Definition: Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Matthew 26:59. It's a really important and unsettling part of the story of Jesus’ arrest. Here's what it means in simple terms: “Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death.” Let’s unpack that: "The chief priests, and elders, and all the council..." – This refers to a group of religious leaders – priests, elders, and officials – who were part of the Jewish leadership at the time. They were very powerful and influential in the community. "...seeking false witness..." – “False witness” means lying or providing inaccurate information to try and get someone punished unfairly. They weren’t simply disagreeing with Jesus; they were actively trying to make a false accusation against him. "...against Jesus..." – This is the core of the story. They were trying to accuse Jesus of something he hadn't done yet - that he was guilty of some crime. What was this about? This happened because Jesus had just warned them that he was going to be killed. The leaders, feeling threatened or perhaps wanting to avoid their own punishment, decided to try and falsely accuse him. They were trying to manipulate the situation to make it look like Jesus was involved in something he wasn't. Why is this important? This event is a crucial moment because it shows that even within the Jewish community, there was division and potentially malicious intent. It highlights the difficulty of maintaining peace and justice when people are driven by fear or self-interest. It also sets the stage for Jesus’ suffering and ultimately his crucifixion. In short: The leaders were trying to frame Jesus for something he didn't do, which led to a dangerous situation where someone could be falsely accused and put on trial. --- Do you want me to explain anything in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Talk about the context of this event in Matthew 26? Explain what "false witness" means in a broader sense?