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them who have heard what I have spoken unto them, behold they know what things I have said. And when he had said these things, one of the servants standing by gave Jesus a blow, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why strikest thou me?

And the servants and officers stood there, and they had made a fire of coals in the midst of the hall, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves; and Peter stood with them and warmed himself. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

And he went out into the porch, and the cock crew. And another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. And again he denied with an oath, I do not know this man.

And the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death, and they found none; for many were bearing false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together. And last of all there came two false witnesses; and they said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and after three days to rebuild it. And there arose certain, saying, We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.* But their witness did not agree.

And the high priest rose up and said to him, Answerest thou nothing to the things which these witness against thee? But Jesus held his peace. And

*What our Lord really had said was, "Destroy ye this temple (meaning his body), and in three days I will raise it up" (see Section xvii.). What the Sanhedrim required was proof of a -threat to destroy the temple. Compare Acts vi. 13.

the high priest said to him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us if thou be the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus saith to him, Thou hast said it. Nevertheless I say to you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest rent his garment, saying, He hath blasphemed; what further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard the blasphemy; what think ye? And they answered and said, He is guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face and buffet him, and the servants smote him with the palms of their hands, saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ; who is he that smote thee? And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

And about the space of an hour after another of those that stood by Peter confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him, for he is a Galilean. And they that stood by said, Surely thou art one of them, for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. And one of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, said, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Then began Peter to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man of whom ye speak. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. And the Lord turned and looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.

SECT. CXXVI. JESUS IS FORMALLY CONDEMNED BY THE SANHEDRIM, AND LED TO PONTIUS PILATE THE GOVERNOR.

Morning of the sixth day of the week, the 15th of Nisan, between 4 and 6 a.m.

Caiaphas.

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people, and the chief priests and scribes, came together; and they brought Jesus into their The palace of council, saying, If thou be the Christ, tell us. And he saith to them, If I shall tell you, ye will not believe me; and if I shall also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. But hereafter the Son of man shall be sitting on the right hand of the power of God. Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said, Ye say that I am. And they said, What need we any further testimony? for we ourselves have heard it from his own mouth.

And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate; and it was early.

SECT. CXXVII. JESUS BEFORE PONTIUS PILATE. Morning of the sixth day of the week, the 15th of Nisan, between 6 and 9 a.m.

And Jesus stood before the governor.

But the chief priests and the elders went not into the judgment-hall, lest they should be de- Pilate's judgfiled, but that they might eat the pasch.

ment-hall,

Pilate, therefore, went out unto them; and said, What accusation bring ye against this man? They answered and said to him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee. Pilate, therefore, said to them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews said to him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death. That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled which he spake, signifying what death he should die.

And they began to accuse him, saying, We have found this man perverting our nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Cæsar, and saying that he is Christ the king.

Pilate, therefore, went into the hall again, and called Jesus,* and said to him, Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me? Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee up to me; what hast thou done? Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence. Pilate therefore said to him, Art thou a king, then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. For this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. Pilate saith to him,

What is truth?

And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews; and saith to them, I find no fault in him. And the chief priests accused him in many things. And Pilate again asked him, saying, Answerest thou nothing? Behold in how many things they accuse thee. But Jesus still answered nothing; so that Pilate wondered. But they were more earnest, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place. And when Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked if the man were a Galilean; and when he understood that he was of Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in those days.

"The judgments of the Romans were always public [see Sect. cxxix.], but the inquiries and examinations might be private. In this case Pilate appears to have wished to obtain an account from Jesus apart from the clamours of the chief priests and mob." -Alford.

SECT. CXXVIII. JESUS BEFORE HEROD.

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he was desirous of a long time to see him, Jerusalem. because he had heard many things of Herod's him, and he hoped to see some sign residence. wrought by him. And he questioned him in many words; but Jesus answered him nothing. And the chief priests and the scribes standing by vehemently accused him. And Herod with his army set him at nought, and putting on him a white garment, mocked him, and sent him back to Pilate. And Herod and Pilate were made friends that same day; for before there was enmity between them.

SECT. CXXIX. BARABBAS PREFERRED TO JESUS.

Before Pilate's

And when Pilate was set down on the judgmentseat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man; judgmentfor I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

seat.

And he called together the chief priests, and the magistrates, and the people, and said to them, Ye have brought this man unto me as one that perverteth the people; and behold I, having examined him before you, find no cause in him touching those things whereof ye accuse him. No, nor yet Herod; for I sent you to him, and behold nothing worthy of death is done to him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.

Now, at the passover the governor was wont to release unto the people a prisoner, whom they would. And they had then a notable prisoner named Barabbas, who lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, and he had committed murder in the insurrection.

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