Matthew 26:65
New International Version
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

New Living Translation
Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.

English Standard Version
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy.

Berean Standard Bible
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

Berean Literal Bible
Then the high priest tears his garments, saying, "He has blasphemed; why do we have any more need of witnesses? Behold now, you have heard the blasphemy.

King James Bible
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

New King James Version
Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!

New American Standard Bible
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? See, you have now heard the blasphemy;

NASB 1995
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;

NASB 1977
Then the high priest tore his robes, saying, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the high priest tore his garments and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;

Amplified Bible
Then the high priest tore his robes [in mock horror] and exclaimed, “He has blasphemed [by making Himself God’s equal]! What further need have we of witnesses or evidence? See, you have now heard the blasphemy.

Christian Standard Bible
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? See, now you’ve heard the blasphemy.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard the blasphemy!

American Standard Version
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:

Contemporary English Version
The high priest then tore his robe and said, "This man claims to be God! We don't need any more witnesses! You have heard what he said.

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Then the chief priest tore his robes in horror and said, "He has dishonored God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You've just heard him dishonor God!

Good News Translation
At this the High Priest tore his clothes and said, "Blasphemy! We don't need any more witnesses! You have just heard his blasphemy!

International Standard Version
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Listen! You yourselves have just heard the blasphemy!

Majority Standard Bible
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, ?He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy.

NET Bible
Then the high priest tore his clothes and declared, "He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Now you have heard the blasphemy!

New Heart English Bible
Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy. Why do we need any more witnesses? See, now you have heard his blasphemy.

Webster's Bible Translation
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "Impious language! What further need have we of witnesses! See, you have now heard the impiety.

World English Bible
Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then the chief priest tore his garments, saying, “He has slandered; what need have we yet of witnesses? Behold, now you heard His slander;

Berean Literal Bible
Then the high priest tears his garments, saying, "He has blasphemed; why do we have any more need of witnesses? Behold now, you have heard the blasphemy.

Young's Literal Translation
Then the chief priest rent his garments, saying, -- 'He hath spoken evil; what need have we yet of witnesses? lo, now ye heard his evil speaking;

Smith's Literal Translation
Then the chief priest tore his garments, saying, That he blasphemed: what further need have we of witnesses? see, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Then the high priests rent his garments, saying: He hath blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now you have heard the blasphemy:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then the high priest tore his garments, saying: “He has blasphemed. Why do we still need witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy.

New American Bible
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy;

New Revised Standard Version
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The high priest then rent his clothes and said, Behold, he is blaspheming; why therefore do we need witnesses? behold, you have now heard his blasphemy.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Then the High Priest ripped his garment, and said, “Behold, he has blasphemed. Why now do we need witnesses? Behold now, you have heard his blasphemy.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
Then the chief priest rent his clothes, and said: He has spoken impiously; what further need have we of witnesses? See now, you have heard his impious words:

Godbey New Testament
Then the high priest tore his robes, saying, He blasphemed: why have we yet need of witnesses? behold, now you heard His blasphemy:

Haweis New Testament
Then the high-priest rent his garments, saying, he hath blasphemed: what farther need have we of witnesses? lo! now ye have heard his blasphemy:

Mace New Testament
then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, he has spoke blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? you yourselves have now heard his blasphemy.

Weymouth New Testament
Then the High Priest tore his robes and exclaimed, "Impious language! What further need have we of witnesses! See, you have now heard the impiety.

Worrell New Testament
Then the high priest rent his garments, saying, "He blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, ye just now heard the blasphemy!

Worsley New Testament
Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy, what need have we more of witnesses? now ye have heard his blasphemy, what think ye?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
64“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.…

Cross References
Leviticus 24:16
Whoever blasphemes the name of the LORD must surely be put to death; the whole assembly must surely stone him, whether he is a foreign resident or native; if he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death.

John 10:33
“We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”

Mark 14:63
At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?

John 19:7
“We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”

John 5:18
Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

Luke 22:71
“Why do we need any more testimony?” they declared. “We have heard it for ourselves from His own lips.”

John 10:36
then what about the One whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world? How then can you accuse Me of blasphemy for stating that I am the Son of God?

