Mark 14:53-65

53The men took Jesus to the chief priest. All the chief priests, the leaders, and the experts in Moses’ Teachings had gathered together.

54Peter followed him at a distance and went into the chief priest’s courtyard. He sat with the guards and warmed himself facing the glow of a fire.

55The chief priests and the whole Jewish council were searching for some testimony against Jesus in order to execute him. But they couldn’t find any.

56Many gave false testimony against him, but their statements did not agree.

57Then some men stood up and gave false testimony against him. They said,

58“We heard him say, ‘I’ll tear down this temple made by humans, and in three days I’ll build another temple, one not made by human hands.’ ”

59But their testimony did not agree even on this point.

60So the chief priest stood up in the center and asked Jesus, “Don’t you have any answer to what these men testify against you?”

61But he was silent. The chief priest asked him again, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62Jesus answered, “Yes, I am, and you will see the Son of Man in the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne. He will be coming with the clouds of heaven.”

63The chief priest tore his clothes in horror and said, “Why do we need any more witnesses?

64You’ve heard him dishonor God! What’s your verdict?” All of them condemned him with the death sentence.

65Some of them began to spit on him. They covered his face and hit him with their fists. They said to him, “Prophesy!” Even the guards took him and slapped him.