King James Version

What Does Mark 14:63 Mean?

Mark 14:63 in the King James Version says “Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?” — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?”

Mark 14:63 · KJV

Context

61

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?

62

And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

63

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?

64

Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

65

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Read Mark 14 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the irony of the high priest tearing his garments while the true High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) stands intact?
  2. How did Caiaphas violate the very law he claimed to defend in his dramatic response?
  3. Why was Jesus's self-identification as the Son of Man more threatening than His earlier miracle-working?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 13 words
ὁ1 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

δὲ2 of 13

“Then”

G1161

but, and, etc

ἀρχιερεὺς3 of 13

“the high priest”

G749

the high-priest (literally, of the jews; typically, christ); by extension a chief priest

διαῤῥήξας4 of 13

“rent”

G1284

to tear asunder

τοὺς5 of 13
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

χιτῶνας6 of 13

“clothes”

G5509

a tunic or shirt

αὐτοῦ7 of 13
G846

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

λέγει8 of 13

“and saith”

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Τί9 of 13

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ἔτι10 of 13

“any further”

G2089

"yet," still (of time or degree)

χρείαν11 of 13

“need”

G5532

employment, i.e., an affair; also (by implication) occasion, demand, requirement or destitution

ἔχομεν12 of 13

“we”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

μαρτύρων13 of 13

“witnesses”

G3144

a witness (literally (judicially) or figuratively (genitive case)); by analogy, a "martyr"

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 14:63 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 14:63 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:65Isaiah 36:22-37:1Jeremiah 36:23-24Acts 14:13-14Numbers 14:6Leviticus 21:10

Test Your Knowledge

Mark 14 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterMark Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Mark 14 with CommentaryAll Mark ChaptersComplete Mark QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes