Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Other translations
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;
Word study
Commentary
John Gill
But found none,.... That were fit for their purpose,
yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none; whose testimonies were sufficient to put him to death, which was what they were resolved upon, or whose witness were not alike and agreed; for according to their law, a man must not die by the mouth of one witness only, but by the mouth of two or three witnesses agreed in a point; and though they might be willing enough to dispense with the law in this case, yet might have some regard to their own character and reputation; and especially as they meant to deliver him to the Roman governor, in order to be condemned by him; they knew they must have a charge, and this supported with a proper evidence, or they could not hope to succeed; for which reason, they could not put up, as they otherwise willingly would, with any sort of witnesses:
at the last came two false witnesses; who were agreed in a point, and whose testimonies were alike; at least, had a greater appearance of truth and agreement than the rest; though Mark says, "neither so did their witnesses agree together", Mar 14:59, as to prove the point, for which it was given.
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