Matthew 26:57-68

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

57 Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. ¹

58 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin ^[a] were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.

60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward

61 and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”

63 But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power ^[b] and coming on the clouds of heaven.” ^[c]

65 At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.

66 What do you think?” “He deserves to die,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him

68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

Cross References

• 1. (Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:66–71; John 18:19–24)

Footnotes

• [a] Or the whole Council
• [b] Or the right hand of the Mighty One
• [c] See Psalms 110:1 and Daniel 7:13.