Chapter

Matthew 26:62

ESV And the high priest stood up and said, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?"
NIV 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?"
NASB The high priest stood up and said to Him, 'Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?'
CSB The high priest stood up and said to him, "Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?"
NLT Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, 'Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?'
KJV And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
NKJV And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”

What does Matthew 26:62 mean?

The ruling council is seeking something they can accuse Jesus of that deserves a death sentence (Matthew 26:57–59). They are running out of options. After a string of failed false accusations (Mark 14:56–59), two men have finally mis-quoted Jesus, claiming He has said something which could be understood as blasphemy against the temple (Matthew 26:60–61). Not only are these not His actual words (John 2:19–21), but Jesus was speaking about His future resurrection from the dead.

Caiaphas wants to move things along. To make this sham trial at least appear valid, He wants to charge Jesus with something based directly on His own words before the council. The high priest insists Jesus answer this charge against Him. He's likely looking to trap Jesus in a lie, an admission of guilt, or some other mistake.

Jesus will not answer these prejudiced questions (Isaiah 53:7). When He does speak, He will utter a truth which the council interprets as blasphemy and sufficient to have Him killed.
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