55. The leading priests and all the Jewish council tried to find something that Jesus had done wrong so they could kill him. But the council could find no proof against him.
56. Many people came and told false things about him. But all said different things—none of them agreed.
57. Then some men stood up and lied about Jesus. They said,
58. “We heard this man say, ‘I will destroy this Temple that men made. And three days later, I will build another Temple—a Temple not made by men.’”
59. But even the things these men said did not agree.
60. Then the high priest stood before them and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer the charges these men bring against you?”
61. But Jesus said nothing. He did not answer.The high priest asked Jesus another question: “Are you the Christ, the Son of the blessed God?”
62. Jesus answered, “I am. And in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of the Powerful One. And you will see the Son of Man coming on clouds in the sky.”
63. When the high priest heard this, he was very angry. He tore his clothes and said, “We don’t need any more witnesses!
64. You all heard him say these things against God. What do you think?”They all said that Jesus was guilty and should be killed.
65. Some of the people there spit at Jesus. They covered his eyes and hit him with their fists. They said, “Prove that you are a prophet!” Then the guards led Jesus away and beat him.
66. Peter was still in the courtyard when a servant girl of the high priest came there.
67. She saw Peter warming himself at the fire. She looked closely at him.Then the girl said, “You were with Jesus, that man from Nazareth.”
68. But Peter said that he was never with Jesus. He said, “I don’t know or understand what you are talking about.” Then Peter left and went toward the entrance of the courtyard.
69. The servant girl saw Peter there. Again she said to the people who were standing there, “This man is one of those who followed Jesus.”