Bible Strands
Mark 14:55
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative places the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin in a judicial assembly, actively searching for grounds to execute Jesus immediately after Peter enters the high priest’s courtyard.
The words — ἐζήτουν (ezētoun) means “were seeking,” and συνέδριον (sunedrion) denotes the Jewish ruling Council, together describing the body’s concerted judicial inquiry.
The thread — This judicial search parallels Matthew 26:59, where the same leaders look for false testimony, and anticipates the formal charges brought in Acts 24:1.
Why it lands — The text records the failure of the religious authorities to produce valid evidence, showing that human conspiracy cannot manufacture the legal grounds required for execution.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
Cross-references
- Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
- Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
- Acts 24:1 Five days later the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, who presented to the governor their case against Paul.
- 1 Peter 3:16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- 1 Kings 21:13 And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.
- Psalms 27:12 Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
- Psalms 35:11 Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.
- Daniel 6:4 Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
- Acts 6:11 Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.”
- 1 Kings 21:10 But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.”