57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led Mm away to Caiaphas the High Priest, where the Scribes and the elders were assembled.
58 But Peter followed him afar off
unto the High Priest's palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
59 Now the Chief Priests, and el- ders, and all the council, sought false
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witness against Jesus, to put him to j 64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou haet death • I said : nevertheless I say unto you,
60 But found none : yea, though I Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man many talse witnesses came, rjet found sitting on the right hand of power, they'none. At the last came two fidse , and coming in the clouds of hea- ven.
witnesses,
Gl And said, This/<?ZZoif said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
62 And the High Priest arose, and said unto him. Answerest thou noth- ing? what is it which these witness asrainst thee ?
63 But Jesus held his peace. And
65 Then the High Priest rent his clothes, saying. He hath spoken blas- phemy ; what further need have v/e of witnesses ? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
66 What think ye^? They answered and said. He is guilty of death.
67 Then did they spit in his face, the High Priest answered and said j and buffeted him ; and others smote unto him, I adjure thee by the living ! him with the palms of their hands, God, that thou tell us whether thou i Go Saying, Prophesy unto us, Ihou be the Christ, the Son of God. | Christ, Who is he that smote thee ?
We read in these verses how our Lord Jesus Christ was brought before Caiaphas the high priest, and solemnly pronounced guilty. It was fitting that it should be so. The great day of atonement was come. The wondrous type of the scape-goat was about to be completely ful- filled. It was only suitable that the Jewish high priest should do his part, and declare sin to be upon the head of the victim, before he was led forth to be crucified. May we ponder these things and understand them. There was a deep meaning in every step of our Lord's passion.
Let us observe in these verses, that the chief priests were the principal agents in hringing ahout our Lord's death. It was not so much the Jewish people, we must remem- ber, who pushed forward this wicked deed, as Caiaphas and his companions, the chief priests.
This is an instructive fiict, and deserv^es notice. It is a clear proof that high ecclesiastical ofiice exempts no man from gross errors in doctrine, and tremendous sins in practice. The Jewish priests could trace up their pedigree to Aaron, and were his lineal successors. Their