Matthäus 26:60

60 und fanden keins. Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten, fanden sie doch keins. Zuletzt traten herzu zwei falsche Zeugen

Matthäus 26:60 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 26:60

But found none
That were fit for their purpose;

yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none;
whose testimonies were sufficient to put him to death, which was what they were resolved upon, or whose witness were not alike and agreed; for according to their law, a man must not die by the mouth of one witness only, but by the mouth of two or three witnesses agreed in a point; and though they might be willing enough to dispense with the law in this case, yet might have some regard to their own character and reputation; and especially as they meant to deliver him to the Roman governor, in order to be condemned by him; they knew they must have a charge, and this supported with a proper evidence, or they could not hope to succeed; for which reason, they could not put up, as they otherwise willingly would, with any sort of witnesses:

at the last came two false witnesses;
who were agreed in a point, and whose testimonies were alike; at least, had a greater appearance of truth and agreement than the rest; though Mark says, "neither so did their witnesses agree together", ( Mark 14:59 ) , as to prove the point, for which it was given.

Matthäus 26:60 In-Context

58 Petrus aber folgte ihm nach von ferne bis in den Palast des Hohenpriesters und ging hinein und setzte sich zu den Knechten, auf daß er sähe, wo es hinaus wollte.

59 Die Hohenpriester aber und die Ältesten und der ganze Rat suchten falsch Zeugnis gegen Jesus, auf daß sie ihn töteten,

60 und fanden keins. Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten, fanden sie doch keins. Zuletzt traten herzu zwei falsche Zeugen

61 und sprachen: Er hat gesagt: Ich kann den Tempel Gottes abbrechen und in drei Tagen ihn bauen.

62 Und der Hohepriester stand auf und sprach zu ihm: Antwortest du nichts zu dem, was diese wider dich zeugen?