sought for witness against = were seeking, 7c. This was contrary to their rule: "In judgments against the life of any man, they begin first to transact about quitting the party who is tried, and they begin not with those things which make for his condemnation". Sanhedr. cap. 4 (cited by Lightfoot, Pitman's ed., xi. 442) See the new edition of The Babylonian Talmud, vol. viii, p. 100. N. Talmud Pub. Co., N. Y., USA.
against. Greek. kata.App-104. As in verses: Mar_14:56, Mar_14:57.