Matthew 26:57-68 - Jesus Before The Sanhedrin

⁵⁷ Those who captured Jesus took him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and those in authority also gathered there. ⁵⁸ But Peter kept his distance. He followed him to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the servants, to see the outcome.

⁵⁹ The chief priests and all the Sanhedrin were looking for false witness against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. ⁶⁰ They failed, even though a number of false witnesses came. ⁶¹ Later two witnesses came. They said: This man said, 'I am able to destroy the Temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.'

⁶² The high priest stood up and said to him: Have you no answer? What is it these say against you? ⁶³ Jesus said nothing. The high priest said to him: I put you on oath, by the living God, that you will tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.

⁶⁴ Jesus said to him: You said it yourself. And I say to you, after this you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of heaven.

⁶⁵ Then the high priest ripped his robes apart and said: He has said evil against God! Why do we need more witnesses? You have heard his words of blasphemy! ⁶⁶ What is your opinion? The crowd answered: Put him to death! ⁶⁷ They spat in his face and hit him, saying: ⁶⁸ Prophesy to us, you Christ; tell us who hit you!

⁵³ They led Jesus away to the high priest. The chief priests, elders and scribes came together with him. ⁵⁴ Peter followed him at a distance. He followed into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers staying warm by the fire.

⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and the whole council looked for witness against Jesus to put him to death. They found none. ⁵⁶ Many gave false witness against him. But their witness was not in agreement. ⁵⁷ One person falsely witnessed against him by saying: ⁵⁸ We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands. ⁵⁹ Even so their witness did not agree.

⁶⁰ The high priest stood in the middle of them, and said to Jesus: Do you not answer? What is it these say against you? ⁶¹ But he kept quiet and said nothing. Again the high priest questioned him: Are you the Christ, the son of the Holy One?

⁶² Jesus said: I am and you will see the Son of man seated at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

⁶³ Violently parting his robes, the high priest said: What need do we have for more witnesses? ⁶⁴ We have heard his words against God. What is your opinion? They all said he should be put to death. ⁶⁵ Some spit on him and covering his face they gave him blows. Guess who hit you, they said. The leaders took him and beat him with their hands.

⁵⁴ They seized him and led him away. They took him to the high priest's house. Peter followed from a distance. ⁵⁵ They kindled a fire in the midst of the court. They sat down together. Peter sat in the midst of them. ⁵⁶ A servant girl saw him sitting by the light of the fire. She looked steadfastly upon him and said: This man was also with him.

⁵⁷ He denied it saying: Woman, I do not know him!

⁵⁸ After a little while another saw him, and said: You are one of them. Peter replied: Man I am not!

⁵⁹ Another hour passed. Someone else said: It is true this man was with him for he is a Galilean.

⁶⁰ Peter responded: I do not know what you are talking about! Immediately, while he spoke he heard the cockcrow. ⁶¹ The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him: Before the cockcrow this day you will deny me three times. ⁶² He left there and wept bitterly.

⁶³ The men that held Jesus mocked him and beat him. ⁶⁴ They blindfolded him, and asked him, saying: Prophesy: who is it that struck you? ⁶⁵ They reviled him and spoke many things against him.

⁶⁶ The next day the assembly of the elders of the people was gathered together. They included chief priests and scribes. They led him away to their council, saying: ⁶⁷ If you are the Christ, tell us. But he said to them: If I tell you, you will not believe: ⁶⁸ and if I ask you, you will not answer. ⁶⁹ Soon the Son of man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.

⁷⁰ They all asked: Are you the Son of God? He said to them: You say that I am.

⁷¹ They responded: What further need do we have for witnesses? We have heard this from his mouth.