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.