ACC ~ Matthew 26 v59 - 62

THEY FOUND NO FALSE TESTIMONY

ORIGEN: From this it is clear that Jesus “committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips.” [1] His life was unimpeachable and completely blameless, leaving his enemies no opportunity for provocation. Clearly they found nothing to say against him or to insinuate by shading the truth (“the chief priests and the whole council sought false testimony,” but they could find none). There is room for false testimony when it is given with a shading of the truth; however, no shading of the truth was found which could further their lies against Jesus—although there were many who wished to find favor with Caiaphas and the chief priests and the scribes and the elders and the whole council. These avidly sought that testimony. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 107. [2]

[1] Is 53:9.

[2] GCS 38.2:226.

DESTROY AND REBUILD THE TEMPLE

JEROME: How can they be false witnesses if they said what we read the Lord had said before? Because a false witness takes the truth and twists its meaning. The Lord had spoken of the temple of his body, [1] but they falsely accused him with those very words. With a few things added or changed, they made it into an understandably false accusation. The Savior had said, “Destroy this temple.” They changed his words to say, “I can destroy God’s temple.” … But the Lord, indicating the living and breathing temple, had said, “And in three days I will raise it up.” [2] It is one thing to build and another to raise up. COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 4.26.61. [3]

[1] Jn 2:21.

[2] Jn 2:19.

[3] CCL 77:259-60.