Matthew 26:59

“For unknown to himself every one is before the questioning of temptation: just as of himself Peter in his confidence was ignorant, and by denying learned what kind of powers he had, in his very stumbling he perceived that it was falsely he had been…” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 35–69.

“They made up false accusations, because they could not find true ones.” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 59.

“Then Matthew’s report goes on thus: “Now the chief priests and elders and all the council sought false witness against Jesus, to put Him to death, but found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 59, 60.

“But up to this point they have given no account of the occurrences belonging specifically to the morning.” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 59-xxvii. 1, 2; Mark xiv. 55-xv. 1, 2.

When the Chief Priests were thus assembled, this conventicle of ruffians sought to give their conspiracy the character of a legal trial. But it was entirely a scene of confusion and uproar, as what follows shews,…

False witnesses have place when there is any good colour for their testimony. But no pretext was found which could further their falsehoods against Jesus; notwithstanding there were many desirous to do a favour to…

“At last came two false witnesses.” How are they false witnesses, when they repeat only what we read that the Lord spoke? A false witness is one who takes what is said in a different sense from that in which it was…

Why did they not bring forward now His breaking the Sabbath? Because He had so often confuted them on this point.

Headlong and uncontrolled rage, unable to find even a false accusation, moves the High Priest from his throne, the motion of his body shewing the emotion of his mind. “And the High Priest arose, and said unto him,…

He said this with a design to draw from Him some indefensible answer which might be made a snare for Him. But “Jesus held his peace,” for defence had availed nothing when none would listen to it. For here was only a…

This place teaches us to contemn the clamours of slanderers and false witnesses, and not to consider those who speak unbeseeming things of us worthy of an answer; but then, above all, when it is greater to be…

For as God, He knew that whatever He said would be twisted into an accusation against Him. But at this His silence before false witnesses and ungodly Priests, the High Priest was exasperated, and summons Him to…

Under the Law, we do indeed find many instances of this adjuration; but I judge that a man who would live according to the Gospel should not adjure another; for if we are not permitted to swear, surely not to adjure.…

The same fury which drew the High Priest from his seat, impels him now to rend his clothes; for so it was customary with the Jews to do whenever they heard any blasphemy, or any thing against God.

This He did to give weight to the accusation, and to confirm by deeds what He taught in words.

And by this rending his garments, he shews that the Jews have lost the priestly glory, and that their High Priest’s throne was vacant. For by rending his garment he rent the veil of the Law which covered him.

Then, after rending his garment, he did not give sentence of himself, but asked of others, saying, “What think ye?” As was always done in undeniable cases of sin, and manifest blasphemy, and as by force driving them…

How great their error! to pronounce the principle of all men’s life to be guilty of death, and not to acknowledge by the testimony of the resurrection of so many, the Fount of life, from Whom life flows to all that…

As hunters who have started their game, so they exhibit a wild and drunken exultation.

“They spit in his face, and buffeted him,” to fulfil the prophecy of Esaias, “I gave my cheek to the smiters, and turned not away my face from shame and spitting.” [Isa 50:6]

“Prophesy unto us” is said in ridicule of His claim to be held as a Prophet by the people.

But it would have been foolish to have answered them that smote Him, and to have declared the smiter, seeing that in their madness they seem to have struck Him openly.

Observe how circumstantially the Evangelist recounts all those particulars even which seem most disgraceful, hiding or extenuating nothing, but thinking it the highest glory that the Lord of the earth should endure…

That, “they did spit in his face,” signifies those who reject His proffered grace. They likewise buffet Him who prefer their own honour to Him; and they smite Him on the face, who, blinded with unbelief, affirm that…

Matthew 26:59 and Mark 14:55 share the same wording (13 words).

Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 26:59–68 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Origen on Matthew 26:59–68 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Origen on Matthew 26:59–68 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Origen on Matthew 26:59–68 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Origen on Matthew 26:59–68 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Jerome on Matthew 26:59–68 (6) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in John Chrysostom on Matthew 26:59–68 (5) (Catena Aurea).