Mark 14:53-65

Evangelical Heritage Version

Jesus’ First Trial in the Sanhedrin

⁵³ They led Jesus away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders, and the experts in the law gathered together. ⁵⁴ Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. He was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire.

⁵⁵ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, but they did not find any. ⁵⁶ Many testified falsely against him, but their testimonies did not agree. ⁵⁷ Some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet even on this point, their testimony did not agree.

⁶⁰ The high priest stepped forward^[a] and questioned Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is this they are testifying against you?”

⁶¹ But Jesus was silent and did not answer anything.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

⁶² “I am,” Jesus said. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”^[b]

⁶³ The high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses? ⁶⁴ You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?”

They all condemned him as being worthy of death. ⁶⁵ Then some began to spit on him. They covered his face and struck him with their fists, saying, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him.