Before the High Priest

⁵³They took Jesus to the high priest, where all the chief priests, elders, and scribes had gathered. ⁵⁴Peter followed at a distance, all the way into the courtyard of the high priest's residence. He sat down with the guards and warmed himself by the fire. ⁵⁵The chief priests and the entire council were trying to find testimony against Jesus so they could execute him, but they couldn't find any. ⁵⁶Many people gave false testimony against him, but their stories contradicted each other. ⁵⁷Then some men stood up and gave this false testimony: ⁵⁸"We heard him say, 'I will tear down this temple made by human hands, and in 3 days I will build another one, not made by human hands.'" ⁵⁹But even on this point, their stories didn't match. ⁶⁰The high priest stood up before the assembly and demanded of Jesus, "Aren't you going to answer? What do you have to say about these accusations?" ⁶¹But Jesus stayed silent and gave no answer. The high priest pressed him again: "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" ⁶²Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven." ⁶³The high priest tore his clothes and said, "Why do we need any more witnesses? ⁶⁴You've heard the blasphemy! What's your verdict?" They all condemned him as deserving death. ⁶⁵Some began to spit on him, cover his face, beat him with their fists, and say to him, “Prophesy!” The servants struck him with the palms of their hands.