John the Baptist’s Birth Foretold

In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah; and he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.

Now it happened that while he was performing his priestly service before God in the appointed order of his division,

according to the custom of the priestly office, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense.

When the days of his priestly service were concluded, he went back home.

in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

And He ordered him to tell no one, saying, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”

saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised on the third day.”

And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

When He saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they were going, they were cleansed.

And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to put Him to death,

Jesus’ Authority Questioned

On one of the days while He was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders confronted Him,

Paying Taxes to Caesar

The scribes and the chief priests tried to lay hands on Him that very hour, and yet they feared the people; for they were aware that He had spoken this parable against them.

And the chief priests and the scribes were trying to find a way to put Him to death, since they were afraid of the people.

And he left and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he was to betray Him to them.

And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come against Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as you would against a man inciting a revolt?

Jesus’ Arrest

Now they arrested Him and led Him away, and brought Him to the house of the high priest; but Peter was following at a distance.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

When it was day, the Council of elders of the people assembled, both chief priests and scribes, and they led Him away to their council chamber, saying,

But Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds for charges in the case of this man.”

Now the chief priests and the scribes stood there, vehemently charging Him.

Pilate Seeks Jesus’ Release

Now Pilate summoned to himself the chief priests, the rulers, and the people,

and how the chief priests and our rulers handed Him over to be sentenced to death, and crucified Him.