Mark 14:53–65

Jesus before the Council

⁵³They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. ⁵⁴Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest, and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.^{* 55}Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. ⁵⁶For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. ⁵⁷Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ⁵⁸“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ”^{* 59}But even on this point their testimony did not agree. ⁶⁰Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” ⁶¹But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah,^t the Son of the Blessed One?”^{* 62}Jesus said, “I am, and

‘you will see the Son of Man

seated at the right hand of the Power’

and ‘coming with the clouds of heaven.’ ”^*

⁶³Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?^{* 64}You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.^{* 65}Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him.^*