⁵⁹ Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council^[a] were looking for false testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death. ⁶⁰ But they couldn’t find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. At last two men came forward ⁶¹ and stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the sanctuary of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

⁶² At this, the high priest stood up and asked Jesus,^[b] “Don’t you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?” ⁶³ But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest told him, “I command you by the living God to tell us if you are the Messiah,^[c] the Son of God!”

⁶⁴ Jesus told him, “You have said so. Nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power’^[d] and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’”^[e]

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? Listen! You yourselves have just heard the blasphemy! ⁶⁶ What is your verdict?”

They replied, “He deserves to die!”

⁵⁵ Meanwhile, the high priests and the whole Council^[a] were looking for some testimony against Jesus in order to have him put to death, but they couldn’t find any. ⁵⁶ Although many people gave false testimony against him, their testimony didn’t agree.

⁵⁷ Then some men stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We ourselves heard him say, ‘I will destroy this sanctuary made by human^[b] hands, and in three days I will build another one not made by human^[c] hands.’” ⁵⁹ But even on this point their testimony didn’t agree.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up before them^[d] and asked Jesus, “Don’t you have any answer to what these men are testifying against you?” ⁶¹ But he kept silent and didn’t answer at all. The high priest asked him again, “Are you the Messiah,^[e] the Son of the Blessed One?”

⁶² Jesus said, “I AM, and

⁶³ Then the high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we still need witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard his blasphemy! What is your verdict?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.

⁶⁶ As soon as day came, the elders of the people, the high priests, and the scribes assembled and brought him before their Council.^{[a] 67} They said, “If you are the Messiah,^[b] tell us.”

But he told them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe me, ⁶⁸ and if I ask you a question, you won’t answer me. ⁶⁹ But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”^[c]

⁷⁰ Then they all asked, “Are you, then, the Son of God?”

He answered them, “You said it—I AM.”

⁷¹ “Why do we need any more testimony?” they asked. “We have heard it ourselves from his own mouth!”