Scriptural Accounts of False Witnesses Against Jesus
The scriptural accounts of false witnesses against Jesus are primarily found in the Gospel narratives, particularly in Mark 14:56, which states that "many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent" [2]. This inconsistency is a crucial aspect, as it highlights the lack of credible evidence against Jesus.
The use of false witnesses was a common practice in ancient Jewish law, as noted in Deuteronomy 19:16-21, where it is written that false witnesses were liable to punishment [5]. The severity of this offense is underscored by the fact that witnesses were required to be the first to execute the sentence on the condemned (Deut. 13:9; 17:7; 1 Kings 21:13).
In the case of Jesus, the false witnesses testified against him during his trial before the Sanhedrin. According to John Gill's commentary on Acts 6:11, the Jews commonly suborned false witnesses, as they did in the cases of Jesus and Stephen [6]. The testimony of these false witnesses was often contradictory and unreliable, as seen in Mark 14:56 [2].
The early Church Fathers also addressed the issue of false witnesses. Augustine, in his Exposition on Psalms, notes that false witness was borne against the Lord before he suffered, and that even after his resurrection, the soldiers who watched his sepulchre were bribed to spread a lie [7]. This highlights the ongoing problem of false testimony in the early Christian community.
The consequences of bearing false witness are severe, as emphasized in various biblical passages. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists several references that condemn false swearing and highlight its consequences, including Leviticus 19:12, Numbers 30:2, and Zechariah 8:17 [4].
The theme of false witnesses is not limited to the trial of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 15:15, Paul writes that if Christ is not risen, then the apostles are "false witnesses of God" [1, 3]. This underscores the importance of truthful testimony in the Christian faith.
The Jewish tradition also emphasizes the severity of false witness. Rashi's commentary on Psalms 35:11 notes that false witnesses rise up constantly against the righteous [8].
The biblical accounts of false witnesses against Jesus serve as a warning against the dangers of false testimony and highlight the importance of truthfulness in the Christian faith. The early Church Fathers and Jewish tradition also underscore the severity of this offense, emphasizing the need for credible and reliable testimony.
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] 1 Corinthians 15:15 — Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.”
- Mark “Mark 14:56 (BSB) — For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 15:15 (Geneva1599) — And we are found also false witnesses of God: for we haue testified of God, that he hath raised vp Christ: whome he hath not raised vp, if so be the dead be not raised.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Swearing Falsely — Forbidden -- Le 19:12; Nu 30:2; Mt 5:33. Hateful to God -- Zec 8:17. We should not love -- Zec 8:17. Fraud often leads to -- Le 6:2,3. Saints abstain from -- Jos 9:20; Ps 15:4. Blessedness of abstaining from -- Ps 24:4,5. The wicked Addicted to. -- Jer 5:2; Ho 10:4. Plead excuses for. -- Jer 7:9,10. Shall be judged on account of. -- Mal 3:5. Shall be cut off for. -- Zec 5:3. Shall have a curse upon their houses for. -- Zec 5:4. False witnesses guilty of -- De 19:16,18. Exemplified Saul. -- 1Sa 19:6,10. Shimei. -- 1Ki 2:41-43. Jews. -- Eze 16:59. Ze”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Witness — More than one witness was required in criminal cases (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). They were the first to execute the sentence on the condemned (Deut. 13:9; 17:7; 1 Kings 21:13; Matt. 27:1; Acts 7:57, 58). False witnesses were liable to punishment (Deut. 19:16-21). It was also an offence to refuse to bear witness (Lev. 5:1).”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 6:11: Then they suborned men,.... Hired false witnesses, which seems to have been commonly done by the Jews; so they did in the case of Christ: which said, we have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God; that is, against the law of Moses, and so against God, who gave the law to Moses, as appears from Act 6:13 the blasphemous words seem to be, with respect to the ceremonial law, and the abrogation of it, which Stephen might insist upon, and they charged with blasphemy; see Act 6:14.”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 8: Augustine — Exposition on Psalms — A PSALM TO DAVID HIMSELF, ON THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE SABBATH. (part 15): false-witness was borne against the Lord, before He suffered. You know how atrocious false-witness was borne against Him, even after His resurrection. For those soldiers who watched His sepulchre of whom Isaiah spake, "I will appoint the wicked for His burial"[8] (for they were wicked men, and would not speak the truth, and being bribed they disseminated a lie), consider what "vanity" they spake. They also were examined, and they said, "While we slept, His disciples came and ”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Rashi (Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) on Psalms 35:11: False witnesses rise up constantly against me, etc.”