Part 255 (2/2)

And straightway, while he yet spoke, came Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a mult.i.tude with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. Now he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, ”Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he; take him, and lead him away safely.”

And when he was come, straightway he came to him, and saith, ”Rabbi”; and kissed him.

Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant's name was Malchus. Jesus therefore said unto Peter, ”Put up the sword into the sheath: the cup which the Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?”

Then Jesus said. ”Suffer ye thus far.” And he touched his ear, and healed him.

And Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and elders, which were come against him, ”Are ye come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs? When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched not forth your hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

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VII

THE TRIAL

_How the Lord Jesus Was Falsely Charged with Crime_.

_The Trial Before Annas._

So the soldiers and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him, and led him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year.

Annas therefore asked Jesus about his disciples, and his teaching.

Jesus answered him, ”I have spoken openly to the world; I ever taught in synagogues, and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and in secret spoke I nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them that have heard me, what I spoke unto them: behold, these know the things which I said.”

And when he had said this, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, ”Answerest thou the high priest so?”

Jesus answered him, ”If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?”

Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

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_The Trial Before Caiaphas, the High Priest_.

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there came together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.

And Peter had followed him afar off, even within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found it not. For many bore false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together. And there stood up certain men, and bore false witness against him, saying, ”We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'”

And not even so did their witness agree together. And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, ”Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?”

But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and saith unto him, ”Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

And Jesus said, ”I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

And the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, ”What further need have we of witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye?”

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