Mark 14 57

Mark 14:57 kjv

And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,

Mark 14:57 nkjv

Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,

Mark 14:57 niv

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:

Mark 14:57 esv

And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,

Mark 14:57 nlt

Finally, some men stood up and gave this false testimony:

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 57 Meaning

Mark 14:57 describes the unfolding of Jesus' trial before the Sanhedrin, where individuals step forward to accuse Him with fabricated statements. It signifies the commencement of a formal, yet fundamentally corrupt, legal process based on intentional deception, rather than genuine inquiry into truth. These false accusations are presented by specific individuals who volunteer to testify against Him, thereby laying the groundwork for His unjust condemnation.

Mark 14 57 Context

Verse 14:57 occurs during Jesus' illegal night trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin, following His arrest in Gethsemane. After being led to the high priest Caiaphas, where the chief priests, elders, and scribes have gathered (Mk 14:53), the council's agenda immediately shifts from judicial inquiry to securing a basis for condemnation. This trial lacked legitimacy on several counts: it was held at night, key procedural requirements for capital cases were ignored, and instead of impartially hearing evidence, the council actively sought out testimony (Mk 14:55). The immediate succeeding verses (Mk 14:58-59) clarify that the "false testimony" referred to in verse 57 specifically involved contradictory claims about Jesus' words concerning the Temple, and crucially, even among those presenting such testimony, "their statements did not agree." This desperate and unethical pursuit of condemning evidence against Jesus by the very guardians of Jewish law highlights their profound spiritual and moral blindness and their determination to eliminate Him.

Mark 14 57 Word analysis

• And (καὶ – kai): A conjunction that functions as a narrative connector, marking a direct continuation and progression of events within the Sanhedrin trial. It signals the immediate next step in the proceedings against Jesus, moving from the general seeking of testimony (Mk 14:55) to its presentation.
• some (τινὲς – tines): An indefinite plural pronoun. It refers to an unspecified but definite group of individuals, implying a selected number or a series of people. This highlights that these were not just random observers, but specific individuals who chose to participate in the act of false accusation, suggesting an orchestrated effort.
• stood up (ἀναστάντες – anastantes): An aorist participle of ἀνίστημι (anistemi), meaning "to stand up" or "to arise." In a judicial context, this indicates a formal act of stepping forward to present evidence or testify. It denotes a deliberate, public, and active role in the proceedings, lending a false air of formality and authority to their impending false witness.
• bore false witness (ἐψευδομαρτύρουν – epseudomartyroun): The imperfect active indicative of ψευδομαρτυρέω (pseudomartyreo), a compound verb derived from ψευδής (pseudes, "false") and μαρτυρέω (martyreo, "to bear witness"). The imperfect tense indicates a continuous or repeated action, implying either that multiple false witnesses appeared one after another, or that they were actively engaged in bearing false testimony as a sustained effort. This verb directly references the act forbidden by the Ninth Commandment (Exod 20:16), exposing the profound legal and moral corruption of the court and its witnesses.
• against (κατ’ – kat’): A preposition that, in this context with the genitive case (implied by autou), signifies direct opposition, antagonism, and hostility. It emphasizes that the testimony was deliberately arrayed against Jesus, intending His harm and condemnation.
• Him (αὐτοῦ – autou): A pronoun referring specifically to Jesus. It emphasizes that Jesus is the singular, targeted individual of this malevolent and deceptive legal assault.
• saying (λέγοντες – legontes): A present active participle of λέγω (lego), "to say" or "to speak." It serves to introduce the forthcoming content of the false accusations, immediately linking the act of bearing false witness with the specific fabricated statements that the witnesses then uttered.

Words-group analysis:

• "καὶ τινὲς ἀναστάντες" (And some stood up): This phrase signifies the emergence of individuals from among the gathered council or its attendants who willingly and formally presented themselves as accusers. It suggests a pre-arranged or anticipated act, highlighting the calculated nature of the trial against Jesus. This formal action cloaked their fraudulent testimony in an appearance of legitimate judicial process.
• "ἐψευδομαρτύρουν κατ’ αὐτοῦ" (bore false witness against Him): This core phrase defines the nature of the action: deliberate deceit in a legal setting, directed specifically at Jesus. The use of the imperfect tense "bore" emphasizes the ongoing or repeated nature of these false testimonies, reinforcing the Sanhedrin's desperate and concerted effort to find any grounds for condemnation, even if based on lies. This act directly violates God's law (Ninth Commandment), underscoring the deep perversion of justice at play.

Mark 14 57 Bonus section

The Sanhedrin's readiness to accept "false testimony" underscores the premeditated nature of Jesus' condemnation. They were not seeking truth, but rather seeking evidence—any evidence—that would justify a predetermined verdict of guilt. The eventual failure of the witnesses to agree (Mk 14:59) further reveals the desperation and illegitimacy of their proceedings; according to their own Law, consistency in testimony was essential for capital cases (Deut 17:6). This scene therefore foreshadows the wider human tendency to suppress the truth for self-serving motives, highlighting a timeless spiritual battle against deception. It demonstrates how rejection of the divine can manifest as profound legal and moral corruption.

Mark 14 57 Commentary

Mark 14:57 captures the beginning of the end of Jesus' earthly journey through a judicial lens, showcasing a pivotal moment of injustice. This verse highlights the profound moral failure of the Sanhedrin, the highest Jewish court, who not only permit but actively seek "false testimony" to condemn Jesus. The accusers, identified merely as "some," willingly step forward, initiating a series of deceitful statements (Mk 14:58-59) designed to secure a capital charge against Jesus. This act of bearing false witness against one's neighbor was an explicit violation of the Ninth Commandment (Exod 20:16; Deut 5:20) under Mosaic Law, a law these very officials were sworn to uphold. The very court meant to dispense justice becomes a stage for perverted truth and legal charade, demonstrating the depths of human sin and opposition to God's Christ. It's a sobering illustration that the absence of integrity, even within religious authority, leads to profound ethical collapse.

• Practical usage:
  • It reminds believers to seek truth and integrity in all interactions, especially in leadership roles.
  • It illustrates how institutional power can be corrupted for malicious ends.
  • It reinforces the call to speak truthfully and reject gossip or slander.