Lexical Summary katamartureó: To testify against, to bear witness against Original Word: καταμαρτυρέω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance witness against. From kata and martureo; to testify against -- witness against. see GREEK kata see GREEK martureo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kata and martureó Definition to testify or bear witness against NASB Translation testify against (1), testifying against (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2649: καταμαρτυρέωκαταμαρτυρέω, καταμαρτύρω; to bear witness against: τί τίνος, testify a thing against one (Buttmann, 165 (144), cf. 178 (154)), Matthew 26:62; Matthew 27:13; Mark 14:60, and R G in Topical Lexicon Overview of UsageThe verb occurs only three times in the Greek New Testament, each within the Passion narratives. It describes the hostile action of witnesses who “testify against” Jesus before the Sanhedrin and Pilate. Its rarity highlights the solemnity of these judicial moments and underscores the grave miscarriage of justice that led to the crucifixion. Scriptural Context • Matthew 26:62 – “So the high priest stood up and said to Him, ‘Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?’” Each setting portrays Jesus’ silence in the face of accusations, fulfilling the prophecy that the Servant would be “oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7). Legal Background Deuteronomy 19:15 required “two or three witnesses” for a capital case. The Sanhedrin convened at night, gathered witnesses, and sought corroboration. Yet Mark 14:56 notes that “their testimony did not agree.” The misuse of witnesses violated both the Mosaic Law and the ninth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). The evangelists present the scene as an inversion of true justice: those responsible for upholding the Law instead manipulate it to condemn the Lawgiver. Fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy Psalm 35:11—“Malicious witnesses rise up; they question me about things I do not know”—finds its historical counterpart in these trials. The psalmist’s cry foreshadows the Messiah’s experience, confirming the unity of Scripture’s redemptive storyline. Theological Implications 1. Christ’s Innocence: The repeated testimony “against” emphasizes that no legitimate charge existed. His innocence magnifies the substitutionary nature of His death (2 Corinthians 5:21). Application for Ministry • Integrity in Witness: Believers are called to the opposite posture—“Speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Historical Significance Early Christian apologists such as Justin Martyr and Tertullian pointed to the Passion narratives to demonstrate Christ’s faultless character amid slander. The church fathers urged believers facing Roman tribunals to uphold truth even when the world “testifies against” them. Conclusion Though appearing only three times, Strong’s Greek 2649 exposes the clash between falsehood and truth at the climactic moment of salvation history. It admonishes the people of God to bear faithful testimony, confident that the One once wrongfully accused now reigns as the righteous Judge. Forms and Transliterations καταμαρτυρήσαισάν καταμαρτυρησάτωσαν καταμαρτυρουσιν καταμαρτυρούσιν καταμαρτυροῦσιν καταμαρτυρών κατεμαρτύρησαν katamarturousin katamartyrousin katamartyroûsinLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:62 V-PIA-3PGRK: οὗτοί σου καταμαρτυροῦσιν NAS: is it that these men are testifying against You? KJV: [is it which] these witness against thee? INT: these you do witness against Matthew 27:13 V-PIA-3P Mark 14:60 V-PIA-3P |
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