Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/708

 Caiphas, the  High  Priest  of  that  year. Annas questioned  Jesus concerning His  disciples  and  His  doctrine. Jesus calmly  told  him that He  had  spoken  openly,  and  he  might  question  those  who had heard  Him. Then one  of  the  servants  who  stood  by  gave Jesus a blow,  saying:  “Answerest  thou  the  High  Priest  so?” Jesus meekly  replied:  “If  I have  spoken  ill,  give  testimony  of the  evil;  but  if  well,  why  strikest  thou  Me?”

Annas sent  Jesus  bound  to  Caiphas,  who  had  meanwhile assembled the  Great  Council  of  the  Jews. Now he  and  the  whole council would  willingly  have  found  some  pretext  for  putting  Jesus to death;  but  they  could  find  none,  although  many  false  witnesses had appeared  against  Him.

At last  there  came  two  false  witnesses  who  affirmed  that  they had heard  Jesus  saying  He  would  destroy  the  Temple,  and  after three days  build  it  up  again. But they  still  contradicting  each