Matthew 26:57–75

The Trial in Front of the Jewish Council—Mark 14:53–65; Luke 22:63–71

⁵⁷Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the chief priest, where the experts in Moses’ Teachings and the leaders had gathered together. ⁵⁸Peter followed at a distance until he came to the chief priest’s courtyard. He went inside and sat with the guards to see how this would turn out. 

⁵⁹The chief priests and the whole council were searching for false testimony to use against Jesus in order to execute him. ⁶⁰But they did not find any, although many came forward with false testimony. At last two men came forward. ⁶¹They stated, “This man said, ‘I can tear down God’s temple and rebuild it in three days.’ ” 

⁶²The chief priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Don’t you have any answer to what these men testify against you?” 

⁶³But Jesus was silent. 

Then the chief priest said to him, “Swear an oath in front of the living God and tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?” 

⁶⁴Jesus answered him, “Yes, I am. But I alone can guarantee that from now on you will see the Son of Man in the the honored position—the one next to God the Father on the heavenly throne^b. He will be coming on the clouds of heaven.” 

⁶⁵Then the chief priest tore his robes in horror and said, “He has dishonored God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You’ve just heard him dishonor God! ⁶⁶What’s your verdict?” 

They answered, “He deserves the death penalty!” 

⁶⁷Then they spit in his face, hit him with their fists, and some of them slapped him. ⁶⁸They said, “You Christ, if you’re a prophet, tell us who hit you.” 

Peter Denies Jesus—Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:54b–62; John 18:15–18, 25–27

⁶⁹Peter was sitting in the courtyard. A female servant came to him and said, “You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean.” 

⁷⁰But Peter denied it in front of them all by saying, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” 

⁷¹As he went to the entrance, another female servant saw him. She told those who were there, “This man was with Jesus from Nazareth.” 

⁷²Again Peter denied it and swore with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” 

⁷³After a little while the men standing there approached Peter and said, “It’s obvious you’re also one of them. Your accent gives you away!” 

⁷⁴Then Peter began to curse and swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Just then a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.