Bible Strands
Matthew 26:65
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 Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — At the conclusion of Jesus’ trial before the Sanhedrin, the high priest addresses the council members immediately after Jesus identifies himself as the coming Son of Man.
The words — The Greek διέρρηξεν (dierrēxen) literally means “tore apart,” describing the high priest’s violent tearing of his outer garments (τὰ ἱμὰτια, ta himatia) as a ritual response.
The thread — This garment-tearing mirrors the mourning and covenant rupture seen in Numbers 14:6 and Jeremiah 36:24, while echoing the scribes’ earlier accusation of blasphemy in Matthew 9:3.
Why it lands — The text records the high priest’s declaration that Jesus has blasphemed and his conclusion that no further witnesses are needed, which the council then uses to justify their death sentence.
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
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.
Cross-references
- Numbers 14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
- Jeremiah 36:24 Yet in hearing all these words, the king and his servants did not become frightened or tear their garments.
- Matthew 9:3 On seeing this, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”
- Mark 14:63 At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
- 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.”
- 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?
- Leviticus 21:20 or who is a hunchback or dwarf, or who has an eye defect, a festering rash, scabs, or a crushed testicle.
- 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.”
- 2 Kings 18:37 Then Hilkiah’s son Eliakim the palace administrator, Shebna the scribe, and Asaph’s son Joah the recorder came to Hezekiah with their clothes torn, and they relayed to him the words of the Rabshakeh.
- Luke 5:21 But the scribes and Pharisees began thinking to themselves, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”