Jesus before His Accusers

53 aThey led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes * gathered together.

54 Peter had followed Him at a distance, aright into bthe courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the 1officers and cwarming himself at the 2fire.

55 Now the chief priests and the whole 1aCouncil kept trying to obtain testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.

56 For many were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimony was not consistent.

57 Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying,

58 “We heard Him say, ‘aI will destroy this 1temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’ ”

59 Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent.

60 The high priest stood up and came forward and questioned Jesus, saying, “Do You not answer? 1What is it that these men are testifying against You?”

61 aBut He kept silent and did not answer. bAgain the high priest was questioning Him, and 1saying to Him, “Are You 2the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see athe Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and bcoming with the clouds of heaven.”

63 aTearing his clothes, the high priest * said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?

64 “You have heard the ablasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.

65 Some began to aspit at Him, and 1bto blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “cProphesy!” And the officers 2received Him with 3slaps in the face.