Matthew 26:59 - Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
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What does "Matthew 26:59" mean?
This verse, Matthew 26:59, describes the actions of the Jewish religious leaders (chief priests, elders, and the Sanhedrin - the council) as they sought to condemn Jesus to death. Let's break it down:
"Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council...": This refers to the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish ruling body at the time. It comprised the leading priests, influential elders, and scribes. They held considerable religious and political power.
"...sought false testimony against Jesus...": This is the crux of the verse. Instead of looking for legitimate evidence or truth, they were actively looking for people to lie about Jesus and fabricate charges against him. This highlights their intent to get rid of Jesus, regardless of justice or fairness. They weren't seeking justice; they were seeking a way to eliminate a perceived threat to their authority.
"...that they might put him to death;": The ultimate goal of their search for false testimony was to find a reason to execute Jesus. Roman law at the time prohibited the Sanhedrin from carrying out executions, so they needed a charge that would hold up in Roman court, thus enabling them to have Jesus condemned to death by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
In essence, the verse reveals:
The malice of the Jewish leadership: They were not interested in discovering the truth about Jesus. They were determined to find a way to condemn him.
The unfairness of the trial: The entire process was biased and rigged from the beginning. They weren't seeking justice, but rather justification for their pre-determined decision.
The political motivations: Jesus was perceived as a threat to their power and authority, leading them to seek his removal.
This verse sets the stage for the sham trial that follows in the Gospel accounts, illustrating the injustice and conspiracy that led to Jesus' crucifixion.
Matthew 26:59 - Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
What does "Matthew 26:59" mean?
This verse, Matthew 26:59, describes the actions of the Jewish religious leaders (chief priests, elders, and the Sanhedrin - the council) as they sought to condemn Jesus to death. Let's break it down:
"Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council...": This refers to the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish ruling body at the time. It comprised the leading priests, influential elders, and scribes. They held considerable religious and political power.
"...sought false testimony against Jesus...": This is the crux of the verse. Instead of looking for legitimate evidence or truth, they were actively looking for people to lie about Jesus and fabricate charges against him. This highlights their intent to get rid of Jesus, regardless of justice or fairness. They weren't seeking justice; they were seeking a way to eliminate a perceived threat to their authority.
"...that they might put him to death;": The ultimate goal of their search for false testimony was to find a reason to execute Jesus. Roman law at the time prohibited the Sanhedrin from carrying out executions, so they needed a charge that would hold up in Roman court, thus enabling them to have Jesus condemned to death by the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.
In essence, the verse reveals:
The malice of the Jewish leadership: They were not interested in discovering the truth about Jesus. They were determined to find a way to condemn him.
The unfairness of the trial: The entire process was biased and rigged from the beginning. They weren't seeking justice, but rather justification for their pre-determined decision.
The political motivations: Jesus was perceived as a threat to their power and authority, leading them to seek his removal.
This verse sets the stage for the sham trial that follows in the Gospel accounts, illustrating the injustice and conspiracy that led to Jesus' crucifixion.