Matthew 26:57-68 - Jesus Before The Sanhedrin

⁵⁷ And they that had apprehended Jesus, led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the Scribes and the senators were assembled. ⁵⁸ but Peter followed him at a distance to the high priest's palace, and going in, he sat with the officers to see the event.

⁵⁹ Now the chief priests, the senators and the whole council, endeavour'd to get false evidence against Jesus, that he might be condemn'd to die. ⁶⁰ but they found none: and though many false witnesses came, it was not found sufficient. at last there came two false witnesses, who charg'd him with saying, ⁶¹ "I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days."

⁶² and the high priest arose, and said to him, have you nothing in answer to that charge they bring against you? ⁶³ but Jesus made no reply. and the high priest said to him, I conjure thee by the living God, to tell us, are you the Christ the son of God?

⁶⁴ Jesus reply'd, I am: moreover I declare to you, within a while ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of God, and coming on the clouds of heaven.

⁶⁵ then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, he has spoke blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? you yourselves have now heard his blasphemy. ⁶⁶ what is your opinion? they reply'd, he deserves to die. ⁶⁷ then they spit in his face, some beat him on the head, others slapt him on the cheeks, ⁶⁸ crying now Christ divine, who 't is that struck you?

⁵³ Jesus they led away to the high priest's, where all the chief priests, the rulers and Scribes, were assembled. ⁵⁴ Peter followed at a distance, even into the palace of the high priest: where he sat down among the servants to warm himself at the fire.

⁵⁵ Now the chief priests, and the whole council endeavour'd to get evidence against Jesus, to condemn him to die; but they found none. ⁵⁶ there were indeed several, who depos'd what was false against him: besides, what they deposed was insufficient. ⁵⁷ at last there appear'd some, who gave in false evidence against him, ⁵⁸ saying, we heard him say, "I will pull down this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands." ⁵⁹ but neither did this evidence appear sufficient.

⁶⁰ then the high priest rising up in the midst of the assembly, ask'd Jesus, saying, have you nothing to plead for your self? what say you to the evidence they give against you? ⁶¹ but Jesus remain'd silent, and gave no answer. then the high priest asked him again, and said to him, art thou the Christ, the son of the most High?

⁶² and Jesus answered, I AM. and ye shall see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

⁶³ then the high priest rent his robes, and said to the council, what occasion is there for any more witnesses? ⁶⁴ you have heard the blasphemy, what is your opinion? and they all pronounc'd, that he deserved to die. ⁶⁵ then some began to spit on him, others cover'd his face and struck him on the head, crying out, divine, who it is. and the domestics slapt him on the cheeks.

⁵⁴ Then they seized him and carried him away to the high priest's house, and Peter followed at a distance. ⁵⁵ now as they had made a fire in the middle of the hall, and people were sitting all round it, Peter too sat down among them. ⁵⁶ but one of the servants seeing him by the fire, star'd him in the face, and said, this man was with him too.

⁵⁷ but he renounc'd Jesus, saying, woman, I don't know him.

⁵⁸ a little while after another seeing him, said, you are even one of them. but Peter said to him, man, I am not.

⁵⁹ about an hour after another confidently affirm'd, saying, this fellow was certainly with him; for he too is a Galilean.

⁶⁰ Peter reply'd, man, I don't know what you would say, and immediately while he was yet speaking, the cock crew. ⁶¹ whereupon the Lord turned about, and look'd upon Peter. then Peter remembred what the Lord had said to him, "before the cock-crowing you shall deny me thrice." ⁶² and Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

⁶³ In the mean time, they who held Jesus, treated him with insults and buffoonry. ⁶⁴ they made him blind-fold, they slapt him on the face, and cry'd out, divine who it was that smote thee. ⁶⁵ and besides all this, they loaded him with the most impious invectives.

⁶⁶ As soon as it was day, the rulers of the people, the chief priests and the Scribes being assembled, they order'd him to be brought before their council, ⁶⁷ and said to him, if you are the Christ, say so. but he answer'd, if I should tell you so, you will not believe it. ⁶⁸ and if I should argue it with you, you will neither answer me, nor let me go. ⁶⁹ but in a little time the son of man shall be seated on the powerful right hand of God.

⁷⁰ then said they all, art thou then the son of God? you are in the right, answer'd he, for I am so.

⁷¹ upon this they cry'd, what occasion have we for further evidence? for we ourselves have heard enough from his own mouth.