But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

MATTHEW 26:60KJV
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Matthew 26:60 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:60 mean?

Matthew 26:60 describes how, during Jesus’ trial before the Jewish council, many people came forward to testify falsely against him, but none of their accusations could be proven or agreed upon. Finally, two individuals stepped forward with matching false testimony.

In this scene, the religious leaders are searching for a reason to condemn Jesus, but their efforts are frustrated because the witnesses’ stories do not line up. The verse highlights the difficulty the council faces in finding legitimate grounds for a charge, even with many false witnesses present. This sets the stage for the eventual accusation that leads to Jesus’ condemnation.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:60

  • μαρτυρες (martures, G5575): This word means “witnesses.” In this context, it refers to people giving testimony in a legal setting, but the verse makes clear they are “false” witnesses, emphasizing the injustice of the trial.
  • εὗρον (heuron, G2147): This verb means “found.” The repeated use of this word shows the council’s active search for evidence, but their inability to find any credible accusation.
  • πολλοί (polloi, G4183): This word means “many.” The verse stresses that not just a few, but many people were willing to give false testimony, underlining the extent of the opposition to Jesus.
  • δύο (duo, G1417): This word means “two.” According to Jewish law, two witnesses were required for a testimony to be considered valid, so the arrival of two false witnesses is a turning point in the narrative.

Why Matthew 26:60 matters

  • Matthew 26:60 clarifies that the charges against Jesus were not based on credible evidence, but on the desperation of his accusers to find something that would stick.
  • The verse highlights the injustice of the trial, showing that even with many false witnesses, the council struggled to fabricate a consistent accusation.
  • This moment connects to the broader narrative by showing how Jesus’ condemnation was orchestrated, not by truth, but by manipulated testimony, fulfilling prophecies about the suffering of the Messiah.

Where else these words appear

“witnesses” Greek G5575 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Corinthians 15:15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.

“last” Greek G5305 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 4:2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.
  • Matthew 21:37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
  • Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

“came” Greek G4334 · used in 85 verses

  • Matthew 4:3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.
  • Matthew 21:14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.
  • Luke 9:12 And when the day began to wear away, then came the twelve, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and get victuals: for we are here in a desert place.

“two” Greek G1417 · used in 124 verses

  • Matthew 4:18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
  • Mark 9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
  • John 6:9 There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?