Mark 14:55

55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.

Mark 14:55 Meaning and Commentary

Mark 14:55

And the chief priests, and all the council
Especially the former, who were of all most busy and active in this matter:

sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death;
on which they were determined, right or wrong; in this they went contrary to one of their own canons, which runs thus ^F11:

``in pecuniary causes, they begin either for absolution, or condemnation; but in capital causes, they begin for absolution, and do not begin for condemnation.''

That is, they begun with such evidences as tended to acquit a man, and not with such as served to condemn him; whereas this court was only seeking for such evidence to begin with, that they might condemn Jesus to death:

and found none;
that would answer their purpose; (See Gill on Matthew 26:59).

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 Misn. Sanhedrin, c. 4. sect. 1.

Mark 14:55 In-Context

53 And they led Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled.

54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, and warming himself at the fire.

55 Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.

56 For many bore false witness against him, and their witness did not agree.

57 And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,