Mark 14:64
Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.
Original Language Analysis
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τί
what
G5101
τί
what
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
4 of 14
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
φαίνεται
think
G5316
φαίνεται
think
Strong's:
G5316
Word #:
6 of 14
to lighten (shine), i.e., show (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 14
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
Cross References
Leviticus 24:16And he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.John 19:7The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
Historical Context
Capital verdicts in the Sanhedrin required a one-day delay before sentencing (Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:1) to allow reflection and prevent hasty judgment. This trial violated that rule, moving from arrest to verdict in hours. 'Guilty of death' (ἔνοχος θανάτου, enochos thanatou) was a legal formula, but the Sanhedrin lacked authority to execute under Roman occupation, necessitating Pilate's involvement (15:1).
Questions for Reflection
- Was Jesus's claim truly blasphemy, or was it truth that the Sanhedrin refused to accept?
- How does the universal condemnation ('all') prefigure humanity's corporate guilt requiring Christ's substitutionary death?
- Why did the religious leaders view Jesus's self-identification as more dangerous than His miracle-working?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Ye have heard the blasphemy (ἠκούσατε τῆς βλασφημίας, ēkousate tēs blasphēmias)—The noun βλασφημία (blasphēmia) means reviling God's name or claiming divine prerogatives. Leviticus 24:16 prescribed death for blasphemy: 'he that blasphemeth the name of the LORD, he shall surely be put to death.' What think ye? (τί ὑμῖν φαίνεται; ti hymin phainetai?)—literally, 'How does it appear to you?' Caiaphas frames this as requiring their judgment, though the verdict was predetermined.
And they all condemned him to be guilty of death (οἱ δὲ πάντες κατέκριναν αὐτὸν ἔνοχον εἶναι θανάτου, hoi de pantes katekrinan auton enochon einai thanatou)—The verb κατακρίνω (katakrinō) means to judge against, condemn. The adjective ἔνοχος (enochos) means liable, guilty, deserving. The universal πάντες (pantes, 'all') indicts the entire Sanhedrin, though John 19:38-39 suggests Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus may have absented themselves or dissented.