Jesus Before the Council
Mark 14:53-65
Mark.14.53 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- Και: CONJ
- απηγαγον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- αρχιερεα: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- συνερχονται: VERB,pres,mp,ind,3,pl
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- πρεσβυτεροι: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- γραμματεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 26:57 (verbal): Direct synoptic parallel—Jesus is taken to the high priest and the chief priests, elders and scribes are assembled; language and sequence closely match Mark's account.
- Luke 22:54 (verbal): Luke records the seizure and being led to the high priest's house (the initial transfer to Jewish authorities), paralleling Mark's depiction of bringing Jesus before the high priest and assembled leaders.
- John 18:12-13 (thematic): John describes Jesus being arrested and led first to Annas (and later Caiaphas), paralleling Mark's theme of Jesus' transfer to the Jewish high priest and the involvement of the religious leadership.
- Acts 4:5 (verbal): The early church account records Peter and John being brought before the 'rulers, elders and scribes'—the same tripartite description of Jewish authorities, offering a verbal/thematic parallel in how leaders assemble to judge religious challengers.
- Matthew 27:1 (structural): Matthew notes that 'all the chief priests and the elders' assembled in the morning and took action regarding Jesus, reflecting the Sanhedrin's collective role in the judicial proceedings depicted in Mark 14:53.
Alternative generated candidates
- They led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes gathered together.
- And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
Mark.14.54 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- Πετρος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- απο: PREP
- μακροθεν: ADV
- ηκολουθησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- εως: CONJ
- εσω: ADV
- εις: PREP
- την: ART,acc,sg,f
- αυλην: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- αρχιερεως: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- συγκαθημενος: VERB,perf,pass,part,nom,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- υπηρετων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- θερμαινομενος: VERB,pres,mid,part,nom,sg,m
- προς: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- φως: NOUN,acc,sg,n
Parallels
- Matthew 26:58 (verbal): Matthew uses virtually the same wording: Peter follows Jesus from a distance into the high priest's palace, paralleling Mark's scene and phrasing.
- Luke 22:54-55 (verbal): Luke likewise reports Peter following at a distance, entering the courtyard and warming himself by the fire, closely matching Mark's account of setting and action.
- John 18:15-18 (structural): John describes the movement into the high priest's courtyard and Peter's presence at the fire (with the added detail that another disciple gained access first), providing a parallel setting and sequence to Mark 14:54.
- Matthew 26:69-75 (thematic): Matthew's fuller pericope records Peter's warming himself and then his subsequent three denials, thematically linking the courtyard scene in Mark to the denial episode that follows.
Alternative generated candidates
- Peter followed at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he sat with the attendants and warmed himself by the fire.
- Peter followed at a distance, even into the courtyard of the high priest; and he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
Mark.14.55 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- αρχιερεις: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- και: CONJ
- ολον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- συνεδριον: NOUN,nom,sg,n
- εζητουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- κατα: PREP
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- Ιησου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- μαρτυριαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εις: PREP
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- θανατωσαι: VERB,aor,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ουχ: PART,neg
- ηυρισκον·: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 26:59 (verbal): Nearly identical account: the chief priests and the whole council seek testimony against Jesus to put him to death; wording and situation closely parallel Mark's report.
- Luke 22:66-71 (structural): Jesus is brought before the council; the scene serves the same structural role—authorities interrogating Jesus and seeking grounds for condemnation, though Luke emphasizes the council's questioning of Jesus rather than procuring false witnesses.
- Acts 6:11-14 (thematic): False witnesses are produced against Stephen to bring him before the council and provoke his condemnation and death—an early Christian echo of hostile councils using testimony to justify execution.
- Psalm 35:11 (allusion): The psalmist complains of false/malicous witnesses rising up against him; this Old Testament motif of lying witnesses provides a thematic background for Gospel depictions of hostile testimony against the righteous.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, and they found none.
- Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, but they found none.
