Matthew 26:59

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were trying to find false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

Οἱ δὲ ἀρχιερεῖς, καὶ οἱ πρεσβύτεροι, καὶ τὸ συνέδριον, ὅλον ἐζήτουν ψευδομαρτυρίαν κατὰ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ὅπως αὐτὸν θανατώσωσιν·

Transliteration

The de archiereis, and the presbyteroi, and the synedrion, holon ezētoun pseudomartyrian kata the Iēsou, hopōs him thanatōsōsin;

Grammar Details

• *de*: postpositive conjunction - but/and
• *archiereis*: nominative masculine plural - chief priests
• *presbyteroi*: nominative masculine plural - elders
• *synedrion*: nominative neuter singular - council/Sanhedrin
• *holon*: nominative neuter singular - whole/entire
• *ezētoun*: imperfect active indicative, 3rd person plural - were seeking
• *pseudomartyrian*: accusative feminine singular - false testimony
• *kata*: preposition + genitive - against
• *Iēsou*: genitive masculine singular - of Jesus
• *hopōs*: subordinating conjunction - so that/in order that
• *thanatōsōsin*: aorist active subjunctive, 3rd person plural - they might put to death

Word Meanings

• *archiereis*: chief priests/high priests
• *synedrion*: Sanhedrin/council (Jewish ruling body)
• *ezētoun*: were seeking/were looking for (continuous action)
• *pseudomartyrian*: false testimony/false witness
• *thanatōsōsin*: might put to death/might execute

Referenced Verses

• Deut 19:16-21 : 16 If a false witness testifies against another person and accuses him of a crime, 17 then both parties to the controversy must stand before the LORD, that is, before the priests and judges who will be in office in those days. 18 The judges will thoroughly investigate the matter, and if the witness should prove to be false and to have given false testimony against the accused, 19 you must do to him what he had intended to do to the accused. In this way you will purge evil from among you. 20 The rest of the people will hear and become afraid to keep doing such evil among you. 21 You must not show pity; the principle will be a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot.
• 1 Kgs 21:8-9 : 8 She wrote out orders, signed Ahab’s name to them, and sealed them with his seal. She then sent the orders to the leaders and to the nobles who lived in Naboth’s city. 9 This is what she wrote:“Observe a time of fasting and seat Naboth in front of the people. 10 Also seat two villains opposite him and have them testify,‘You cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” 11 The men of the city, the leaders and the nobles who lived there, followed the written orders Jezebel had sent them. 12 They observed a time of fasting and put Naboth in front of the people. 13 The two villains arrived and sat opposite him. Then the villains testified against Naboth right before the people, saying,“Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they dragged him outside the city and stoned him to death.
• Ps 27:12 : 12 Do not turn me over to my enemies, for false witnesses who want to destroy me testify against me.
• Ps 35:11-12 : 11 Violent men perjure themselves, and falsely accuse me. 12 They repay me evil for the good I have done; I am overwhelmed with sorrow.
• Ps 94:20-21 : 20 Cruel rulers are not your allies, those who make oppressive laws. 21 They conspire against the blameless, and condemn to death the innocent.
• Prov 25:18 : 18 Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness.
• Matt 5:22 : 22 But I say to you that anyone who is angry with a brother will be subjected to judgment. And whoever insults a brother will be brought before the council, and whoever says‘Fool’ will be sent to fiery hell.
• Mark 14:55-56 : 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find anything. 56 Many gave false testimony against him, but their testimony did not agree.
• Acts 6:11-13 : 11 Then they secretly instigated some men to say,“We have heard this man speaking blasphemous words against Moses and God.” 12 They incited the people, the elders, and the experts in the law; then they approached Stephen, seized him, and brought him before the council. 13 They brought forward false witnesses who said,“This man does not stop saying things against this holy place and the law.
• Acts 24:1-9 : 1 The Accusations Against Paul After five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and an attorney named Tertullus, and they brought formal charges against Paul to the governor. 2 When Paul had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying,“We have experienced a lengthy time of peace through your rule, and reforms are being made in this nation through your foresight. 3 Most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this everywhere and in every way with all gratitude. 4 But so that I may not delay you any further, I beg you to hear us briefly with your customary graciousness. 5 For we have found this man to be a troublemaker, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to desecrate the temple, so we arrested him. 8 When you examine him yourself, you will be able to learn from him about all these things we are accusing him of doing.” 9 The Jews also joined in the verbal attack, claiming that these things were true. 10 Paul’s Defense Before Felix When the governor gestured for him to speak, Paul replied,“Because I know that you have been a judge over this nation for many years, I confidently make my defense. 11 As you can verify for yourself, not more than twelve days ago I went up to Jerusalem to worship. 12 They did not find me arguing with anyone or stirring up a crowd in the temple courts or in the synagogues or throughout the city, 13 nor can they prove to you the things they are accusing me of doing.