|
Those who had seized Jesus took Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. Now the chief priests and the whole council of the Sanhedrin sought to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. But they found none, though many witnesses came forward to testify. At last tow men came forward and testified, saying, “This Fellow said, I am able to tear down the sanctuary of the temple of God and to build it up again in three days.” And the high priest stood up and said, “Have You no answer to make? What about this that these men testify against You? But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I call upon you to swear by the living God, and tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have stated the fact. Even if I tell you, you will not believe, trust in or cleave to Me. And if I question you, you will not answer Me. More than that, I tell you: You will in the future see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the sky (Ps.110:1; Dan. 7:13). And they asked Him again, “You are the Son of God, then?” And He replied to them saying, “It is just as you say, I AM.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and exclaimed, “He has uttered blasphemy! What need have we of future evidence? You have now heard His blasphemy. (Lev. 24:16; Num. 14:6). What do you think now?” They answered, “He deserves to be put to death!” Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him in the face (Isa.50:6), saying, “Prophesy to us, You Christ the Messiah! Who was it that struck You” |
