Bible Strands
Matthew 26:60
But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin are conducting a nighttime trial, seeking false testimony to condemn Jesus to death. After numerous individuals step forward without producing consistent charges, two witnesses finally present themselves.
The words — The Greek ψευδομαρτύρων (pseudomartyrōn) literally denotes "false witnesses," describing those who came forward to testify against Jesus. Their accounts failed to align, leaving the council without the consistent evidence needed for a conviction.
The thread — This sequence of hostile witnesses failing to agree runs parallel to the legal requirement in Deuteronomy 19:15 and the psalmist’s account in Psalms 27:12 and Psalms 35:11. The narrative demonstrates the collapse of a coordinated legal attack despite the presence of multiple accusers.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to observe how human attempts to manufacture condemnation dissolve through internal contradiction. It asks the reader to note that the outcome depends on the failure of the witnesses rather than on any intervention.
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
But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- 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.
- Mark 14:57 Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:
- Titus 2:8 and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
- 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.