BibleWord.ai› Bible› Mark› Chapter 14› Verse 55

Mark 14:55

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does Mark 14:55 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.
Mark 14:55 — American Standard Version

Context — Mark 14

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
52but he left the linen cloth, and fled naked.
53And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light [of the fire].
55Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not.
56For many bare false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together.
57And there stood up certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.
← Mark 14:54Mark 14:56 →
← Full Chapter 14 Mark Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the chief priests, and all the council, etc..] Especially the former, who were of all most busy and active in this matter: sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; on which they were determined, right or wrong; in this they went contrary to one of their own canons, which runs thus f252: “in pecuniary causes, they begin either for absolution, or condemnation; but in capital causes, they begin for absolution, and do not begin for condemnation.” That is, they begun with such evidences as tended to acquit a man, and not with such as served to condemn him; whereas this court was only seeking for such evidence to begin with, that they might condemn Jesus to death: and found none;…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this fully explained in the notes at Matthew 26:57-75. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Mark 14". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/mark-14.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“All the council sought for witness and found none - What an amazing proof of the overruling providence of God, considering both their authority, and the rewards they could offer, that no two consistent witnesses could be procured, to charge him with any gross crime. Mat 26:59. Mark 14:56”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“14:55-59 The trial took place before the entire high council (Greek Sanhedrin), which had seventy members and was led by the high priest. The Gospels portray a formal trial: There was a search for witnesses (14:55), eyewitness testimony (14:56-59), Jesus being placed under oath (Matt 26:63), Jesus being allowed to defend himself (Mark 14:60), the high priest tearing his robe (14:63), and the concluding verdict by the Sanhedrin (14:64). This does not mean that it was a fair trial—the decision to put Jesus to death had already been made. Evidence was not sought to determine the truth, but to obtain a guilty verdict and death sentence. • False witnesses giving false testimony misrepresented…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“sought: Kg1 21:10, Kg1 21:13; Psa 27:12, Psa 35:11; Mat 26:59, Mat 26:60; Act 6:11-13, Act 24:1-13 and found: Dan 6:4; Pe1 3:16-18 Mark 14:57”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Mark 14 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification