But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
Parallel translations
- WEB and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward,
- KJV But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,
- NKJV but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
- NASB They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward,
- NLT But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward
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
Despite many false witnesses, they find no consistent testimony until two come forward. Their failure shows Jesus's innocence even amid lies.
Overview
The council cannot secure valid charges because the false witnesses contradict one another, and the law required agreement. The very difficulty in convicting Jesus testifies to His blamelessness. That they finally rely on a distorted statement underscores the injustice of the trial and the spotless character of the One condemned.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 7
- Deut 19:15A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Ps 27:12Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
- Ps 35:11Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.
- 1 Pet 3:16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
- Dan 6:4–5Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
- Mark 14:57–59Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him:
- Titus 2:8and wholesome speech that is above reproach, so that anyone who opposes us will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 26:60 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.