They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on 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,
- BSB But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
- NKJV but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses 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 19:15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.
- Ps 27:12Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, such as breathe out cruelty.
- Ps 35:11Unrighteous witnesses rise up. They ask me about things that I don’t know about.
- 1 Pet 3:16having a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ.
- Dan 6:4–5Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
- Mark 14:57–59Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,
- Titus 2:8and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing 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.