Now—the council sought false witness— When the council found that Jesus declined answering the question whereby they would have drawn from him an acknowledgment of his being the Messiah, (see John 18:19; John 18:40.) they examined many witnesses to prove his having assumed that character: for by what afterwards happened it appears, that they considered such a pretension as blasphemy in his mouth, who, being nothing but a man, as they supposed, could not, without affronting the majesty of God, take the title of God's Son, which of right belonged to the Messiah. In examining the witnesses, they acted like interested and enraged persecutors, rather than impartial judges; for they formed the questions after such a manner, as, if possible, to draw from them expressions which they might pervert into grounds of guilt, whereuponthey might condemn Jesus. But notwithstanding they were at the utmost pains to procure such a proof as in the eye of the law would justify the sentence which they were resolved at all hazards to pass upon Jesus, they exerted themselves to no purpose. As this was a great proof of Christ's innocence (for otherwise his confederates might have been glad to purchase their own security by impeaching him), so is it a singular instance of the power of God over men's minds; that for all the rewards which these great men could offer, no two consistent witnesses could be procured to charge Jesus with any gross crimes. Possibly the exertion of his miraculous power, in striking to the ground those who were most forward to seize him, might intimidate the spirits of some, who might otherwise have been prevailed upon. See John 18:6.
Related Commentaries of Matthew 26:59
Matthew 26:59-60
59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;
60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,