Mark.14.56 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- πολλοι: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- γαρ: PART
- εψευδομαρτυρουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- κατ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- ισαι: ADJ,nom,pl,f
- αι: ART,nom,pl,f
- μαρτυριαι: NOUN,nom,pl,f
- ουκ: PART,neg
- ησαν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 26:59-61 (verbal): Chief priests and council seek false testimony; many false witnesses come forward but their testimony does not agree—close verbal and structural parallel to Mark 14:56.
- Luke 22:66-71 (structural): Jesus is brought before the council and questioned; efforts to secure testimony or conviction fail, reflecting the same courtroom/frame and failed-witness motif in Mark.
- Acts 6:11-13 (thematic): False witnesses are produced against Stephen in a legal/religious trial—an early Christian echo of the pattern of wrongful accusations against a righteous sufferer.
- Psalm 35:11 (allusion): OT motif of malicious/false witnesses rising up against the innocent ('they testified falsely'/'they asked of me things I know not'), providing background for Gospel depictions of false testimony.
Alternative generated candidates
- For many bore false witness against him; and their testimony did not agree.
- For many bore false witness against him, yet their testimony did not agree.
Mark.14.57 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- ανασταντες: VERB,part,aor,act,nom,pl,masc
- εψευδομαρτυρουν: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,pl
- κατ᾽αυτου: PREP+PRON,gen,sg,m
- λεγοντες: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,pl,masc
Parallels
- Matthew 26:59-61 (verbal): Direct Synoptic parallel: the chief priests seek false testimony against Jesus; many false witnesses come forward but their statements do not agree—same scene as Mark 14:57.
- Luke 23:1-2 (thematic): Leaders bring Jesus before Pilate and begin to accuse him—parallels the motif of authorities arranging accusations and false testimony against Jesus.
- Acts 6:11-13 (thematic): False witnesses are produced against Stephen who is accused of blasphemy—echoes the pattern of malicious testimony before a council/authority.
- Psalm 35:11 (verbal): OT lament: 'malicious witnesses rise up' (LXX/Hebrew) — an older motif echoed in the Gospel depiction of false witnesses against the righteous.
- 1 Kings 21:10-13 (allusion): Jezebel arranges false witnesses to accuse Naboth so he may be condemned—an earlier Israelite example of manufactured testimony that the Gospel narrative evokes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,
- Some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,
Mark.14.58 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- οτι: CONJ
- Ημεις: PRON,nom,pl,1
- ηκουσαμεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,1,pl
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- λεγοντος: PTCP,pres,act,gen,sg,m
- οτι: CONJ
- Εγω: PRON,nom,sg,1
- καταλυσω: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- ναον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- τουτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- χειροποιητον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- δια: PREP
- τριων: NUM,gen,pl
- ημερων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- αλλον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- αχειροποιητον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- οικοδομησω·: VERB,fut,act,ind,1,sg
Parallels
- Matthew 26:61 (verbal): Direct parallel report of the same accusation at Jesus' trial that he said he would destroy the temple and raise it in three days — nearly identical wording.
- John 2:19-21 (quotation): Jesus' saying about destroying the temple and raising it in three days is recorded here and John explicitly interprets 'the temple' to mean his body.
- Mark 13:1-2 (thematic): Jesus' broader prediction concerning the fate of the (Herodian) temple — thematically connected to claims about the temple and its destiny.
- Matthew 12:40 (allusion): Jesus cites Jonah's three days in the fish as a typological 'sign' of his own three days — thematically linked to the 'three days' motif in the temple saying.
- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (thematic): Paul's summary of the gospel emphasizes Christ's death and resurrection 'on the third day,' echoing the theological significance of Jesus' claim to be raised in three days.
Alternative generated candidates
- "We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another not made with hands.’"
- “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and in three days I will build another not made with hands.’”
