What does Matthew 26:57-75 mean?
"And those that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days. 62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 63 But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. 65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy. 66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death. 67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly." - Matthew 26:57-75
The Bible verse Matthew 26:57-75 from the King James Version recounts the events leading up to and following the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. This passage takes place in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is arrested and brought before the high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin for questioning.
Verse 57 begins by describing the scene as Jesus is led away to the high priest's house, where the scribes and elders are gathered. It is important to note the context in which this account takes place, as it is the culmination of Jesus' ministry and the beginning of his journey to the cross. The tension and drama of this moment are palpable as Jesus is brought before the religious authorities who seek to discredit and condemn him.
In verse 59, we see that the chief priests and council sought false witness against Jesus to put him to death. This action reflects the lengths to which the religious leaders were willing to go in order to silence Jesus and maintain their position of power. The manipulation of the truth and the disregard for justice are themes that are prevalent throughout this passage.
As the trial progresses, we see the failure of the false witnesses to provide evidence against Jesus (verse 60). Despite their best efforts, they are unable to fabricate a case against him. This speaks to the innocence and righteousness of Jesus, who stands blameless in the face of false accusations and unjust treatment.
In verse 63, the high priest Caiaphas addresses Jesus directly, asking him to respond to the accusations brought against him. It is in this moment that Jesus' true identity is revealed, as he acknowledges that he is the Son of God, the Messiah. This bold declaration by Jesus leads to outrage among the religious leaders, who see it as blasphemy and grounds for condemning him to death.
The denial of Peter in verses 69-75 provides a poignant contrast to Jesus' unwavering commitment to the truth. As Jesus is being questioned and falsely accused, Peter is confronted about his association with Jesus and denies knowing him three times, just as Jesus had prophesied. This moment highlights the weakness and fallibility of human nature, as well as the power of fear to lead people into betraying their beliefs and relationships.
Symbolism is evident throughout this passage, particularly in the motifs of truth and falsehood. The contrast between the false witnesses and the truthfulness of Jesus conveys the overarching theme of the battle between good and evil. The symbolism of the rooster crowing as Peter denies Jesus reinforces the idea of betrayal and the consequences of denying one's faith.
In conclusion, Matthew 26:57-75 depicts a pivotal moment in the life of Jesus, as he is unjustly accused and condemned by the religious authorities. The themes of truth, injustice, betrayal, and human frailty are central to this passage, offering profound insights into the nature of faith and the conflicts that arise in the pursuit of righteousness. Through the lens of the King James Version, this account serves as a reminder of the enduring significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the complexities of human behavior in the face of adversity.
Have questions about Matthew 26:57-75?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Matthew 26:57-75 Artwork
Matthew 26:57-75 - "And those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said. But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!" After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away." Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly."
"And those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” “He is worthy of death,” they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?” Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said. But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said. Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth." He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!" After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away." Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly." - Matthew 26:57-75
Matthew 26:75 - "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly."
Matthew 26:57 - "¶ And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled."
"¶ And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled." - Matthew 26:57
"And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly." - Matthew 26:75
Numbers 26:57 - "¶ And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites."
Matthew 27:57 - "When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:"
Matthew 13:57 - "And they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country, and in his own house."
1 Chronicles 6:75 - "And Hukok with her suburbs, and Rehob with her suburbs:"
Psalms 75:5 - "Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck."
Matthew 26:25
Matthew 26:15
Matthew 19:26
Matthew 26:15
Matthew 27:26
Luke 1:75 - "In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life."
Psalms 75:9 - "But I will declare for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob."
Psalms 75:2 - "When I shall receive the congregation I will judge uprightly."
Matthew 27:26
Matthew 26:53
Matthew 26:41
Matthew 26:65
Matthew 26:53
Psalms 75:4 - "I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:"
Psalms 75:7 - "But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."
"¶ And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites." - Numbers 26:57
Numbers 7:75 - "One young bullock, one ram, one lamb of the first year, for a burnt offering:"
Psalms 75:10 - "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted."
Psalms 75:3 - "The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved: I bear up the pillars of it. Selah."