Mark 14:55

55 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.

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 The men took Jesus to the chief priest. All the chief priests, leaders, and scribes had gathered together.

54 Peter followed him at a distance and went into the chief priest's courtyard. He sat with the guards and warmed himself facing the glow of a fire.

55 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.

56 Many gave false testimony against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some men stood up and gave false testimony against him. They said,