What does Matthew 26:59 mean?
"Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;" - Matthew 26:59
Matthew 26:59 - "Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;"
Matthew 26:59 in the King James Version reads, "Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death."
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the arrest and trial of Jesus, which is a pivotal moment in the Christian faith. The verse illustrates the corrupt and unjust actions of the religious leaders in their attempt to condemn Jesus to death. The chief priests and elders, who were supposed to be the spiritual leaders of the Jewish people, are shown here as conspiring and seeking false testimony to use against Jesus.
The context of this verse is Jesus' betrayal, arrest, and subsequent trial. Judas has already bargained with the religious leaders to betray Jesus, and now they are attempting to find a way to have him put to death. To do this, they are resorting to dishonest and deceptive methods, seeking false witnesses who will testify against Jesus. It’s important to note that this was all happening during the Jewish celebration of Passover, a significant and holy time for the Jewish people.
One of the themes of this verse is that of injustice. The religious leaders, who were supposed to be focused on righteousness and justice, are instead bending the rules and seeking false testimony in their desire to eliminate Jesus. This highlights the corruption and moral decay within the religious institutions of the time. It also serves as a reminder of the danger of self-righteousness and the misuse of power.
Another theme is the fulfillment of prophecy. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous prophecies regarding the suffering and death of the Messiah. This verse, along with the events that follow, is a fulfillment of those prophecies. It is a reminder that Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion were not random events, but rather part of God’s plan for salvation.
The symbolism in this verse lies in the contrast between light and darkness. Jesus is described as the light of the world, and his arrest and trial are symbolic of the forces of darkness conspiring against him. The false witnesses sought by the religious leaders represent the darkness of deceit and lies, while Jesus represents the truth and the light. This serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare that is ongoing, with the forces of evil seeking to defeat the forces of good.
Overall, Matthew 26:59 is a crucial part of the narrative of Jesus' arrest and trial. It highlights the injustice and corruption of the religious leaders, the fulfillment of prophecy, and the symbolic struggle between light and darkness. It sets the stage for the events that will ultimately lead to Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, making it a pivotal moment in the Christian faith. This verse serves as a reminder of the ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil and the ultimate triumph of truth and righteousness.
Matthew 26:59 Artwork
Matthew 26:59 - "Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;"
Matthew 27:59 - "And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,"
Numbers 26:59 - "And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister."
Matthew 22:26 - "Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh."
Matthew 9:26 - "And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land."
Matthew 26:54 - "But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?"
Matthew 26:6 - "¶ Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper,"
Matthew 26:4 - "And consulted that they might take Jesus by subtilty, and kill him."
Matthew 26:26 - "¶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body."
Matthew 26:5 - "But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people."
Matthew 26:16 - "And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him."
Matthew 26:72 - "And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man."
Matthew 11:26 - "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight."
Matthew 26:20 - "Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve."
Matthew 26:30 - "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives."
Matthew 26:66 - "What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death."
Matthew 26:9 - "For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor."
Matthew 26:28 - "For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."
Matthew 26:19 - "And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the passover."
Matthew 15:26 - "But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs."
Matthew 26:49 - "And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him."
Matthew 26:11 - "For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always."
Matthew 26:14 - "¶ Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,"
Matthew 26:43 - "And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy."
Matthew 26:8 - "But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste?"
Matthew 26:12 - "For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial."
Matthew 26:46 - "Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me."
Matthew 26:32 - "But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee."
Matthew 10:26 - "Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known."
Matthew 26:68 - "Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?"