Mark 14:55 Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.

Who was trying to obtain testimony against Jesus?

“the chief priests and the whole Council” (Mark 14:55)

οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς (“the chief priests”) (masculine plural)

“a priest of high rank, chief priests. In Israel’s cultic life. The plural is used in the New Testament and Josephus…to denote members of the Sanhedrin who belonged to highpriestly families: ruling high priests, those who had been deposed, and adult male members of the most prominent priestly families” (BDAG, 139).

τὸ συνέδριον (“the Council”) “the high council in Jerusalem, Sanhedrin, the dominant meanings in our literature (Josephus. [Schürer II 206, 18]; Hebraized in the Mishnah סַנְהֶדְרִין); in Roman times this was the highest indigenous governing body in Judaea, composed of high priests (ἀρχιερεύς 1ba) elders, and scholars (scribes), and meeting under the presidency of the ruling high priest. This body was the ultimate authority not only in religious matters, but in legal and governmental affairs as well, in so far as it did not encroach on the authority of the Roman procurator. The latter, e. g., had to confirm any death sentences passed by the council” (BDAG, 967).

What are the chief priests and the whole Council trying to obtain against Jesus?

Testimony (Mark 14:55)

Μαρτυρία (“testimony) “confirmation or attestation on the basis of personal knowledge or belief, testimony; testimony in court” (BDAG, 619).

Why are the chief priests and the whole council seeking testimony against Jesus?

To put Him to death (Mark 14:55)

Θανατῶσαι (Aorist Active Infinitive of θανατόω, “to cause cessation of life, put to death literally τινά kill someone, hand someone over to be killed, especially of the death sentence and its execution” (BDAG, 443).

What testimony against Jesus are they finding?

“They were not finding any” (Mark 14:55)

Father,

You are the wise, just and powerful Judge Whose judgments are always righteous, and true. Your wrath is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. Those of hard and impenitent heart are storing up wrath for themselves on the day of wrath when Your righteous judgment will be revealed. For those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. Your wrath comes upon the sons of disobedience. But for those who have believed and received the testimony of Jesus, in Whom is the forgiveness of sins, who have now been justified by His blood, how much more will we be saved by Him from Your wrath. Whoever hears Jesus’ Word and believes You who sent Jesus has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Glory to You for Your holiness. Glory to You for Your righteous judgment. Glory to You for Your abounding grace. For You so loved the world that You gave Your only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.