Acts 6:11
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”

Isaiah 53:3
He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. Like one from whom men hide their faces, He was despised, and we esteemed Him not.

Daniel 7:13-14
In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. / And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and His kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

John 8:58-59
“Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!” / At this, they picked up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple area.

Hebrews 10:28-29
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / How much more severely do you think one deserves to be punished who has trampled on the Son of God, profaned the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and insulted the Spirit of grace?

John 19:6-7
As soon as the chief priests and officers saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” “You take Him and crucify Him,” Pilate replied, “for I find no basis for a charge against Him.” / “We have a law,” answered the Jews, “and according to that law He must die, because He declared Himself to be the Son of God.”

John 5:17-18
But Jesus answered them, “To this very day My Father is at His work, and I too am working.” / Because of this, the Jews tried all the harder to kill Him. Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.

John 8:53
Are You greater than our father Abraham? He died, as did the prophets. Who do You claim to be?”


Treasury of Scripture

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He has spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now you have heard his blasphemy.

the high priest.

Leviticus 21:20
Or crookbackt, or a dwarf, or that hath a blemish in his eye, or be scurvy, or scabbed, or hath his stones broken;

2 Kings 18:37
Then came Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which 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.

2 Kings 19:1-3
And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard it, that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD…

He.

Matthew 9:3
And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.

1 Kings 21:10-13
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die…

Luke 5:21
And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?

Jump to Previous
Blasphemed Blasphemy Chief Clothes Clothing Ears Evil Exclaimed Further Garments Heard High Impiety Impious Language Need Parting Priest Rent Robes Tore Uttered Violently Witnesses Words
Jump to Next
Blasphemed Blasphemy Chief Clothes Clothing Ears Evil Exclaimed Further Garments Heard High Impiety Impious Language Need Parting Priest Rent Robes Tore Uttered Violently Witnesses Words
Matthew 26
1. Jesus foretells his own death.
3. The rulers conspire against him.
6. The woman anoints his feet.
14. Judas bargains to betray him.
17. Jesus eats the Passover;
26. institutes his holy supper;
30. foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial;
36. prays in the garden;
47. and being betrayed by a kiss,
57. is carried to Caiaphas,
69. and denied by Peter.














At this
This phrase refers to the immediate context of Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, where He was asked if He was the Messiah, the Son of God. The phrase sets the stage for the dramatic reaction of the high priest, indicating a pivotal moment in the trial. In the Greek, "τότε" (tote) signifies a specific point in time, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.

the high priest
The high priest, Caiaphas, held the highest religious authority among the Jews at the time. His role was not only religious but also political, as he was a key figure in maintaining the status quo with the Roman authorities. Historically, the high priest was seen as a mediator between God and the people, making his reaction to Jesus' claim particularly significant.

tore his clothes
This act was a traditional expression of grief or outrage in Jewish culture, often associated with mourning or a response to blasphemy. The tearing of clothes, or "διαρρήξας τὰ ἱμάτια" (diarrēxas ta himatia), symbolized a profound emotional response, indicating that Caiaphas perceived Jesus' words as a severe violation of religious law.

and declared
The Greek word "λέγων" (legōn) implies a formal pronouncement. Caiaphas' declaration was not just an emotional outburst but a legal statement intended to influence the council's decision. His authority lent weight to his words, steering the trial towards a predetermined outcome.

He has blasphemed!
The accusation of blasphemy, "ἐβλασφήμησεν" (eblasphēmesen), was one of the most serious charges in Jewish law, punishable by death. In this context, blasphemy referred to Jesus' claim of divine status, which Caiaphas and the council viewed as a direct challenge to the monotheistic faith of Israel.

Why do we need any more witnesses?
This rhetorical question underscores the high priest's belief that Jesus' own words were sufficient evidence of His guilt. The Greek "τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων" (ti eti chreian echomen martyron) suggests a dismissal of further testimony, highlighting the perceived self-evidence of the blasphemy.

Look, now you have heard the blasphemy
Caiaphas appeals to the council, "ἴδε νῦν ἠκούσατε τὴν βλασφημίαν" (ide nyn ēkousate tēn blasphēmian), urging them to recognize the gravity of Jesus' claim. The use of "look" and "now" emphasizes the immediacy and clarity of the situation, as if the evidence were undeniable and the verdict inevitable.

