Mark 14:53-65, Jesus Before the Council

⁵³ And they led Jesus to the high priest [Caiaphas, the son-in-law of Annas]. And all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes came together. [Formal sessions of the Sanhedrin were not held at the high priest’s house nor were trials to be conducted at night. This illegal group was already gathered expecting Jesus’ arrival.] ⁵⁴ And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. [How did Peter, a fisherman from Galilee, get into the courtyard? Did John help him in? The two main characters are now in place: Jesus and Peter. Now we will see how they fare.] ⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. ⁵⁶ For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree. [Two witnesses in agreement were required for the death penalty.] ⁵⁷ And some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet even about this their testimony did not agree. ⁶⁰ And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” ⁶¹ But he remained silent and made no answer. [Jesus’s silence fulfills Isaiah 53:7 and demonstrates Jesus’ refusal to stop the events that lead to his death.] Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” [This is most likely asked in a sarcastic tone.] ⁶² And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand [Psalm 110:1] of Power [a reverential expression of God so as not to say his name], and coming with the clouds of heaven.” ⁶³ And the high priest tore his garments [illustrating the seriousness of the crime because otherwise he was forbidden] and said, “What further witnesses do we need? ⁶⁴ You have heard his blasphemy [which carries the death penalty by stoning]. What is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death. ⁶⁵ And some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” [The Messiah was expected to have this gift] And the guards received him with blows.