Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 26:59-61

"Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; and they found it not, though many false witnesses came. But afterward came two, and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days." — Matthew 26:59-61 (ASV)

The enemies of Jesus wanted to put him to death. They must therefore have at least two witnesses against Him, for by the law of Moses the evidence of one witness was not sufficient to convict any person accused of a crime deserving the death penalty. The chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness, but found none until at last two false witnesses came, who wrested Christ’s words and misrepresented His meaning, but even they did not agree in their testimony (Mark 14:59) and therefore Jesus could not be condemned.