Summary

The next morning, Jesus is viciously beaten for his unsatisfactory responses to the interrogation, and though the method of interrogation is illegal, Jesus's offense was grave so Ananus is determined to make an example of the Nazarene. He orders alone time with the guards to adjust Jesus's attitude, and after hours of being beaten, Jesus can barely stand as he faces his accusers to argue for his life. Still, his spirit is unbroken as Caiaphas's sycophants provide false testimony, waiting for the accusation that will justify crucifixion.

Finally, Jesus is accused of claiming the ability to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, soliciting Caiaphas to demand "I charge you under oath by the living God: tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God" (page 232). Though Jesus knows that Caiaphas will not believe him, he concurs, "yes, it is...