Topical Bible: Slander: Witnesses Against Christ

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Slander, defined as the act of making false and damaging statements about someone, is a grievous sin that is condemned throughout Scripture. In the context of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, slander played a pivotal role in the events leading up to His crucifixion. The Gospels provide detailed accounts of how false witnesses were brought against Jesus, highlighting the malicious intent and deceit that characterized these accusations.

Biblical Accounts of Slander Against Christ

1. The Trial Before the Sanhedrin: The most notable instance of slander against Jesus occurred during His trial before the Jewish Sanhedrin. The chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death. Matthew 26:59-60 states, "Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward." This passage underscores the deliberate attempt to fabricate charges against Jesus, reflecting the deep-seated animosity of the religious leaders.

2. False Accusations: Mark 14:56-58 further elaborates on the false accusations, "For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimony was inconsistent. Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: 'We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple, and in three days I will build another that is made without hands.’" The inconsistency of the testimonies highlights the lack of truth in their claims and the desperation of the accusers to find grounds for condemnation.

3. Before Pilate: The slander continued as Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate. Luke 23:2 records the accusations: "And they began to accuse Him, saying, 'We found this man subverting our nation, forbidding payment of taxes to Caesar, and proclaiming Himself to be Christ, a king.'" These charges were strategically crafted to present Jesus as a political threat to Roman authority, despite His teachings that emphasized a spiritual kingdom.

4. The Role of Envy: The underlying motive for the slander against Jesus is revealed in Mark 15:10 , where it is noted that Pilate "knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over." This envy stemmed from Jesus' growing influence and the challenge He posed to the religious establishment's authority.

Theological Implications

The slander against Christ serves as a profound illustration of the sinful nature of humanity and the lengths to which people will go to suppress the truth. It also fulfills the prophetic words of 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." Jesus' response to the false accusations—His silence and submission—demonstrates His obedience to the Father's will and His role as the sacrificial Lamb.

Lessons for Believers

The accounts of slander against Christ offer several lessons for believers. First, they remind Christians of the reality of persecution and false accusations that may arise for those who follow Christ. Second, they call believers to uphold truth and integrity, avoiding the sin of slander in their own lives. Finally, they encourage believers to trust in God's justice, knowing that He will ultimately vindicate the righteous.

In summary, the slander against Jesus Christ is a significant aspect of the Gospel narrative, revealing the depth of human sin and the redemptive purpose of Christ's suffering. Through these events, believers are called to reflect on their own conduct and to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 26:59-61
Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Three Witnesses
... may at the first breath of a slander blazon it ... Lastly, THESE WITNESSES CERTIFY TO
US THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH ... never read it; those who rail against Christ do not ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 20 1874/the three witnesses.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... he wounds him to whom he reports the slander, by causing ... so wicked as to bear false
witness against others. ... who was accused by two false witnesses of unchastity ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... not stand alone, but you have those witnesses with you ... such tongues right if their
itch for slander were severely ... that every one may learn to guard against it. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not bear false.htm

How Saints May Help the Devil
... If sinners slander us, it is because we make them ... and the filthiness of thy skirts
witnesses against thee ... O church of Christ, thy Nazarites were purer than snow ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/how saints may help the.htm

Civ. To Flavianus, Bishop of Constantinople.
... same, having not only these as witnesses of the ... only, we are obliged to marshal against
them the ... I beseech your holiness to scatter the slander raised against ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/civ to flavianus bishop of.htm

The Epistle of Alexander, Bishop of Alexandria to Alexander ...
... us before the courts, suborning as witnesses certain unprincipled ... the Christ, and
try to slander our reverence ... have thus dared to act against Christ, who have ...
/.../chapter iii the epistle of alexander.htm

The Greatest Trial on Record
... Let Satan slander, but Christ pleads. ... But for all this, though the witnesses were
ready to perjure ... Sin is a traitor; it rebels against the king of heaven and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the greatest trial on record.htm

On Admonition and Repentance.
... Thou shalt not slander any man, lest they call thee Satan. ... Thou hast satisfied Christ
thy Lord ... needy is he, and not rich, whose need witnesses against him that ...
/.../hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/on admonition and repentance.htm

Against vigilantius.
... Eunomius, the father of this heresy, slander the Churches ... of stumbling, lest he strike
against something, and ... and looks which shun the presence of witnesses? ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against vigilantius.htm

Letter ccxxiii. Against Eustathius of Sebasteia.
... me how very easy it is for accusers to slip into slander. ... in weighing the severity
of the law against the common ... time I can adduce no better witnesses than the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxiii against eustathius of.htm