Mark 14:60 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?"

NIV: Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"

NASB: And then the high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, 'Do You not offer any answer for what these men are testifying against You?'

CSB: Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, "Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?"

NLT: Then the high priest stood up before the others and asked Jesus, 'Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?'

KJV: And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

NKJV: And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”

Jesus is on trial in front of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish governing body. The Sanhedrin has resorted to perjury in their attempt to find Jesus guilty of a capital offense (Matthew 26:59). Jesus is first taken to Annas, the former high priest, who goads Jesus about His teaching. This is an attempt to get Him to incriminate Himself (John 18:19). Jesus refuses, telling him the men around them had heard His teaching and should testify as to whether Jesus spoke wrongly (John 18:20–21). Any capital offence must be corroborated by the testimony of two witnesses, and that testimony must agree.

Annas sends Jesus to Caiaphas, Annas' son-in-law and the current high priest. Although many witnesses come forward, none of their testimonies match. This isn't surprising, since the witnesses would have been interviewed individually, and they were all lying (Mark 14:56).

While this false testimony is being given, Jesus remains silent, fulfilling Isaiah 53:7, the prophecy of the Suffering Servant. Throughout His ministry, Jesus has referred to Himself as the "Son of Man," a term taken from Daniel 7:13–14. Daniel prophesied that the Ancient of Days will give "one like a son of man…dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him." The disciples have enthusiastically accepted Jesus' identity as the Son of Man and look forward to the establishment of His kingdom (Mark 10:35–37).

The disciples have a harder time accepting that the Son of Man can also be the Suffering Servant. Peter even tells Jesus He's wrong (Mark 8:31–33). Here in this trial, as John watches and Peter observes from another courtyard, they must begin to understand. Jesus does not open His mouth to defend Himself against the false accusations (Mark 14:61; Isaiah 53:7). Soon, Jesus will fulfill the rest of Isaiah chapter 53.

Mark 14:53–65 happens immediately after Jesus' arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus will face four separated trials, in multiple segments. The first is with the Sanhedrin, the council that judges if Jews have broken the Mosaic law. The second trial is with Pilate, the Roman governor (Mark 15:1–5). Pilate sends Jesus to Herod Antipas, who rules over Jesus' home district of Galilee and happens to be in town (Luke 23:6–16). Herod sends Jesus back to Pilate who, at the Sanhedrin's insistence, sentences Jesus to death (Mark 15:6–15). Jesus' interview with the Sanhedrin is also found in Matthew 26:57–68, Luke 22:63–71, and John 18:12–14, 19–24.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.