Night hearing and decisive accusation
They led Jesus away to the high priest. There came together with him all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes.
Peter had followed him afar off, until he came into the court of the high priest. He was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.
Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and found none.
For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony didn’t agree with each other.
Some stood up, and gave false testimony against him, saying,
"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.’"
Even so their testimony did not agree.
The high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?"
But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
Jesus said, "I AM. You will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of the sky."
The high priest tore his clothes, and said, "What further need have we of witnesses?
You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" They all condemned him to be worthy of death.
Some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to beat him with fists, and to tell him, "Prophesy!" The officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
