What Does Mark 14:60 Mean in the King James?

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

Mark 14:60 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The Greek root behind “witness” also gives us “martyr”: here, testimony is spoken with life at stake.

THE MEANING

When accusations gather around you, the demand for an answer can become another force bearing down. The questioner’s insistence does not, by itself, establish the charge.

THE ROOT

καταμαρτυροῦσιν

katamartyrousin

GROWS FROM

μαρτυρ-

martyr-

Bear witness or testify; the prefix ⁨κατα-⁩ (kata-, against) gives the verb its accusatory direction here.

The verb means “testify against,” placing the witnesses’ words at the center of the questioning. The same Greek word-family gives us ⁨μάρτυς⁩ (martys), “witness,” the source of “martyr”, a word that carries testimony toward the possibility of death.

ALSO GROWS

martys: Witness; one who bears testimony.

μάρτυς

This noun is the source of “martyr,” preserving the link between testimony and the cost of bearing witness.

martyria: Testimony or witness.

μαρτυρία

It names the testimony being demanded and shows that the question turns on what can be borne witness to.

THE PATTERN

A charge does not establish itself: testimony must be weighed apart from pressure to answer.

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Deuteronomy 19:15 · KJVThe charge is not established by a lone witness; testimony has to meet a standard beyond its own assertion.

False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not.

Psalm 35:11 · KJVThe verse shows that testimony can be spoken against someone and still be false.

Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

1 Peter 2:23 · KJVThe accused person does not let the demand to answer dictate the truth of the charge.

THE THREAD

Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?

John 18:23 · KJV

“Bear witness” comes from the same Greek ⁨μαρτυρ-⁩ (martyr-) family as the testimony directed against Jesus here. The question turns the demand toward the accuser: if there is evil, let it be witnessed.

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