The Jewish leaders judge Jesus
53 The men took Jesus to the house of the most important priest. All the leaders of the priests met together there with the important Jews and with the teachers of God's Law.
14:53When the group of important Jews met together, they were called the Sanhedrin. They decided together about how to rule the people.
54 Peter followed Jesus into the yard of Caiaphas's house. But he did not go near Jesus. He sat down in the yard with the guards who worked in the temple. He made himself warm by the fire.
55 The leaders of the priests and all the Jewish leaders wanted to punish Jesus with death. So they tried to find some people who would say things against Jesus. But they did not find anyone who could help them. 56 Many people said things against Jesus that were not true. But they did not agree with each other in what they said.
57 Then some men stood up and they said something false against Jesus. 58 They said, ‘We heard Jesus say, “I will destroy the temple, which men have built. In three days I will build another house for God. It will not be people who build this new house.” ’ 59 Even then, these people who were speaking against Jesus did not say the same thing.
60 Then Caiaphas stood up in front of everyone. He said to Jesus, ‘You must reply now to what these men have said against you. Are the things that they are saying true?’ 61 But Jesus did not reply. He did not say anything.
So again, Caiaphas asked Jesus, ‘Are you the Messiah? Are you the Son of God?’
62 Jesus replied, ‘I am. And you will all see the Son of Man. He will be sitting in the most important place at the right side of the Most Powerful God. You will see him coming to earth. He will be riding on the clouds in the sky.’
63 Then Caiaphas tore his clothes to show that he was angry. He said, ‘We do not need anyone else to speak against Jesus. 64 You have heard the bad words that he has spoken against God. Do you think that he is guilty?’
Everyone agreed that Jesus deserved to die.
65 Then some of the men began to spit on Jesus. They covered his eyes with a cloth and they hit him many times with their fists. They said, ‘Show us that you are a prophet! Tell us who hit you!’ Then the guards took hold of Jesus and they beat him.
