Jesus stood before Annas.  He looked exhausted and haggard; his garments were covered with mud, his hands manacled, his head bowed down, and he spoke not a word.  Annas was a thin ill-humoured-looking old man, with a scraggy beard.  His pride and arrogance were great; and as he seated himself he smiled ironically, pretending that he knew nothing at all, and that he was perfectly astonished at finding that the prisoner, whom he had just been informed was to be brought before him, was no other than Jesus of Nazareth.  ‘Is it possible,’ said he, ’is it possible that thou art Jesus of Nazareth?  Where are thy disciples, thy numerous followers?  Where is thy kingdom?  I fear affairs have not turned out as thou didst expect.  The authorities, I presume, discovered that it was quite time to put a stop to thy conduct, disrespectful as it was towards God and his priests, and to such violations of the Sabbath.  What disciples hast thou now?  Where are they all gone?  Thou are silent!  Speak out, seducer!  Speak out, thou inciter of rebellion!  Didst thou not eat the Paschal lamb in an unlawful manner, at an improper time, and in an improper place?  Dost thou not desire to introduce new doctrines?  Who gave thee the right of preaching?  Where didst thou study?  Speak, what are the tenets of thy religion?’

Jesus then raised his weary head, looked at Annas, and said, ’I have spoken openly to the world; I have always taught in the synagogue, and in the Temple, whither all the Jews resort; and in secret I have spoken nothing.  Why askest thou me?  Ask them who have heard what I have spoken unto them; behold, they know what thing I have said.’

At this answer of Jesus the countenance of Annas flushed with fury and indignation.  A base menial who was standing near perceived this, and he immediately struck our Lord on the face with his iron gauntlet, exclaiming at the same moment, ‘Answerest thou the High Priest so?’ Jesus was so nearly prostrated by the violence of the blow, that when the guards likewise reviled and struck him, he fell quite down, and blood trickled from his face on to the floor.  Laughter, insults, and bitter words resounded through the hall.  The archers dragged him roughly up again, and he mildly answered, ’If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why strikest thou me?’

Annas became still more enraged when he saw the calm demeanour of Jesus, and, turning to the witnesses, he desired them to bring forward their accusations.  They all began to speak at once:—­’He has called himself king; he says that God is his Father; that the Pharisees are an adulterous generation.  He causes insurrection among the people; he cures the sick by the help of the devil on the Sabbath-day.  The inhabitants of Ophel assembled round him a short time ago, and addressed him by the titles of Saviour and Prophet.  He lets himself be called the Son of God; he says that he is sent by God; he predicts the destruction of Jerusalem.  He does not fast; he eats with sinners, with pagans, and with publicans, and associates with women of evil repute.  A short time ago he said to a man who gave him some water to drink at the gates of Ophel, “that he would give unto him the water of eternal life, after drinking which he would thirst no more.”  He seduces the people by words of double meaning,’ etc., etc.