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- While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people.
- Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him."
- Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
- Jesus replied, "Friend, do what you came for." Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
- With that, one of Jesus' companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
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- "Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.
- Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?
- But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?"
- At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me.
- But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled." Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
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- Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
- But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
- The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.
- But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward
- and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.' "
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- Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
- But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God."
- "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."
- Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.
- What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.
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- Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him
- and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?"
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