Before the Council

53And they led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together.

54And Peter followed him from a distance, as far as inside the courtyard of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers and warming himself by the fire.

55The chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, and they were not finding any.

56For many were giving false testimony against him, and their testimonies were not consistent.

57And some stood up and were giving false testimony against him, saying,

58that, ‘We heard him saying, “I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another not made with hands.”’

59And not even in this way was their testimony consistent.

60And the high priest stood up in the middle and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do you answer nothing? What are these men testifying against you?”

61But he kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest questioned him and says to him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

63Then the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?”

64You have heard the blasphemy. What does it seem to you? And they all condemned him as deserving death.

65And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to strike him with their fists, and to say to him, “Prophesy!” And the officers received him with blows.