“Multi enim testimonium falsum dicebant adversus eum : et convenientia testimonia non erant.”
“For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.”
“For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent.”
“For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other.”
“For many bare false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together.”
Their evidence did not agree. Others translate, their testimonies were not sufficient; that is, so as to amount to a crime that made him guilty of death. The Greek, as well as the Latin text, may be taken in either sense. The high priest, vexed at this, stood up, and asked him questions, hoping to make him appear guilty by his own confession. (Witham) — This latter sense is given to the same expression, ver. 59. infra.
Verses 53-65 We have here Christ's condemnation before the great council of the Jews. Peter followed; but the high priest's fire-side was no proper place, nor his servants proper company, for Peter: it was an entrance into temptation. Great diligence was used to procure false witnesses against Jesus, yet their testimony was not equal to the charge of a capital crime, by the utmost stretch of their law. He was asked, Art thou the Son of the Blessed? that is, the Son of God. For the proof of his being the Son of God, he refers to his second coming. In these outrages we have proofs of man's enmity to God, and of God's free and unspeakable love to man.