rnor.
Some definite point must be clearly worked up.

Then Jesus was brought in. His hands were bound, His dress was soiled
and torn. His countenance very sad. The crowd had already had proof
of His courage. He stood there quietly. Terror He no longer felt,
sadness alone lay in His eyes. They turned over the scrolls and spoke
together in whispers. It was made known that they would be glad to
hear anyone who could bring any evidence against Him. But no one
offered. The priests looked at each other in bewilderment. Those who
struck Him and insulted Him must surely know why they did it!

At length a deformed man came forward. He was certainly only a poor
camel-dealer, but he knew something. The story of the whale! The
Galilean said that, just as the whale cast up Jonah after three days,
so would He come forth from His grave three days after His death. The
man had also said that He would destroy Solomon's Temple, which had
taken forty-seven years to build, and rebuild it in three days. Other
witnesses could be found to testify to these things.

Some considered, however, that these stories were empty exaggerations,
and nothing more.

"They are blasphemy," exclaimed Caiaphas. "Everything He says has a
hidden meaning. What He meant was that three days after His death He
would rise again, in order to destroy the Kingdom of the Jews and
establish a new Kingdom." Then he turned to Jesus: "Did you say that?"

Jesus was silent.

"He does not deny it; He did say it. The wrath of Jehovah which
presses heavily on Israel has been evoked by this blasphemer and false
prophet. And the guilty creature does not deny it." Then Caiaphas
turned to the people who were gathering in increasing numbers in the
fore-court: "Let him who knows anything further against Him come
forward and speak."

Then several voices exclaimed: "He is a blasphemer, He is a false
prophet. He has brought on us the curse of Jehovah!"

"Do you hear?" said the High Priest. "That is the voice of the people!
Yet in order to satisfy the nicest of consciences we will permit Him to
speak once again that He may defend Himself. Jesus of Nazareth! many
know that you have said that you are the Christ, sent by Heaven.
Answer clearly and without ambiguity. I ask you, Are you Christ, the
Son of God?"

"You say so," replied Jesus.

Again, and in a louder voice, Caiaphas asked: "By all you deem sacred,
speak now on oath. Are you the Son of God?"