Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

MATTHEW 26:59KJV
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Matthew 26:59 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:59 mean?

Matthew 26:59 describes how the chief priests, elders, and the whole council were actively looking for people to give false testimony against Jesus so they could justify putting him to death. The verse shows that the religious leaders were not seeking justice but were determined to find a reason, even a dishonest one, to execute Jesus.

In this scene, Matthew is describing the actions of the Jewish ruling council, known as the Sanhedrin, during Jesus’ trial. The leaders are not impartial judges; instead, they are deliberately searching for witnesses who will lie about Jesus. This verse highlights the unfairness and the predetermined nature of the trial, setting the stage for the events that follow in the Passion narrative.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:59

  • σύνοδος (synedrion; "council"): This word refers to the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court. Knowing this helps clarify that this was an official, authoritative group, not just a few leaders.
  • ψευδομαρτυρίαν (pseudomartyria; "false witness"): The Greek word means intentionally untrue testimony. The verse emphasizes that the leaders were not just looking for any accusation, but specifically for lies to use against Jesus.
  • ζητοῦντες (zētountes; "sought"): The verb carries the sense of actively searching or making an effort, showing the leaders were not passively waiting for evidence but were determined to find something, even if it was false.

Why Matthew 26:59 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that Jesus’ trial was fair or unbiased; it shows the leaders were set on condemning him from the start.
  • The verse connects to the larger narrative by showing how Jesus’ death was not the result of a legitimate legal process, but of deliberate injustice.
  • Understanding the council’s actions here helps explain why later parts of the story emphasize Jesus’ innocence and the wrongful nature of his execution.

Where else these words appear

“witness” Greek G5577 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

“put” Greek G2289 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 10:21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
  • Mark 14:55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
  • Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

“council” Greek G4892 · used in 22 verses

  • Matthew 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.
  • Acts 4:15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
  • Acts 22:30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

“to” Greek G3704 · used in 55 verses

  • Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
  • Mark 5:23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.
  • Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.