⁵⁹ The chief priests and the elders and the entire Sanhedrin searched for false witness against Jesus to put Him to death, ⁶⁰ but they found none. Yes, though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.

At last two false witnesses 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 Then the high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” ⁶³ But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further need do we have for witnesses? See, now you have heard His blasphemy. ⁶⁶ What do you think?”

They answered, “He is guilty unto death.”

⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin requested testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. ⁵⁶ Many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.

⁵⁷ Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another not made with hands.’ ” ⁵⁹ But still their testimony did not agree.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Do You answer nothing? What is it which these men testify against You?” ⁶¹ But He kept silent and answered nothing.

Again the high priest asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

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

⁶³ The high priest tore his robes, saying, “What need do we have of any further witnesses? ⁶⁴ You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned Him as guilty unto death.

The High Priest Questions Jesus^(A)

¹⁹ The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His teaching.

²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and I said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why do you ask Me? Ask those who heard Me and what I have said to them. Certainly they know what I said.”

²² When He had said this, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Is that how You answer the high priest?”

²³ Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil, but if well, why do you strike me?” ²⁴ Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.