And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

MATTHEW 26:62KJV
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Matthew 26:62 (KJV)

What does Matthew 26:62 mean?

Matthew 26:62 describes the high priest standing up and questioning Jesus, asking why Jesus remains silent and what he has to say about the accusations being made against him. The verse shows the high priest pressing Jesus to respond to the testimony brought by others during his trial.

In this scene, the high priest is addressing Jesus during his trial before the Jewish council. The high priest is frustrated by Jesus’ silence in the face of accusations from witnesses. By directly asking Jesus, the high priest is trying to force a response that could be used against him, highlighting the tense and hostile atmosphere of the trial.

The Greek behind Matthew 26:62

  • ἀνέστη (anestē, "arose"): This word means to stand up or rise, emphasizing the high priest’s active role and perhaps his authority or agitation as he takes charge of the proceedings.
  • ἀποκρίνῃ (apokrinei, "thou answerest"): The Greek here carries the sense of giving a reply or defense, underlining that Jesus is being expected to defend himself against the charges.
  • κατὰ (kata, "against"): This word often means "against" or "in opposition to," making it clear that the witnesses’ statements are not neutral but are accusations aimed at Jesus.

Why Matthew 26:62 matters

  • This verse highlights the pressure Jesus faced during his trial, showing that even the highest religious authority was demanding a response from him.
  • The high priest’s question reveals the seriousness of the accusations and the expectation that Jesus should defend himself, setting the stage for the dramatic moments that follow.
  • Understanding this exchange helps clarify the legal and emotional tension in the trial narrative, showing how Jesus’ silence was both unusual and significant in this context.

Where else these words appear

“against” Greek G2649 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 27:13 Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?
  • Mark 14:60 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 15:4 And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee.

“arose” 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,

“priest” Greek G749 · used in 120 verses

  • Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
  • Mark 15:1 And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate.
  • John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.