against
this evidence?" And after a pause, seeing that Jesus still spoke not,
he said, "Hast thou nothing to say in reply?" But Jesus spoke not.

Then said the third witness, addressing himself to Jesus, "Thou hast,
for I was present, taken upon thyself to forgive sins, which belongs to
God alone. Thou hast, therefore, blasphemed God."

Then again spoke the first witness, "Thou hast called God thy Father,
and hast dared to declare that thou art one with the Father. Thou hast
therefore made thyself equal to God."

The second witness added, "Thou hast exalted thyself above our father
Abraham. Thou didst say, 'Before Abraham was, I am.'"

Then spoke the fourth witness, who said, "Thou hast said, 'I can
destroy the temple of God, and in three days build it up again.'"

The fifth witness, who had not hitherto spoken, stood forward and said,
"I have heard thee say, 'I will destroy this temple which is made with
hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.'"
This concluded the testimony of the witnesses.

Then Caiaphas, turning to Jesus, spoke to him with indignation: "So
thou hast claimed to possess a superhuman divine power? These are
serious accusations, and they are legally proved; answer if thou
canst." Jesus remaining silent, Caiaphas resumed, "Thou thinkest that
by silence thou canst save thyself. Thou darest not to admit before
the fathers and judges of the people what thou hast taught before the
people. Or dost thou dare?" Then rising to his utmost height, and
stretching his hand on high, Caiaphas continued, "Hear, then, I, the
high priest, adjure thee by the living God. Say--art thou the Messiah,
the Son of the Most High?" and as he uttered the sacred name Caiaphas
crossed his arms and dropped his head on his breast.

For a moment there was silence, then Jesus answered and said, "Thou
hast said it, and so I am. Nevertheless, I say unto you, hereafter ye
shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of God in power and
coming in the clouds of heaven."

As Jesus spoke these words, the members of the council started in
horror, and Caiaphas rending his robe, exclaimed with a loud voice, "He
has blasphemed God! What need have we of any further witnesses? You
yourselves have heard the blasphemy. What think ye?"

And all the members of the council cried together, "He is worthy of
death."

Then said Caiaphas, "He is thus unanimously declared worthy of death.
But not I, not