The council had already decided that Jesus would have to die, but it was hard to find a reason for killing him. They had to prove that Jesus had said or done something for which he could be put to death. They found a great many people who came and told lies about Jesus, but no two of them told the same story.
At last the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, stood up and said to Jesus:
"You hear all the things that are being said about you. Aren't you going to defend yourself?"
Jesus did not say a word.
The high priest spoke again:
"In the name of the living God I ask you: Are you the Christ—the Messiah—the Son of God?"
Jesus answered:
"You have said it."
That was all the council wanted to hear. Caiaphas tore his own clothes in anger, and shouted:
"Why do we need any more witnesses? You have heard him say it with his own mouth. He says he's God! What do you think about it?"