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Then the people who had arrested Jesus led him to the home of Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of religious law and the elders had gathered.
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Meanwhile, Peter followed him at a distance and came to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and sat with the guards and waited to see how it would all end.
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Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council 1 were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death.
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But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, they could not use anyone’s testimony. Finally, two men came forward
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who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”
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Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Well, aren’t you going to answer these charges? What do you have to say for yourself?”
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But Jesus remained silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I demand in the name of the living God - tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
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Jesus replied, “You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand 2 and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 3
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Then the high priest tore his clothing to show his horror and said, “Blasphemy! Why do we need other witnesses? You have all heard his blasphemy.
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What is your verdict?” “Guilty!” they shouted. “He deserves to die!”
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Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
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jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”