Mark 14:55
New International Version
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 any.

New Living Translation
Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any.

English Standard Version
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.

Berean Literal Bible
And the chief priests and all the Council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they were not finding any.

King James Bible
And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

New King James Version
Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.

New American Standard Bible
Now the chief priests and the entire Council were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.

NASB 1995
Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.

NASB 1977
Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death; and they were not finding any.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.

Amplified Bible
Now the chief priests and the entire Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus [which they could use] to have Him [condemned and] executed, but they were not finding any.

Christian Standard Bible
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they could not find any.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none.

American Standard Version
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.

Contemporary English Version
The chief priests and the whole council tried to find someone to accuse Jesus of a crime, so they could put him to death. But they could not find anyone to accuse him.

English Revised Version
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The chief priests and the whole Jewish council were searching for some testimony against Jesus in order to execute him. But they couldn't find any.

Good News Translation
The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some evidence against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they could not find any.

International Standard Version
Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council were looking for some testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death, but they couldn't find any.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any.

NET Bible
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.

New Heart English Bible
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the chief priests, and all the council sought for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

Weymouth New Testament
Meanwhile the High Priests and the entire Sanhedrin were endeavouring to get evidence against Jesus in order to put Him to death, but could find none;

World English Bible
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus—to put Him to death, and they were not finding,

Berean Literal Bible
And the chief priests and all the Council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they were not finding any.

Young's Literal Translation
And the chief priests and all the sanhedrim were seeking against Jesus testimony -- to put him to death, and they were not finding,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus, to put him to death; and found not:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus, that they might put him to death, and found none.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Yet truly, the leaders of the priests and the entire council sought testimony against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death, and they found none.

New American Bible
The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they found none.

New Revised Standard Version
Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The high priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death; but they could not find it.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But the Chief Priests and all their assembly were seeking testimony against Yeshua, that they might put him to death, and they were not able.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin sought for testimony against Jesus, in order to put him to death, and found none.

Godbey New Testament
And the chief priests and all the sanhedrim were seeking testimony against Him to put Him to death; and they found none.

Haweis New Testament
Then the chief priests, and the whole sanhedrim, sought for witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; yet found none.

Mace New Testament
Now the chief priests, and the whole council endeavour'd to get evidence against Jesus, to condemn him to die; but they found none.

Weymouth New Testament
Meanwhile the High Priests and the entire Sanhedrin were endeavouring to get evidence against Jesus in order to put Him to death, but could find none;

Worrell New Testament
And the high priests and all the Sanhedrin were seeking for testimony against Jesus, in order to put Him to death; and they were not finding it.

Worsley New Testament
Now the chief priests and all the council sought for evidence against Jesus, to put Him to death, and found none:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
54Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire. 55Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. 56For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.…

Cross References
Matthew 26:59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.

John 18:19-24
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. / “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered. “I always taught in the synagogues and at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. / Why are you asking Me? Ask those who heard My message. Surely they know what I said.” ...

Luke 22:66-71
At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, / “If You are the Christ, tell us.” Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe. / And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. ...

Acts 6:13
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

Acts 24:5-6
We have found this man to be a pestilence, stirring up dissension among the Jews all over the world. He is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes, / and he even tried to desecrate the temple; so we seized him.

Psalm 27:12
Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

Psalm 35:11
Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.

Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth.

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Jeremiah 26:8-11
and as soon as he had finished telling all the people everything the LORD had commanded him to say, the priests and prophets and all the people seized him, shouting, “You must surely die! / How dare you prophesy in the name of the LORD that this house will become like Shiloh and this city will be desolate and deserted!” And all the people assembled against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD. / When the officials of Judah heard these things, they went up from the king’s palace to the house of the LORD and sat there at the entrance of the New Gate. ...

Daniel 6:4-5
Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. / Finally these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.”

1 Kings 21:10-13
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” / So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

Deuteronomy 19:15-21
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. / If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. ...

Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.


Treasury of Scripture

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.

sought.

1 Kings 21:10,13
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die…

Psalm 27:12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

Psalm 35:11
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

and found.