Mark.14.59 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ουδε: CONJ,neg
- ουτως: ADV
- ιση: ADJ,nom,sg,f
- ην: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- η: ART,nom,sg,f
- μαρτυρια: NOUN,nom,sg,f
- αυτων: PRON,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Mark 14:57-58 (structural): Immediate context in the same trial: witnesses give conflicting testimony about Jesus' alleged claim to destroy and rebuild the temple—sets up v.59's statement that their testimony did not agree.
- Matthew 26:60 (verbal): Parallel account of the Sanhedrin trial: many false witnesses came but their testimony failed to agree (Matthew explicitly records the inability of witnesses to produce consistent testimony).
- Deuteronomy 19:15 (thematic): Old Testament legal principle that conviction requires two or three agreeing witnesses; provides the legal background for why inconsistent testimony was significant in trials like Jesus'.
- Acts 6:13 (thematic): Another New Testament example of false witnesses brought against a faithful man (Stephen); thematically parallels the motif of manufactured, unreliable testimony used to accuse and persecute a righteous sufferer.
Alternative generated candidates
- Yet even so their testimony did not agree.
- And neither did even thus their testimony agree.
Mark.14.60 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- αναστας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αρχιερευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- εις: PREP
- μεσον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- επηρωτησεν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- Ιησουν: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- λεγων·Ουκ: VERB,pres,act,part,nom,sg,m
- αποκρινη: VERB,pres,mid,ind,2,sg
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- τι: PRON,int,nom,sg,n
- ουτοι: PRO,nom,pl,m
- σου: PRON,gen,sg,2
- καταμαρτυρουσιν: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 26:62-63 (verbal): The high priest rises and questions Jesus; Matthew's wording and the function of the priest's interrogation closely parallel Mark's trial scene.
- Luke 22:67-71 (structural): The council's interrogation of Jesus before the Sanhedrin, including direct questions about his identity, parallels the judicial setting and questioning in Mark.
- John 18:19-24 (structural): Annas (the former high priest) questions Jesus about his teaching and disciples—another instance of the Jewish leadership interrogating Jesus that parallels Mark's scene.
- Isaiah 53:7 (allusion): The servant who is 'oppressed and afflicted, yet opened not his mouth' provides a prophetic/thematic backdrop for Jesus' silence and the passive stance before his accusers in Mark.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the high priest stood up in the midst and questioned Jesus, "Have you no answer? What is it these men testify against you?"
- Then the high priest stood up in the midst and questioned Jesus, saying, “Have you no answer? What is it that these men testify against you?”
Mark.14.61 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- εσιωπα: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- και: CONJ
- ουκ: PART,neg
- απεκρινατο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,sg
- ουδεν: PRON,acc,sg,n
- παλιν: ADV
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- αρχιερευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- επηρωτα: VERB,impf,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγει: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- αυτω·Συ: PRON,dat,sg,m + PRON,nom,sg,2
- ει: VERB,pres,act,ind,2,sg
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- χριστος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- υιος: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ευλογητου: ADJ,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 26:63-64 (verbal): Parallel trial scene—Jesus remains largely silent and is asked directly whether he is the Christ/Son of God; Matthew records essentially the same question and Jesus' affirmation about the Son of Man.
- Luke 22:67-70 (verbal): Luke's account preserves the council's questioning about Jesus' identity (are you the Christ?/Son of God?) and Jesus' teaching-style reply about the Son of Man, closely paralleling Mark's sequence and wording.
- Isaiah 53:7 (thematic): The prophetic motif of the suffering servant's silence—'he opened not his mouth'—is a thematic parallel explaining Jesus' refusal to answer charges at his trial.
- Daniel 7:13-14 (allusion): Jesus' identification as the Son (and later his reference to the Son of Man seated at God's right hand) echoes Daniel's vision of 'one like a son of man' who receives everlasting authority—background for the high priest's question and Jesus' claim.
- John 18:36-37 (thematic): In another trial context Jesus discusses his identity and kingdom when questioned by authorities (Pilate), offering a thematic parallel about who Jesus is and why he claims authority—complementary to the Markan interrogation.
