Mark 14:55

55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for 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).


FOOTNOTES:

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

Mark 14:55 In-Context

53 They took Jesus to the high priest; and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled.
54 Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.
55 Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death; but they found none.
56 For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree.
57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying,
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.