Jesus before the High Priest

Matthew 26

Matthew 26:57 But those who were holding Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had joined together.

Matthew 26:58 Then Peter followed him from a distance, as far as the court of the high priest. And going inside, he sat down with the servants, so that he might see the end.

Matthew 26:59 Then the leaders of the priests and the entire council sought false testimony against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death.

Matthew 26:60 And they did not find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. Then, at the very end, two false witnesses came forward,

Matthew 26:61 and they said, “This man said: ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and, after three days, to rebuild it.’ ”

Matthew 26:62 And the high priest, rising up, said to him, “Have you nothing to respond to what these ones testify against you?”

Matthew 26:63 But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, “I bind you by an oath to the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

Matthew 26:64 Jesus said to him: “You have said it. Yet truly I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the power of God, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Matthew 26:65 Then the high priest tore his garments, saying: “He has blasphemed. Why do we still need witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy.

Matthew 26:66 How does it seem to you?” So they responded by saying, “He is guilty unto death.”

Matthew 26:67 Then they spit in his face, and they struck him with fists. And others struck his face with the palms of their hands,

Matthew 26:68 saying: “Prophesy for us, O Christ. Who is the one that struck you?”