Definition: Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Matthew 26:65. It’s a really important and dramatic moment in Jesus’s life. Here's the explanation, simplified: What’s Happening: Jesus is being confronted by a high priest who is upset about something he said. He’s essentially saying, “You’ve made a mistake! You’re saying things that are false and misleading.” Let’s unpack the words: “Then the high priest rent his clothes…” - This shows how shocked and offended he was. It’s like someone just getting caught in a lie. “…saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses?” – “He hath spoken blasphemy” means Jesus is saying something that goes against God's word or the established truth. It’s essentially claiming something is false and not true according to God. “What further need have we of witnesses?” asks him, implying he thinks this person needs to confirm his claims. The Big Picture: This verse is a key part of Jesus’s betrayal during the Garden of Gethsemane. He was in a place where he knew his followers were about to arrest him. He was feeling overwhelmed and anxious because he knew what he was about to do – he was going to offer himself as a sacrifice for their sins. What it means: Jesus is being accused of lying. It’s a serious accusation, and Jesus understood it. It signifies his impending suffering. The high priest's reaction shows that Jesus's actions were likely to have significant consequences – he was about to be crucified. In short, this verse describes a moment where Jesus recognized someone was trying to trick him with false words and is feeling very upset about it. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail? Connect it to a specific event or story from the Bible?