⁵⁹ Now the chief priests and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) tried to get false witnesses to testify against Jesus, so that they might [have a reason to] put Him to death. ⁶⁰ They found none, even though many false witnesses came forward. At last two came forward, ⁶¹ and testified, “This man said, ‘^[a]I am able to ^[b]tear down the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’” ⁶² The high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Have You no answer to give? What is it that these men are testifying against You?” ⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I call on You to swear a binding oath by the living God, that you tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “You have [in fact] said it; but more than that I tell you [regardless of what you do with Me now], in the future you will see [Me revealed as] the Son of Man seated at the ^[c]right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^(A)

⁶⁵ Then the high priest tore his ^[d]robes [in mock horror] and exclaimed, “He has blasphemed [by making Himself God’s equal]! What further need have we of witnesses or evidence? See, you have now heard the blasphemy.^{(B) 66} What do you think?” They answered, “^[e]He deserves to be put to death.”

⁶⁷ Then they spat in His face and struck Him with their fists; and some slapped Him,^{(C) 68} saying, “^[f]Prophesy to us, You Christ (Messiah, Anointed); who was it that struck You?”

⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and the entire Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus [which they could use] to have Him [condemned and] executed, but they were not finding any. ⁵⁶ For many [people] were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimonies were not consistent. ⁵⁷ Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) that was made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”^{(A) 59} Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. ⁶⁰ The high priest stood up and came forward and asked Jesus, “Have You no answer to give [in response] to what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶¹ But Jesus kept silent and gave no answer at all. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the ^[a]Blessed One?” ⁶² Jesus said, “I am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated [with authority] at the right hand of Power (the Father), and coming with the clouds of heaven.”^{(B) 63} Then ^[b]tearing his robe [to express his indignation], the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?^{(C) 64} You have heard the blasphemy [that is, His claim to be the Son of God]. What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him to be [guilty and] deserving of death.^{(D) 65} And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy [by telling us who hit you]!” Then the officers took custody of Him and struck him in the face.

⁶³ Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking and ridiculing Him [and treating Him with contempt] and beating Him. ⁶⁴ They blindfolded Him and asked, “Prophesy, who is it that struck You?” ⁶⁵ And they were saying many other [evil and slanderous] things against Him, blaspheming [speaking sacrilegiously and abusively about] Him.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

⁶⁶ When day came, the Council of the elders of the people (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) assembled, both chief priests and scribes; and they led Jesus away to the council chamber, saying, ⁶⁷ “If You are the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), tell us.” But He said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe [what I say], ⁶⁸ and if I ask a question, you will not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”^{(A) 70} And they all said, “Are You the Son of God, then?” He replied, “^[a]It is just as you say.” ⁷¹ Then they asked, “What further need of testimony do we have? For we ourselves have heard it from His own mouth.”