World English Bible

Matthew 26:59

“Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;”

Verse in context — Matthew 26

Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

But Peter followed him from a distance, to the court of the high priest, and entered in and sat with the officers, to see the end.

Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;

and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward,

and said, "This man said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

Jesus as the promised Messiah, fulfilling Old Testament prophecy.