Matthew 26:57-68

International Children’s Bible

Jesus Before the Leaders

⁵⁷ Those men who arrested Jesus led him to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. The teachers of the law and the Jewish elders were gathered there. ⁵⁸ Peter followed Jesus but did not go near him. He followed Jesus to the courtyard of the high priest’s house. He sat down with the guards to see what would happen to Jesus.

⁵⁹ The leading priests and the Jewish council tried to find something false against Jesus so that they could kill him. ⁶⁰ Many people came and told lies about him. But the council could find no real reason to kill Jesus. Then two people came and said, ⁶¹ “This man said, ‘I can destroy the Temple of God and build it again in three days.’”

⁶² Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? Don’t you have something to say about their charges against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus said nothing.

Again the high priest said to Jesus, “You must swear to this. I command you by the power of the living God to tell us the truth. Tell us, are you the Christ, the Son of God?”

⁶⁴ Jesus answered, “Yes, I am. But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God, the Powerful One. And you will see him coming in clouds in the sky.”

⁶⁵ When the high priest heard this, he was very angry. He tore his clothes and said, “This man has said things that are against God! We don’t need any more witnesses. You all heard him say these things against God. ⁶⁶ What do you think?”

The people answered, “He is guilty, and he must die.”

⁶⁷ Then the people there spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. Others slapped Jesus. ⁶⁸ They said, “Prove to us that you are a prophet, you Christ! Tell us who hit you!”