Event 28 – Jesus’ Informal Trial

Matt 26:57, 59-68, Mark 14:53, 55-65, John 18:24

• The high priest’s council chamber, Jerusalem; Friday, 2-3AM

^J Then Annas sent him, still bound to ^M Caiaphas, the high priest, where ^K all the chief priests, ^M teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. But they did ^K not find Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’” Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? ^M I charge you under oath by the living God; Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.”

“Yes, it is as you say, ^K I am,” said Jesus. “And ^M I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. ^K What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.

^L The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. ^K Then some began to ^M spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”