Jesus before the Council (MAT 26:57-68)

[26:57] Those who had arrested Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the High Priest, where the teachers of the Law and the elders had gathered together.

[26:58] Peter followed from a distance, as far as the courtyard of the High Priest's house. He went into the courtyard and sat down with the guards to see how it would all come out.

[26:59] The chief priests and the whole Council tried to find some false evidence against Jesus to put him to death;

[26:60] but they could not find any, even though many people came forward and told lies about him. Finally two men stepped up

[26:61] and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to tear down God's Temple and three days later build it back up.’”

[26:62] The High Priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Have you no answer to give to this accusation against you?”

[26:63] But Jesus kept quiet. Again the High Priest spoke to him, “In the name of the living God I now put you under oath: tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

[26:64] Jesus answered him, “So you say. But I tell all of you: from this time on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of heaven!”

[26:65] At this the High Priest tore his clothes and said, “Blasphemy! We don't need any more witnesses! You have just heard his blasphemy!

[26:66] What do you think?” They answered, “He is guilty and must die.”

[26:67] Then they spat in his face and beat him; and those who slapped him

[26:68] said, “Prophesy for us, Messiah! Guess who hit you!”