Jesus Before the Sanhedrin^(A)(B)

⁵³ They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. ⁵⁴ Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.^(C) There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.^(D)

⁵⁵ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(E) were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. ⁵⁶ Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

⁵⁷ Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another,^(F) not made with hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶¹ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.^(G)

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”^(H)

⁶² “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^(I)

⁶³ The high priest tore his clothes.^(J) “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.^(K)

¹² Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials^(A) arrested Jesus. They bound him ¹³ and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,^(B) the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.^(C)

The High Priest Questions Jesus^(A)

¹⁹ Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

²⁰ “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues^(B) or at the temple,^(C) where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.^{(D) 21} Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

²² When Jesus said this, one of the officials^(E) nearby slapped him in the face.^(F) “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

²³ “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”^{(G) 24} Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas^(H) the high priest.