Chapter 153: Questioning of Jesus

1 And they disarmed Jesus and led him away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

2 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

3 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. 4 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

5 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, 6 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple. 7 But neither so did their witness agree together.

8 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?

9 But he held his peace, and answered nothing.

10 Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Warrior for man?

11 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Warrior for man raising the right hand of power, and doing the will of heaven.

12 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? 13 Ye have heard the call to arms and the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

14 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Defend yourself: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

15 The high priest then asked Jesus of his warriors, and of his doctrine.

16  Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever trained near the synagogue, and the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. 17 Why askest thou me? ask them which were trained by me how they fared, and what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I taught.

18 And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?

19 Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? If thou were but risen, I should ask that we step outside.