Mark 14:53-65

Caiaphas Questions Jesus

54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any.

56 Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

57 Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him:

58 "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.' "

59 Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"

61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

62 "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

63 The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked.

64 "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?"

They all condemned him as worthy of death.

65 Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!"

And the guards took him and beat him.

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This is the Word of the Lord ... It is meant to change the way that we think, and the way that we live.

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Commentary by Bob Pardue

Christ is Interrogated by Caisphas and Beaten

These are the days of Passion Week. This is the week leading up to the crucifixion of Christ.

Power Vs. Belief

Even though the high priest should have recognized Jesus as the Christ, he and the other religious leaders were more concerned with holding on to their power here on earth than having rewards in heaven.

What Did Jesus Say?

Jesus did not actually say ''I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'' In reality, he said, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days" (John 2:19). This is only one example of the false testimony building up against him.

The "Real" Temple

The temple Jesus was speaking of in John 2:19 was not the brick and mortar church; it was His body which was destroyed on the cross and was raised again on Easter Sunday.

Even with the treatment Christ received and the disbelief of the high priest, He still chose to die in order that we might be saved. Isn't God remarkable?

Love in Christ

- Bob

Mark 14:17-26 - The Last Supper