Daniel 6:4
Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

1 Peter 3:16-18
Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ…

Jump to Previous
Cause Chief Council Death Endeavouring Entire Evidence Find Finding Found High Jesus Kept Meanwhile Obtain Order Priests Sanhedrim Sanhedrin Sought Testimony Trying Whole Witness Witnesses
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Cause Chief Council Death Endeavouring Entire Evidence Find Finding Found High Jesus Kept Meanwhile Obtain Order Priests Sanhedrim Sanhedrin Sought Testimony Trying Whole Witness Witnesses
Mark 14
1. A conspiracy against Jesus.
3. Expensive perfume is poured on his head by a woman.
10. Judas sells his Master for money.
12. Jesus himself foretells how he will be betrayed by one of his disciples;
22. after the passover prepared, and eaten, institutes his last supper;
26. declares beforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter's denial.
43. Judas betrays him with a kiss.
46. Jesus is apprehended in the garden;
53. falsely accused and impiously condemned of the council;
65. shamefully abused by them;
66. and thrice denied by Peter.














Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin
This phrase introduces the religious authorities of the time, the chief priests and the Sanhedrin, which was the supreme council and tribunal of the Jews during the post-exilic times. The chief priests were influential leaders, often from the Sadducees, who held significant power in religious and political matters. The Sanhedrin, composed of 71 members, included Pharisees and Sadducees, and was responsible for major legal decisions. Historically, this body was known for its strict adherence to the law and traditions. Their involvement highlights the gravity of the situation, as they were the highest religious authority, yet they were actively seeking to condemn Jesus, indicating the threat they perceived in His teachings and influence.

were seeking testimony against Jesus
The Greek word for "seeking" (ζητοῦντες, zētountes) implies an active, deliberate search. This was not a passive or impartial inquiry; it was a concerted effort to find evidence that could be used against Jesus. The phrase "testimony against Jesus" suggests a legal proceeding, where witnesses were needed to establish a case. This reflects the judicial process of the time, where multiple witnesses were required to convict someone, especially in capital cases. The religious leaders' intent was not to seek truth but to find any possible accusation to justify their predetermined desire to eliminate Jesus.

to put Him to death
This phrase reveals the ultimate goal of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin: the death of Jesus. The severity of their intent underscores the perceived threat Jesus posed to their authority and the established religious order. In the context of Jewish law, the death penalty was reserved for the most serious offenses, such as blasphemy or leading Israel astray. Their determination to put Jesus to death, despite His innocence, highlights the deep spiritual blindness and corruption within the religious leadership. It also fulfills the prophetic scriptures that foretold the suffering and death of the Messiah.

but they did not find any
Despite their efforts, the religious leaders could not find any legitimate testimony against Jesus. This phrase underscores the innocence and righteousness of Jesus, who lived a life without sin. The inability to find valid accusations against Him highlights the unjust nature of the trial and the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy that the Messiah would be oppressed and afflicted, yet without deceit. This also serves as a testament to the divine nature of Jesus, who, despite being surrounded by falsehood and malice, remained blameless. The failure to find evidence against Him further emphasizes the moral and spiritual bankruptcy of those who sought His death.

Verse 55. - Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death, and found it not. Their supreme object was to put him to death; but. they wished to accomplish their object in a manner consistent with their own honor, so as not to appear to have put him to death without reason. So they sought for false witnesses against him, that they might deliver the Author of life and the Savior of the world to death. For in real truth, although they knew it not, and were the instruments in his hands, he had determined by the death of Christ to bestow on us both present and eternal life.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Now
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
Οἱ (Hoi)
Article - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

chief priests
ἀρχιερεῖς (archiereis)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural
Strong's 749: High priest, chief priest. From arche and hiereus; the high-priest; by extension a chief priest.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

whole
ὅλον (holon)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3650: All, the whole, entire, complete. A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. Complete, especially as noun or adverb.

Sanhedrin
συνέδριον (synedrion)
Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4892: A council, tribunal; the Sanhedrin, the meeting place of the Sanhedrin.

were seeking
ἐζήτουν (ezētoun)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2212: To seek, search for, desire, require, demand. Of uncertain affinity; to seek; specially, to worship, or to plot.

testimony
μαρτυρίαν (martyrian)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3141: Witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. From martus; evidence given.

against
κατὰ (kata)
Preposition
Strong's 2596: A primary particle; down, in varied relations (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined).

Jesus
Ἰησοῦ (Iēsou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

to
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

put Him to death,
θανατῶσαι (thanatōsai)
Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active
Strong's 2289: To put to death, subdue; pass: To be in danger of death, be dead to, be rid of, be parted from. From thanatos to kill.

but
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they did not find [any].
ηὕρισκον (hēuriskon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2147: A prolonged form of a primary heuro, which heureo is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect to find.


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