Alternative generated candidates
- But he was silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest questioned him and said to him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
- But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest questioned him and said to him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”
Mark.14.62 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- Ιησους: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- ειπεν·Εγω: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,sg
- ειμι: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,sg
- και: CONJ
- οψεσθε: VERB,fut,mid,ind,2,pl
- τον: ART,acc,sg,m
- υιον: NOUN,acc,sg,m
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ανθρωπου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
- εκ: PREP
- δεξιων: ADJ,gen,pl,m
- καθημενον: VERB,pres,mid,ptc,acc,sg,m
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- δυναμεως: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- και: CONJ
- ερχομενον: VERB,pres,mid,part,acc,sg,m
- μετα: PREP
- των: ART,gen,pl,m
- νεφελων: NOUN,gen,pl,f
- του: ART,gen,sg,n
- ουρανου: NOUN,gen,sg,masc
Parallels
- Matthew 26:64 (verbal): Very close verbal parallel: Jesus says they will see 'the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven,' matching Mark's wording and claim.
- Luke 22:69-70 (verbal): Luke records a similar affirmation that the Son of Man will be seen seated at the right hand of God's power, with the crowd linking this to Jesus' identity.
- Daniel 7:13-14 (allusion): Mark's phrase 'coming with the clouds of heaven' alludes to Daniel's vision of 'one like a son of man coming with the clouds,' the background for the messianic Son of Man who receives authority and dominion.
- Psalm 110:1 (quotation): The imagery of sitting at the right hand of power echoes Ps 110:1 ('Sit at my right hand'), a key Old Testament text Jesus and the New Testament use to assert exalted status and authority.
- Acts 7:56 (thematic): Stephen's vision ('I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God') reflects early Christian appropriation of the Son of Man/right-hand motifs present in Jesus' declaration in Mark 14:62.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Jesus said, "I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven."
- And Jesus said, “I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Mark.14.63 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ο: ART,nom,sg,m
- δε: CONJ
- αρχιερευς: NOUN,nom,sg,m
- διαρρηξας: VERB,aor,act,part,nom,sg,m
- τους: ART,acc,pl,m
- χιτωνας: NOUN,acc,pl,m
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- λεγει·Τι: VERB,pres,act,ind,3,sg
- ετι: ADV
- χρειαν: NOUN,acc,sg,f
- εχομεν: VERB,pres,act,ind,1,pl
- μαρτυρων: NOUN,gen,pl,m
Parallels
- Matthew 26:65 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: the high priest tears his clothes and asks, 'What further need have we of witnesses?' in response to Jesus' claim—same charge of blasphemy and dramatic gesture.
- Luke 22:66-71 (structural): Parallel trial before the council: witnesses are examined and the council pronounces against Jesus; parallels the Sanhedrin procedure and verdict though Luke omits the tearing-of-clothes detail.
- Leviticus 24:16 (thematic): OT law prescribing death for blasphemy provides the legal/theological background for charging Jesus and the high priest's dramatic reaction to what was understood as blasphemous speech.
- John 11:47-53 (thematic): Council deliberation led by the chief priests (including Caiaphas) concluding that Jesus must die to protect the nation—parallels the Sanhedrin's determination to produce witnesses and secure condemnation.
- 1 Kings 21:27 (thematic): An Old Testament example of tearing garments as a public expression of shock, grief, or acknowledgment of prophetic judgment—helps explain the cultural meaning of the high priest's gesture in Mark.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the high priest tore his garments and said, "What further need have we of witnesses?
- Then the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further need have we of witnesses?
Mark.14.64 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ηκουσατε: VERB,aor,act,ind,2,pl
- της: ART,gen,sg,f
- βλασφημιας·τι: NOUN,gen,sg,f
- υμιν: PRON,dat,pl,2
- φαινεται: VERB,pres,mid/pass,ind,3,sg
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- δε: CONJ
- παντες: ADJ,nom,pl,m
- κατεκριναν: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ενοχον: ADJ,acc,sg,m
- ειναι: VERB,pres,act,inf
- θανατου: NOUN,gen,sg,m
Parallels
- Matthew 26:65-66 (verbal): The high priest's tearing of garments and the council's cry that Jesus has blasphemed, followed by the assembly condemning him to death, parallels Mark's account of the charge of blasphemy and verdict of death.
