A commission of the chief priests awaited the result of the treachery of Judas at the house of Caiaphas. They had made up their minds what to do, but the form of a trial was necessary. The false witnesses were obviously unable to establish a sufficient case, and our Lord maintained a dignified silence. It was too much for Caiaphas, and he put his prisoner on his oath. Our Lord made no attempt to parry the issue or turn aside from the challenge, but replied: I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. See Psalms 110:1; Daniel 7:13. Then followed a shameful scene, Mark 14:65. But our Lord was as self-restrained in the use of His mighty powers as if He had been one of the most helpless of men. The graphic story of the denial, which took place at the time of the trial in the servants' hall, was probably given to the evangelist by Peter himself. What a contrast between the strength of the Master and the weakness of the disciple! Yet Peter was forgiven and made the Apostle of the Pentecost! We may have hope! [source]
Chapter Summary: Mark 14
1A conspiracy against Jesus 3Expensive perfume is poured on his head by a woman 10Judas sells his Master for money 12Jesus himself foretells how he will be betrayed by one of his disciples; 22after the passover prepared, and eaten, institutes his last supper; 26declares beforehand the flight of all his disciples, and Peter's denial 43Judas betrays him with a kiss 46Jesus is apprehended in the garden; 53falsely accused and impiously condemned of the council; 65shamefully abused by them; 66and thrice denied by Peter
Greek Commentary for Mark 14:56
Their witness agreed not together [ισαι αι μαρτυριαι ουκ ησαν] Literally, the testimonies were not equal. They did not correspond with each other on essential points. [source]
Many were bearing false witness [επσευδομαρτυρουν] Note imperfects in these verses (Mark 14:55-57) to indicate repeated failures. [source]
against him [] . No two witnesses bore joint testimony to justify a capital sentence according to the law (Deuteronomy 19:15). Note imperfects in these verses (Mark 14:55-57) to indicate repeated failures. [source]
Their witness agreed not [] Peculiar to Mark. Lit., their testimonies were not equal. Hence the difficulty of fulfilling the requirement of the law, which demanded two witnesses. See Deuteronomy 17:6; and compare Matthew 18:16; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28. [source]
Parse: Verb, Imperfect Indicative Active, 3rd Person Plural
Root: ψευδομαρτυρέω
Sense: to utter falsehoods in giving testimony, to testify falsely, to bear false witness.
Greek Commentary for Mark 14:56
Literally, the testimonies were not equal. They did not correspond with each other on essential points. [source]
Note imperfects in these verses (Mark 14:55-57) to indicate repeated failures. [source]
. No two witnesses bore joint testimony to justify a capital sentence according to the law (Deuteronomy 19:15). Note imperfects in these verses (Mark 14:55-57) to indicate repeated failures. [source]
Peculiar to Mark. Lit., their testimonies were not equal. Hence the difficulty of fulfilling the requirement of the law, which demanded two witnesses. See Deuteronomy 17:6; and compare Matthew 18:16; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28. [source]