Matthew 26:57-68

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

Jesus before the High Priest

⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. ⁵⁸ But Peter was following him at a distance, as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with the guards in order to see how this would end.^{(A) 59} Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they might put him to death, ⁶⁰ but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward^{(B) 61} and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ”^{(C) 62} The high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I put you under oath before the living God, tell us if you are the Messiah,^[a] the Son of God.”^{(D) 64} Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you,

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? You have now heard his blasphemy.^{(F) 66} What do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death.”^{(G) 67} Then they spat in his face and struck him, and some slapped him,^{(H) 68} saying, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah!^[b] Who is it that struck you?”