Jesus is Tried before the High Priest^(A)

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. ⁵⁸ Peter, however, followed him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard. He went inside and sat down with the servants to see how this would end.

⁵⁹ Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council^[a] were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death. ⁶⁰ But they couldn’t find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. At last two men came forward ⁶¹ and stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the sanctuary of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

⁶² At this, the high priest stood up and asked Jesus,^[b] “Don’t you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest told him, “I command you by the living God to tell us if you are the Messiah,^[c] the Son of God!”

⁶⁴ Jesus told him, “You have said so. Nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power’^[d] and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’”^[e]

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Listen! You yourselves have just heard the blasphemy! ⁶⁶ What is your verdict?”

They replied, “He deserves to die!”

⁶⁷ Then they spit in his face and hit him. Some slapped him, ⁶⁸ saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah!^[f] Who hit^[g] you?”

Peter Denies Jesus^(A)

⁵⁴ Then they arrested him, led him away, and brought him to the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. ⁵⁵ When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had taken their seats, Peter, too, sat down among them.

¹³ First they brought him to Annas, because he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the person who had advised the Jews that it was better to have one man die for the people.

The High Priest Questions Jesus^(A)

¹⁹ Then the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his own teaching. ²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world. I have always taught in the synagogue or in the Temple, where all Jews meet together, and I have said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why do you question me? Question those who heard what I said. These are the people who know what I said.”

²² When he said this, one of the officers standing nearby slapped Jesus on the face and demanded, “Is that any way to answer the high priest?”

²³ Jesus answered him, “If I have said anything wrong, tell me what it was.^[a] But if I have told the truth, why do you hit me?” ²⁴ Then Annas sent him, with his hands tied, to Caiaphas the high priest.