Jesus Before the Leaders^(A)

⁵³ The people who arrested Jesus led him to the house of the high priest, where all the ·leading [^Tchief] priests, the elders, and the ·teachers of the law [scribes] were gathered. ⁵⁴ Peter followed far behind and entered the courtyard of the high priest’s house. There he sat with the guards, warming himself by the fire.

⁵⁵ The ·leading [^Tchief] priests and the whole ·Jewish council [Sanhedrin; ^Cthe highest Jewish court] tried to find ·something that Jesus had done wrong [evidence/testimony against him] so they could ·kill [execute] him. But the council could find no proof of anything. ⁵⁶ Many people came and ·told false things [gave false testimony] about him, but all said different things—none of them agreed.

⁵⁷ Then some people stood up and ·lied [gave false testimony] about Jesus, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard this man say, ‘I will destroy this Temple that people made. And three days later, I will build another Temple not made by people.’” ⁵⁹ But even ·the things these people said [their testimony] did not agree.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood before them and asked Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? ·Don’t you have something to say about their [or What are these] ·charges [testimony] against you?” ⁶¹ But Jesus ·said nothing [was silent; Is. 53:7]; he did not answer.

The high priest asked Jesus another question: “Are you the ·Christ [Messiah], the Son of ·the blessed God [^Lthe blessed (one)]?”

⁶² Jesus answered, “I am. And ·in the future you will see [^Lyou will see] the Son of Man sitting at the right ·side [^Lhand; see 12:36] of God, the Powerful One, and coming on clouds ·in the sky [of heaven; Ps. 110:1; Dan. 7:13–14].”

⁶³ When the high priest heard this, he tore his clothes [^Ca sign of sorrow or outrage] and said, “Why do we need more witnesses? ⁶⁴ You all heard ·him say these things against God [the blasphemy]. What ·do you think [is your verdict]?”

They all said that Jesus was guilty and ·should [deserved to] die. ⁶⁵ Some of the people there began to spit at Jesus. They blindfolded him and beat him with their fists and said, “·Prophesy! [Prove you are a prophet!]” Then the guards led Jesus away and beat him.

Jesus Before the Leaders^(A)

⁵⁷ Those people who ·arrested [seized] Jesus led him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the ·teachers of the law [scribes] and the elders were gathered. ⁵⁸ Peter followed far behind to the courtyard of the high priest’s house, and he sat down with the guards to see ·what would happen to Jesus [^Lthe end/outcome].

⁵⁹ The ·leading [^Tchief] priests and the whole ·Jewish council [Sanhedrin; ^Cthe highest Jewish court] tried to find ·something false [false evidence/testimony] against Jesus so they could ·kill [execute] him. ⁶⁰ Many people came and ·told lies about him [testified falsely], but the council could find no real reason to kill him. ·Then [Finally] two people came and said, ⁶¹ “This man said, ‘I can destroy the Temple of God and build it again in three days.’”

⁶² Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? ·Don’t you have something to say about their [or What about these] ·charges [testimony] against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus ·said nothing [was silent; Is. 53:7].

Again the high priest said to Jesus, “I ·command you by the power of [demand in the name of; put you under oath by] the living God: Tell us if you are the ·Christ [Messiah], the Son of God.”

⁶⁴ Jesus answered, “·Those are your words [^LYou have said it/so; ^Can indirect affirmation]. But I tell you, ·in the future [^Lfrom now on] you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God, the ·Powerful One [or the place of power; ^Lpower], and coming on ·clouds in the sky [the clouds of heaven; Ps. 110:1; Dan. 7:13–14].”

⁶⁵ When the high priest heard this, he tore his clothes [^Ca sign of sorrow or outrage] and said, “This man has ·said things that are against God [blasphemed]! ·We don’t [Why should we…?] need any more witnesses; you all heard ·him say these things against God [the blasphemy]. ⁶⁶ What ·do you think [is your verdict]?”

The people answered, “He ·should [deserves to; is guilty and should] die.”

⁶⁷ Then the people there spat in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. Others slapped him. ⁶⁸ They said, “·Prove to us that you are a prophet [^LProphesy to/for us], you ·Christ [Messiah]! Tell us who hit you!”

¹³ and led him first to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who ·told [advised; counseled] the Jews that it would be better if one man died ·for [on behalf of] all the people.

Peter Says He Doesn’t Know Jesus^(A)

¹⁵ Simon Peter and another one of Jesus’ ·followers [disciples] ·went along after [followed] Jesus. This ·follower [disciple] knew the high priest, so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. ¹⁶ But Peter waited outside near the ·door [gate]. The ·follower [disciple] who knew the high priest came back outside, spoke to the ·girl at the door [gatekeeper; doorkeeper], and brought Peter inside. ¹⁷ The ·girl at the door [gatekeeper; doorkeeper] said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of that man’s ·followers [disciples]?”

Peter answered, “No, I am not!”

¹⁸ It was cold, so the ·servants [slaves; bond-servants] and guards [temple police] had built a [charcoal] fire and were standing around it, warming themselves. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

¹⁹ The high priest asked Jesus questions about his ·followers [disciples] and his teaching. ²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken ·openly [publicly] to ·everyone [^Lthe world]. I have always taught in synagogues and in the Temple, where all the Jews come together. I never said anything in secret. ²¹ So why do you question me? Ask the people who heard ·my teaching [^Lwhat I said to them]. They know what I said.”

²² When Jesus said this, one of the ·guards [officials; temple police] standing there ·hit [slapped] him. The ·guard [official; temple policeman] said, “Is that the way you answer the high priest?”

²³ Jesus answered him, “If I said something wrong, then ·show [testify to; witness to] what it was. But if what I said is ·true [right], why do you hit me?”

²⁴ Then Annas sent Jesus, who was still tied, to Caiaphas the high priest.