(65) Then the high priest rent his clothes.--The act was almost as much a formal sign of condemnation as the putting on of the black cap by an English judge. The judges in a Jewish trial for blasphemy were bound to rend their clothes in twain when the blasphemous words were uttered, and the clothes so torn were never afterwards to be mended. In Acts 14:14 the same act appears, on the part of Paul and Barnabas, as the expression of an impulsive horror, as it had done of old when Eliakim rent his clothes on hearing the blasphemies of Rabshaken (2Kings 18:37). A comparison of the Greek word here and in Mark 14:63 shows that it included the tunic or under-garment as well as the cloak.

Verse 65. - The high priest rent his clothes (τὰ ἱμάτια). His outer garments, not his pontifical vestment, which he would not wear on this occasion. St. Mark notes that he rent his under clothes, his tunic; so probably he tore both outer and inner garments. This was done in assumed horror at Christ's blasphemy (cf. 2 Kings 18:37; 2 Kings 19:1), rabbinical injunctions requiring such an action, and prescribing the nature, extent, and direction of the scissure. "This he did," says Chrysostom, "to add force to the accusation, and to increase the weight of his words by the act." His assessors, though fully agreeing with him, appear not to have followed his example in this particular, taking the high priest's action as typical and sufficiently expressive of the general sentiment. The Fathers see in it a symbol of the rending and destruction of the Jewish priesthood (cf. 1 Samuel 15:27, 28; 1 Kings 11:30, 31). He hath spoken blasphemy. In claiming to be the Son of God, not in a theocratic sense, but by nature. making himself one with Jehovah. This was what Caiaphas had been desiring. No more discussion was needed; Christ was self-convicted. What further need have we of witnesses? He was doubtless relieved to find that the Prisoner had saved him from the trouble of seeking, suborning, and examining any more witnesses. Ye have heard; ye heard just now. All the assembly could now testify to the truth of the allegation.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
At this,
Τότε (Tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

the
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

high priest
ἀρχιερεὺς (archiereus)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

tore
διέρρηξεν (dierrēxen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1284: To tear asunder, burst, rend. From dia and rhegnumi; to tear asunder.

his
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

garments
ἱμάτια (himatia)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2440: A long flowing outer garment, tunic. Neuter of a presumed derivative of ennumi; a dress.

[and] said,
λέγων (legōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“He has blasphemed!
Ἐβλασφήμησεν (Eblasphēmēsen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 987: From blasphemos; to vilify; specially, to speak impiously.

Why
τί (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5101: Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.

do we
ἔχομεν (echomen)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural
Strong's 2192: To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.

need
χρείαν (chreian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5532: From the base of chraomai or chre; employment, i.e. An affair; also occasion, demand, requirement or destitution.

any more
ἔτι (eti)
Adverb
Strong's 2089: (a) of time: still, yet, even now, (b) of degree: even, further, more, in addition. Perhaps akin to etos; 'yet, ' still.

witnesses?
μαρτύρων (martyrōn)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Plural
Strong's 3144: A witness (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case); by analogy, a 'martyr'.

Look,
ἴδε (ide)
Verb - Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2400: See! Lo! Behold! Look! Second person singular imperative middle voice of eido; used as imperative lo!

now
νῦν (nyn)
Adverb
Strong's 3568: A primary particle of present time; 'now'; also as noun or adjective present or immediate.

you have heard
ἠκούσατε (ēkousate)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 191: To hear, listen, comprehend by hearing; pass: is heard, reported. A primary verb; to hear.

the
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

blasphemy.
βλασφημίαν (blasphēmian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 988: Abusive or scurrilous language, blasphemy. From blasphemos; vilification.


Links
Matthew 26:65 NIV
Matthew 26:65 NLT
Matthew 26:65 ESV
Matthew 26:65 NASB
Matthew 26:65 KJV

Matthew 26:65 BibleApps.com
Matthew 26:65 Biblia Paralela
Matthew 26:65 Chinese Bible
Matthew 26:65 French Bible
Matthew 26:65 Catholic Bible

NT Gospels: Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest tore his clothing (Matt. Mat Mt)
Matthew 26:64
Top of Page
Top of Page