Matthew 26:68–75

68said, “Prophesy for us, Messiah! Guess who hit you!”

Peter Denies Jesus

(Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:56–62; John 18:15–18, 25–27)

69 Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard when one of the High Priest’s servant women came to him and said, “You, too, were with Jesus of Galilee.”

70 But he denied it in front of them all. “I don’t know what you are talking about,” he answered, 71and went on out to the entrance of the courtyard. Another servant woman saw him and said to the men there, “He was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 Again Peter denied it and answered, “I swear that I don’t know that man!”

73 After a little while the men standing there came to Peter. “Of course you are one of them,” they said. “After all, the way you speak gives you away!”

74 Then Peter said, “I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know that man!”

Just then a cock crowed, 75and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the cock crows, you will say three times that you do not know me.” He went out and wept bitterly.