Mark 14:63
Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
G749
ἀρχιερεὺς
the high priest
Strong's:
G749
Word #:
3 of 13
the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest
τοὺς
G3588
τοὺς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
G846
αὐτοῦ
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 13
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
λέγει
and saith
G3004
λέγει
and saith
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
Τί
What
G5101
Τί
What
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
9 of 13
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
χρείαν
need
G5532
χρείαν
need
Strong's:
G5532
Word #:
11 of 13
employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution
Cross References
Historical Context
The high priest wore multiple layers: inner tunic, outer robe, ephod, and breastplate. Tearing referred to the inner garments. Tradition held that witnessing blasphemy required visible mourning through garment-rending. However, Leviticus 21:10 explicitly forbade this for the high priest: 'he shall not...rend his clothes.' Caiapas thus committed sacrilege while accusing Jesus of it. After AD 70, the Talmud records that temple doors spontaneously opened, fulfilling Jesus's prophecy of the temple's destruction.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the irony of the high priest tearing his garments while the true High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) stands intact?
- How did Caiaphas violate the very law he claimed to defend in his dramatic response?
- Why was Jesus's self-identification as the Son of Man more threatening than His earlier miracle-working?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Then the high priest rent his clothes (ὁ δὲ ἀρχιερεὺς διαρρήξας τοὺς χιτῶνας αὐτοῦ, ho de archiereus diarrēxas tous chitōnas autou)—The verb διαρρήγνυμι (diarrēgnymi) means to tear completely. Leviticus 21:10 actually forbade the high priest from tearing his garments, making this act doubly significant: Caiaphas violated priestly law while claiming to defend it. The tearing symbolized horror at blasphemy, but ironically occurred as the true High Priest stood before him.
What need we any further witnesses? (τί ἔτι χρείαν ἔχομεν μαρτύρων; ti eti chreian echomen martyrōn?)—Having failed to secure legal testimony, Caiaphas seizes Jesus's confession as self-incrimination. Jesus had declared Himself the Son of Man who would come on clouds of glory (v. 62), claiming the divine 'I am' (ἐγώ εἰμι, egō eimi) of Exodus 3:14. The high priest recognized this as the ultimate claim to deity.