We hear the false witnesses singing in a canon, suggesting they rehearsed their lies but aren't quite synchronized. A subtle musical joke by Bach to show their unreliability.
Before Caiaphas
Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen
Recitative
•Evangelist, Witnesses, High Priest
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No. 35part_39
Evangelist
Yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said:
Two Witnesses
This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Evangelist
And the high priest arose, and said unto him:
High Priest
Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Evangelist
But Jesus held his peace.
German
English
Evangelist
Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten, fanden sie doch keines. Zuletzt traten herzu zwei falsche Zeugen und sprachen:
Evangelist
Yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, and said:
Zwei Zeugen
Er hat gesagt, ich kann den Tempel Gottes abbrechen und in dreien Tagen denselben bauen.
Two Witnesses
This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
Evangelist
Und der Hohepriester stund auf und sprach zu ihm:
Evangelist
And the high priest arose, and said unto him:
Hohepriester
Antwortest du nichts zu dem, das diese wider dich zeugen?
High Priest
Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
Evangelist
Aber Jesus schwieg.
Evangelist
But Jesus held his peace.
Modern adaptation
Finally, two witnesses come forward twisting Jesus' words about rebuilding the temple. Caiaphas asks Jesus for a defense, but Jesus remains silent.