And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

MARK 14:60KJV
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Mark 14:60 (KJV)

What does Mark 14:60 mean?

Mark 14:60 shows the high priest standing up in the middle of the council and questioning Jesus, pressing Him to respond to the accusations others are making against Him. The verse highlights the high priest’s frustration or urgency as he tries to get Jesus to speak in His own defense.

In this scene, the high priest is addressing Jesus during His trial before the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin). The council has heard accusations from various witnesses, but Jesus has remained silent. The high priest’s question emphasizes the seriousness of the moment and the pressure being put on Jesus to answer for Himself.

The Greek behind Mark 14:60

  • ἀνέστη (anestē, “stood up”): This word shows the high priest taking a deliberate and possibly dramatic action, rising in the middle of the group to draw attention and assert authority.
  • μέσον (meson, “in the midst”): The phrase places the high priest physically at the center, underlining his central role and the intensity of the situation.
  • ἀποκρίνῃ (apokrinē, “answerest”): This verb often means to reply or respond, especially in a formal or legal setting, highlighting that the high priest expects a defense or explanation from Jesus.
  • καταμαρτυροῦσιν (katamarturousin, “witness against”): This word means to testify strongly against someone, pointing to the seriousness of the accusations being brought before Jesus.

Why Mark 14:60 matters

  • Mark 14:60 clarifies that Jesus was being pressured to defend Himself, not just passively accused, which adds to the tension and drama of the trial.
  • The verse shows the high priest’s authority and the seriousness of the council’s proceedings, helping readers understand the gravity of the moment.
  • By highlighting Jesus’ silence up to this point, Mark 14:60 sets the stage for what comes next in the trial and draws attention to Jesus’ unique response to His accusers.

Where else these words appear

“witness” Greek G2649 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 26:62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
  • Matthew 27:13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
  • Mark 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

“asked” Greek G1905 · used in 58 verses

  • Matthew 12:10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
  • Mark 9:33 And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
  • Luke 9:18 And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Whom say the people that I am?

“midst” Greek G3319 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
  • Luke 17:11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
  • Acts 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

“up” Greek G450 · used in 111 verses

  • Matthew 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
  • Luke 11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
  • Acts 8:27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,