Catholic Public Domain Version

Matthew 26:53-68 Catholic Public Domain Version (CPDV)

53. Or do you think that I cannot ask my Father, so that he would give me, even now, more than twelve legions of Angels?

54. How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must be so?"

55. In that same hour, Jesus said to the crowds: "You went out, as if to a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me. Yet I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not take hold of me.

56. But all this has happened so that the Scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled." Then all the disciples fled, abandoning him.

57. But those who were holding Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had joined together.

58. Then Peter followed him from a distance, as far as the court of the high priest. And going inside, he sat down with the servants, so that he might see the end.

59. Then the leaders of the priests and the entire council sought false testimony against Jesus, so that they might deliver him to death.

60. And they did not find any, even though many false witnesses had come forward. Then, at the very end, two false witnesses came forward,

61. and they said, "This man said: 'I am able to destroy the temple of God, and, after three days, to rebuild it.' "

62. And the high priest, rising up, said to him, "Have you nothing to respond to what these ones testify against you?"

63. But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to him, "I bind you by an oath to the living God to tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."

64. Jesus said to him: "You have said it. Yet truly I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of the power of God, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65. Then the high priest tore his garments, saying: "He has blasphemed. Why do we still need witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy.

66. How does it seem to you?" So they responded by saying, "He is guilty unto death."

67. Then they spit in his face, and they struck him with fists. And others struck his face with the palms of their hands,

68. saying: "Prophesy for us, O Christ. Who is the one that struck you?"