Matthew 26:57-68

New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised

Jesus before the High Priest

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, in whose house the scribes and the elders had gathered. ⁵⁸ But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest; and going inside, he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end. ⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰ but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward ⁶¹ and said, ‘This fellow said, “I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.”’ ⁶² The high priest stood up and said, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ ⁶³ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, ‘I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah,^[a] the Son of God.’ ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, ‘You have said so. But I tell you,

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What is your verdict?’ They answered, ‘He deserves death.’ ⁶⁷ Then they spat in his face and struck him; and some slapped him, ⁶⁸ saying, ‘Prophesy to us, you Messiah!^[b] Who is it that struck you?’