Mar 14:56-58 | KingComments | STEP | The trial that follows is not an investigation of His actions, but an attempt to cover murder with a semblance of righteousness. In their hatred they want only one thing: They must and will have something that they consider a valid reason to kill Him. They deliberately look for witnesses who can bring something against Him, no matter how false the accusation may be. Any witness who testifies against Him can only give a false testimony. Each time it turns out that the witnesses contradict each other. There are no two witnesses who bring the same slander against Him. They fall short, not in their wickedness, but in the certainty of what they testify. Then there are some who seem to give the prosecutors the necessary motive for their murder. The content of their testimony has to do with something the Lord said at the beginning of His performance ( ). But if the prosecutors ask about it, that testimony, too, is not consistent. It strongly seems that the leaders of the people have attached great value to the appearance of justice. Otherwise they would have persuaded two witnesses to say the same thing. But apparently they did not want to go that far, probably in view of possible questions that could be asked afterward. They cunningly covered themselves up for this in advance. At this point the judges should have released Him. However, the verdict was already final, only a ground for His conviction still had to and would be found. They will get it, and it will be the testimony of the truth. The Lord will be condemned on the basis of His own confession of the truth.

‏ Mark 14:56-58

Interrogation by the Council

The trial that follows is not an investigation of His actions, but an attempt to cover murder with a semblance of righteousness. In their hatred they want only one thing: They must and will have something that they consider a valid reason to kill Him.

They deliberately look for witnesses who can bring something against Him, no matter how false the accusation may be. Any witness who testifies against Him can only give a false testimony. Each time it turns out that the witnesses contradict each other. There are no two witnesses who bring the same slander against Him. They fall short, not in their wickedness, but in the certainty of what they testify.

Then there are some who seem to give the prosecutors the necessary motive for their murder. The content of their testimony has to do with something the Lord said at the beginning of His performance (Jn 2:19). But if the prosecutors ask about it, that testimony, too, is not consistent.

It strongly seems that the leaders of the people have attached great value to the appearance of justice. Otherwise they would have persuaded two witnesses to say the same thing. But apparently they did not want to go that far, probably in view of possible questions that could be asked afterward. They cunningly covered themselves up for this in advance.

At this point the judges should have released Him. However, the verdict was already final, only a ground for His conviction still had to and would be found. They will get it, and it will be the testimony of the truth. The Lord will be condemned on the basis of His own confession of the truth.