul to accomplish its accursed desires and fulfil its boundless lusts, yet it is not without good reason expressed in scripture, ordinarily under the name of "flesh," and a "body of death," and men dead in sins, are
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Wyclif -- Christ's Real Body not in the Eucharist
John Wyclif, eminent as scholar, preacher, and translator, was born in 1324 in Spresswel, near Richmond, Yorkshire, England. Known as the "Morning Star of the Reformation" he was a vigorous and argumentative speaker, exemplifying his own definition of preaching as something which should be "apt, apparent, full of true feeling, fearless in rebuking sins, and so addrest to the heart as to enlighten the spirit and subdue the will." On these lines he organized a band of Bible preachers who worked largely
Various—The World's Great Sermons, Volume I

That Man must not be Immersed in Business
"My Son, always commit thy cause to Me; I will dispose it aright in due time. Wait for My arrangement of it, and then thou shalt find it for thy profit." 2. O Lord, right freely I commit all things to Thee; for my planning can profit but little. Oh that I did not dwell so much on future events, but could offer myself altogether to Thy pleasures without delay. 3. "My Son, a man often striveth vehemently after somewhat which he desireth; but when he hath obtained it he beginneth to be of another
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Jesus Predicts, the Rulers Plot For, and Judas Bargains for his Death.
(Mount of Olives, Bethany, and Jerusalem. Tuesday After Sunset, Which Jews Regarded as the Beginning of Wednesday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 1-5, 14-16; ^B Mark XIV. 1, 2, 10, 11; ^C Luke XXII. 1-6. ^c 1 Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover. { ^b 1 Now after two days was the feast of the passover and the unleavened bread:} ^a 1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished all these words, he said unto his disciples, 2 Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Preparation for Passover. Disciples Contend for Precedence.
(Bethany to Jerusalem. Thursday Afternoon and, After Sunset, Beginning of Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 17-20; ^B Mark XIV. 12-17; ^C Luke XXII. 7-18, 24-30. ^c 7 And the day of unleavened bread came, on which the passover must be sacrificed. [See p. 57. Leaven was to the Jew a symbol of corruption and impurity, because it causes bread to become stale. The feast of unleavened bread began properly on the fifteenth of Nisan, and lasted seven days, but this was the fourteenth Nisan, the day on which the paschal
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Judas' Betrayal and Peter's Denial Foretold.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 21-25, 31-35; ^B Mark XIV. 18-21, 27-31; ^C Luke XXII. 21-23, 31-38; ^D John XIII. 21-38. ^b 18 And ^d 21 When Jesus had thus said, ^b as they sat and were eating, ^d he was troubled in the spirit, and ^b Jesus ^d testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. ^b even he that eateth with me. ^c 21 But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. [The foreknowledge of Judas' crime
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Lord's Supper Instituted.
(Jerusalem. Evening Before the Crucifixion.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 26-29; ^B Mark XIV. 22-25; ^C Luke XXII. 19, 20; ^F I. Cor. XI. 23-26. ^a 26 And as they were eating, ^f the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; 24 and when he had given thanks, { ^b blessed,} ^f he brake it, ^a and he gave to the disciples, and said, ^b Take ye: ^a Take, eat; this is my body. ^f which is ^c given ^f for you: this do in remembrance of me. [As only unleavened bread was eaten during the paschal supper,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Jesus Betrayed, Arrested, and Forsaken.
(Gethsemane. Friday, Several Hours Before Dawn.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 47-56; ^B Mark XIV. 43-52; ^C Luke XXII. 47-53; ^D John XVIII. 2-11. ^d 2 Now Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples. [See p. 583.] 3 Judas then, having received the band of soldiers, and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. ^b 43 And straightway, while he yet spake, ^a lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

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