Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, ‘Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?’ But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?’ Jesus said, ‘I am; and “you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power”, and “coming with the clouds of heaven.” ’ Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, ‘Why do we still need witnesses? You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?’ All of them condemned him as deserving death. Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, ‘Prophesy!’ The guards also took him over and beat him. (Mark 14: 60-65)

Blasphemy is a charge that - until recently - seemed consigned to another time and place. A combination of tolerance and indifference had softened Western culture's sense of the blasphemous.

The Greek - blasphemos - is slander and abuse aimed at anyone. In what way did the Chief Priest perceive that the response of Jesus was insulting to God?

Standing before the Chief Priest was a poor Galilean peasant. He was either too cowardly or too stupid to defend himself against contradictory charges. But he did claim to be the Son of God.

At the very least this was contrary to the Chief Priest's own vision of God. As he participated in the ceremonies of the Temple the Chief Priest was not worshiping the father of a peasant.

We are often insulted when our preconceptions are threatened. Rather than reconsider our preconceptions we are more likely to attack the perceived threat.