⁵⁹ The religious leaders and the other leaders and all the court were looking for false things to say against Jesus. They wanted some reason to kill Him. ⁶⁰ They found none, but many came and told false things about Him. At last two came to the front. ⁶¹ They said, “This Man said, ‘I am able to destroy the house of God and build it up again in three days.’”

⁶² Then the head religious leader stood up. He said to Jesus, “Have You nothing to say? What about the things these men are saying against You?” ⁶³ Jesus said nothing. Then the head religious leader said to Him, “In the name of the living God, I tell You to say the truth. Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴ Jesus said to him, “What you said is true. I say to you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated on the right hand of the All-powerful God. You will see Him coming on the clouds of the sky.”

⁶⁵ Then the head religious leader tore his clothes apart. He said, “He has spoken as if He were God! Do we need other people to speak against Him yet? You have heard Him speak as if He were God! ⁶⁶ What do you think?” They said, “He is guilty of death!”

⁶⁷ Then they spit on His face. They hit Him with their hands. Others beat Him. ⁶⁸ They said, “Tell us, Christ, You Who can tell what is going to happen, who hit You?”