Matthew 26:55-56-63 The Message (MSG)

6-9. When Jesus was at Bethany, a guest of Simon the Leper, a woman came up to him as he was eating dinner and anointed him with a bottle of very expensive perfume. When the disciples saw what was happening, they were furious. “That’s criminal! This could have been sold for a lot and the money handed out to the poor.”

55-56. Then Jesus addressed the mob: “What is this—coming out after me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal? Day after day I have been sitting in the Temple teaching, and you never so much as lifted a hand against me. You’ve done it this way to confirm and fulfill the prophetic writings.”Then all the disciples cut and ran.

57-58. The gang that had seized Jesus led him before Caiaphas the Chief Priest, where the religion scholars and leaders had assembled. Peter followed at a safe distance until they got to the Chief Priest’s courtyard. Then he slipped in and mingled with the servants, watching to see how things would turn out.

59-60. The high priests, conspiring with the Jewish Council, tried to cook up charges against Jesus in order to sentence him to death. But even though many stepped up, making up one false accusation after another, nothing was believable.

60-61. Finally two men came forward with this: “He said, ‘I can tear down this Temple of God and after three days rebuild it.’”

62. The Chief Priest stood up and said, “What do you have to say to the accusation?”

63. Jesus kept silent.Then the Chief Priest said, “I command you by the authority of the living God to say if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

Matthew 26