- Luke 22:70-71 (verbal): Luke records nearly identical courtroom language—'You have heard the blasphemy; what do you think?'—and the unanimous verdict that he is guilty of death, closely paralleling Mark's wording and sequence.
- John 19:7 (thematic): The Jewish leaders insist Jesus must die because he claimed to be the Son of God—an explicit identification of the blasphemy charge as the basis for seeking death, thematically parallel to Mark's report.
- Leviticus 24:16 (structural): The Torah law prescribing death for blasphemy provides the legal and religious background for the Sanhedrin's charge in Mark, an implicit Old Testament basis for the verdict.
- Mark 2:7 (thematic): Earlier in Mark, scribes accuse Jesus of blasphemy for forgiving sins—showing a recurring motif in Mark of opponents equating Jesus' divine claims or actions with blasphemy that warrants condemnation.
Alternative generated candidates
- You have heard the blasphemy; what is your judgment?" And they all condemned him as deserving death.
- You have heard the blasphemy; what is your decision?” And they all condemned him as deserving death.
Mark.14.65 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- και: CONJ
- ηρξαντο: VERB,aor,mid,ind,3,pl
- τινες: PRON,nom,pl,m
- εμπτυειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτω: PRON,dat,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- περικαλυπτειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτου: PRON,gen,sg,m
- το: ART,acc,sg,n
- προσωπον: NOUN,acc,sg,n
- και: CONJ
- κολαφιζειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- και: CONJ
- λεγειν: VERB,pres,act,inf
- αυτω·Προφητευσον: PRON,dat,sg,m+VERB,aor,act,imp,2,sg
- και: CONJ
- οι: ART,nom,pl,m
- υπηρεται: NOUN,nom,pl,m
- ραπισμασιν: NOUN,dat,pl,n
- αυτον: PRON,acc,sg,m
- ελαβον: VERB,aor,act,ind,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 26:67-68 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel: they spat on him, blindfolded him, struck him, and taunted him to 'Prophesy.'
- Luke 22:63-65 (verbal): Parallel account: Jesus is beaten, blindfolded, mocked with 'Prophesy' and struck by his interrogators.
- John 18:22 (thematic): An attendant strikes Jesus during his interrogation (physical assault by officers/servants), echoing Mark's report of blows from the servants.
- Isaiah 50:6 (allusion): The servant-suffering image — giving the cheek to those who strike and not hiding from spitting — is echoed in the Gospel’s description of Jesus' mistreatment.
- Psalm 22:7-8 (allusion): Mockery and contempt of the righteous sufferer ('all who see me mock me') parallels the taunts and scorn directed at Jesus in Mark 14:65.
Alternative generated candidates
- Some began to spit on him and to cover his face and to strike him with their fists, saying, "Prophesy!" And the officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
- And some began to spit on him, and to blindfold him, and to strike him; and others slapped him, saying, “Prophesy!” And the servants struck him with their hands.
And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled. But Peter followed him at a distance into the courtyard of the high priest; and he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. Now the chief priests and the whole council sought testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.
For many bore false witness against him, yet their testimonies did not agree.
Some stood up and bore false witness against him, saying,
'We heard him say, "I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another, not made with hands."'
Yet even so their testimony did not agree. And the high priest stood up in the midst and questioned Jesus, 'Have you no answer? What is it that these men testify against you?' But he kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest questioned him and said to him, 'Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?' And Jesus said, 'I am; and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.'
Then the high priest tore his garments and said, 'What further need have we of witnesses?'
'You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?' And they all condemned him as deserving death.
Some began to spit on him, and to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying, 'Prophesy!' — and the officers struck him with the palms of their hands.