καταμαρτυρέω

I give evidence against

Definition

The verb καταμαρτυρέω means to bear witness or give evidence against someone, particularly in a legal or formal setting. It carries a negative connotation of testifying in a way that accuses or incriminates another person. In all four of its New Testament occurrences, it is used in the context of the trial of Jesus, where false witnesses are brought forward to testify against Him (Matthew 26:62, Matthew 27:13, Mark 14:60, Mark 15:4). The word emphasizes the adversarial nature of the testimony, aimed at securing a conviction.

Biblical Usage

This word is used exclusively in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Mark) during the narratives of Jesus's trial before the Jewish council and Pontius Pilate. In each instance, it describes the act of presenting accusatory testimony. For example, the high priest asks Jesus, "Do you answer nothing? What is it that these men testify against you?" (Matthew 26:62). The pattern shows it is a technical term for hostile, legal testimony intended to condemn.

Etymology

Derived from the preposition κατά (kata), meaning 'down' or 'against,' and the verb μαρτυρέω (martyreō), meaning 'to bear witness' or 'testify.' The compound form intensifies the root meaning to specifically denote testimony that is *against* someone. It is a legal term, with its cognate noun μάρτυς (martys) being the source of the English word 'martyr.'

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it highlights the injustice of Jesus's trial. The use of false or hostile testimony (καταμαρτυρέω) fulfills the prophecy of the suffering servant who was 'oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth' (Isaiah 53:7). It underscores that Jesus was condemned not by legitimate evidence, but by contrived accusations, emphasizing His voluntary submission to an unjust death for the sake of others. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by clarifying the legal and antagonistic force of the charges against Christ.

In the 1st-century Greco-Roman and Jewish world, formal testimony was a cornerstone of legal proceedings. Bearing witness against someone (καταμαρτυρέω) was a serious act with potentially severe consequences, including death. The cultural understanding involved a solemn responsibility to tell the truth. The Gospel accounts subvert this expectation by presenting false or misleading testimony against Jesus, revealing the corruption of the process and the fulfillment of prophetic themes of injustice.

διαβάλλω (diaballō, G1225) — to accuse or slander, often with a sense of hostility, but less specific to formal legal testimony. μαρτυρέω (martyreō, G3140) — the root verb meaning simply to bear witness, which can be positive, negative, or neutral. κατηγορέω (katēgoreō, G2723) — to bring charges or accuse in a general or legal sense, but not exclusively focused on the act of giving witness testimony.

Word Details

Scripture References