Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
Parallel translations
- WEB The high priest tore his clothes, and said, “What further need have we of witnesses?
- BSB At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “Why do we need any more witnesses?
- NKJV Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?
- NASB Tearing his clothes, the high priest *said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?
- NLT Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Why do we need other witnesses?
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The high priest tears his clothes, treating Jesus' claim as blasphemy. He declares no further witnesses are needed.
Overview
Tearing garments was a traditional response to perceived blasphemy. The high priest seizes on Jesus' confession as grounds for condemnation. Ironically, the true Son of God is judged a blasphemer for telling the truth about himself.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Matt 26:65Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
- Jer 36:23–24And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
- Num 14:6And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
- Acts 14:13–14Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.
- Lev 21:10And he that is the high priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointing oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes;
- Isa 36:22Then came Eliakim, the son of Hilkiah, that was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah, the son of Asaph, the recorder, to Hezekiah with their clothes rent, and told him the words of Rabshakeh.
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Christ at the center
Mark drives urgently to the cross, showing Jesus the Son of God as the suffering Servant who 'came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'
How Mark 14:63 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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