Mark 14:53-15:15

Christian Standard Bible

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁵³ They^(A) led Jesus away to the high priest,^(B) and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes^(C) assembled.^{(D) 54} Peter^(E) followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants,^[a](F) warming himself by the fire.

⁵⁵ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(G) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death,^(H) but they could not find any. ⁵⁶ For many were giving false testimony^(I) against him, and the testimonies did not agree. ⁵⁷ Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, stating, ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands,^(J) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet their testimony did not agree^(K) even on this.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” ⁶¹ But he kept silent and did not answer.^(L) Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah,^(M) the Son^(N) of the Blessed^(O) One?”

⁶² “I am,”^(P) said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man^(Q) seated at the right hand^(R) of Power and coming with the clouds^(S) of heaven.”^[b](T)

⁶³ Then the high priest^(U) tore his robes^(V) and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?^{(W) 64} You have heard the blasphemy.^(X) What is your decision?” They all condemned him as deserving death.^(Y)

⁶⁵ Then some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to beat him, saying, “Prophesy!” ^(Z) The temple servants^(AA) also took him and slapped him.

Peter Denies His Lord

⁶⁶ While^(AB) Peter^(AC) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”^(AD)

⁶⁸ But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway,^[c] and a rooster crowed.^[d]

⁶⁹ When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”

⁷⁰ But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.”^[e](AE)

⁷¹ Then he started to curse and swear,^(AF) “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”

⁷² Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,^(AG) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Jesus Faces Pilate

15 As^(AH) soon as it was morning, having held a meeting with the elders,^(AI) scribes,^(AJ) and the whole Sanhedrin, the chief priests^(AK) tied Jesus up, led him away, and handed him over to Pilate.^(AL)

² So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king^(AM) of the Jews?”^(AN)

He answered him, “You say so.”

³ And the chief priests accused him of many things. ⁴ Pilate^(AO) questioned him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many things they are accusing you of!” ⁵ But Jesus still did not answer, and so Pilate was amazed.

Jesus or Barabbas

⁶ At^(AP) the festival^(AQ) Pilate^(AR) used to release for the people a prisoner whom they requested. ⁷ There was one named Barabbas, who was in prison with rebels who had committed murder^(AS) during the rebellion.^{(AT) 8} The crowd came up and began to ask Pilate to do for them as was his custom. ⁹ Pilate answered them, “Do you want me to release the king^(AU) of the Jews^(AV) for you?” ¹⁰ For he knew it was because of envy^(AW) that the chief priests had handed him over. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd so that he would release Barabbas to them instead. ¹² Pilate asked them again, “Then what do you want me to do with the one you call the king of the Jews?”

¹³ Again they shouted, “Crucify him!”

¹⁴ Pilate said to them, “Why? What has he done wrong?”

But they shouted all the more, “Crucify him!”

¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them; and after having Jesus flogged, he handed him over to be crucified.