Matthew 26:58-68

"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 elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; (60) But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, (61) And said, This fellow 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 nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? (63) But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God. (64) Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (65) Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we 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, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, (68) Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?"

The Holy Ghost, as if to stamp an everlasting reproach upon Caiaphas, hath pointed him out as awfully engaged in the office of High Priest, the year of Christ's crucifixion. Jesus was led away to Annas, then to Caiaphas. And Caiaphas was he that gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people. John 18:14. Right or wrong, this wretch determined the death of Christ. And the renting his cloaths in a seemingly holy indignation; was only covering over the malignity of his heart, by the horror he wished to express of blasphemy. But let not the Reader overlook the prophecies of this great transaction. Now was that scripture fulfilled, which Jesus spake by the spirit of prophecy, a thousand years before. The assembly of the wicked have inclosed me. Psalms 22:16. The Lord Christ answering to the adjuration of the High Priest is most blessed, and especially under the character of the Son of man!