Matthew 26 60

Matthew 26:60 kjv

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

Matthew 26:60 nkjv

but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward

Matthew 26:60 niv

But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward

Matthew 26:60 esv

but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward

Matthew 26:60 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

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 60 Meaning

Matthew 26:60 depicts the escalating injustice and legal perversion at the trial of Jesus before the Sanhedrin. Despite many false witnesses coming forward with accusations, their testimonies were so contradictory or insubstantial that they could not form a basis for conviction according to Jewish law, which required consistent agreement from at least two witnesses for a capital charge. The phrase "found none" emphasizes the lack of legitimate evidence, even fabricated, that could meet legal scrutiny, highlighting the desperation and ultimate failure of the court to genuinely accuse Jesus before two particular false witnesses eventually presented a seemingly viable, though still deceitful, charge regarding the temple.

Matthew 26 60 Context

Matthew 26:60 occurs during Jesus' illegal night trial before the Jewish high court, the Sanhedrin, in the palace of the High Priest Caiaphas. This trial followed Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. The religious leaders had already decided to put Jesus to death, but they needed a formal charge and conviction, preferably one that carried a capital punishment according to their law (likely blasphemy), and ideally one they could present to the Roman authorities. Jewish law (Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15) strictly required at least two witnesses whose testimonies consistently agreed for a capital conviction. The events preceding this verse involved Peter's denial and Jesus being brought before Caiaphas, where attempts to find testimony against Him began in earnest. The corruption of the trial is evident from the outset, as their primary goal was to find any pretense to condemn Jesus, rather than to administer justice.

Matthew 26 60 Word analysis

• but found none: The Greek phrase is οὐχ εὗρον (ouch heurons), meaning "not found." This indicates that despite diligent efforts by the Sanhedrin, no legally sufficient or consistent testimony emerged from the numerous accusers. It highlights the profound failure of their attempt to create a credible case, demonstrating either the patent falsity of the claims or the inability of the witnesses to agree.
• though many false witnesses: Greek: πολλῶν ψευδομαρτύρων (pollōn pseudomartyrōn), meaning "many false witnesses."
  • many (πολλῶν - pollōn): Signifies a great number or multitude. It emphasizes the concerted effort to find accusers and the desperation of the court.
  • false witnesses (ψευδομαρτύρων - pseudomartyrōn): From pseudes (false) and martys (witness). This term unequivocally identifies the individuals as perjurers, openly violating the Mosaic Law (Exo 20:16; Deut 5:20) which prohibits bearing false witness. Their motivation was to secure Jesus' conviction regardless of the truth.
• came forward: Greek: προσελθόντων (proselthontōn), from proserchomai, meaning "to approach," "to come near," or "to come forward." This shows their active participation in the deceitful scheme, willingly offering their false accusations.
• Finally two: Greek: ὕστερον δὲ προσελθόντες δύο (hysterōn de proselthontes duo), meaning "later approaching two."
  • Finally (ὕστερον - hysterōn): Means "later" or "afterwards." This implies a passage of time, during which numerous other witnesses were heard and rejected, indicating a persistent search for suitable false testimony.
  • two (δύο - duo): This number is crucial. It directly relates to the Mosaic Law's requirement of at least two consistent witnesses for a capital offense (Deut 17:6; 19:15). The arrival of precisely two witnesses indicates an attempt to finally meet this legal prerequisite, even with fraudulent means, to provide a semblance of legality to their pre-determined verdict.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "but found none, though many false witnesses came forward": This phrase paints a picture of intense judicial corruption. The "many false witnesses" signifies a determined effort by the Sanhedrin to manufacture charges, while "found none" underscores the unreliability and self-contradictory nature of their testimony. The failure to secure agreeing false witness highlights the court's failure to even feign legitimate process for an hour, forcing them into a desperate, hurried, and unethical procedure to achieve their aim. It implies that the accusations were so diverse and inconsistent that they failed to meet even the lax standard applied by this corrupted court.
• "Finally two came forward": This subsequent clause introduces a turning point. After a period of frustration with unreliable testimonies, "two" specific false witnesses finally step up, intending to provide the legally required corroboration for a capital charge. This moment sets the stage for the specific accusations against Jesus in the next verse (Matt 26:61) and demonstrates the religious leaders' persistence in their agenda, eventually finding even a flimsy pretense for condemnation. It marks a shift from chaotic, unsuccessful efforts to a focused, albeit still dishonest, attempt to establish a capital case.

Matthew 26 60 Bonus section

The legal standards for testimony in Jewish law were intended to protect the innocent. The requirement for multiple, agreeing witnesses (Deut 19:15-21) meant that contradictory evidence (as mentioned more explicitly in Mark 14:59 for this very trial) should have led to an acquittal. The Sanhedrin's actions were not merely unjust but constituted a profound act of self-condemnation, demonstrating their deliberate rejection of the very divine laws they claimed to uphold. This historical moment served as a fulfillment of prophecies foretelling the righteous one suffering at the hands of malicious accusers (e.g., Ps 27:12; 35:11). The fact that even with a multitude of "false witnesses" they could find "none" indicates that God providentially withheld complete consistency from these wicked intentions, demonstrating the fundamental innocence of Jesus even in the eyes of his determined accusers. The pursuit of specific false testimony about destroying and rebuilding the temple (in the subsequent verses) reflects a desperate attempt to twist Jesus' own words into a capital charge of blasphemy or sedition, demonstrating their deliberate misrepresentation of divine truth.

Matthew 26 60 Commentary

Matthew 26:60 profoundly reveals the perversion of justice during Jesus' trial. The Sanhedrin, entrusted with upholding God's law, shamelessly engaged in suborning perjury to achieve a predetermined verdict of guilt. The verse’s stark declaration that "none" (legally valid accusations) were found, despite a multitude of false accusers, exposes the blatant lack of any real charge against Jesus. This scenario highlights the divine paradox where the purest Truth (Jesus) faced the most flagrant lies. The eventual appearance of "two" false witnesses, as required by the law, signifies a cynical attempt by the religious leaders to legitimize an illegitimate trial, merely putting on a show of adherence to their own legal principles while violating the spirit and letter of those very laws. This desperate search for consistent false testimony underscores their utter rejection of truth and justice in their blind hatred for the Messiah. It serves as a stark warning about the dangers of institutional power corrupted by malice and spiritual blindness.