Jesus Is Arrested

43Just as Jesus was speaking, Judas appeared. He was one of the Twelve. A crowd was with him. They were carrying swords and clubs. The chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders had sent them.

44Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, had arranged a signal with them. “The one I kiss is the man,” he said. “Arrest him and have the guards lead him away.”

45So Judas went to Jesus at once. He said, “Rabbi!” And he kissed him.

46The men grabbed Jesus and arrested him.

47Then one of those standing nearby pulled his sword out. He struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.

48“Am I leading a band of armed men against you?” asked Jesus. “Do you have to come out with swords and clubs to capture me? 49Every day I was with you. I taught in the temple courtyard, and you didn’t arrest me. But the Scriptures must come true.”

50Then everyone left him and ran away.

51A young man was following Jesus. The man was wearing nothing but a piece of linen cloth. When the crowd grabbed him, 52he ran away naked. He left his clothing behind.

Jesus Is Taken to the Sanhedrin

53The crowd took Jesus to the high priest. All of the chief priests, the elders, and the teachers of the law came together.

54Not too far away, Peter followed Jesus. He went right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards. He warmed himself at the fire.

55The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for something to use against Jesus. They wanted to put him to death. But they did not find any proof. 56Many witnesses lied about him. But their stories did not agree.

57Then some stood up. They gave false witness about him. 58“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made by human hands. In three days I will build another temple, not made by human hands.’ ” 59But what they said did not agree.

60Then the high priest stood up in front of them. He asked Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? What are these charges these men are bringing against you?”

61But Jesus remained silent. He gave no answer.

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ? Are you the Son of the Blessed One?”

62“I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One. You will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.”

63The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64“You have heard him say a very evil thing against God. What do you think?”

They all found him guilty and said he must die.

65Then some began to spit at him. They blindfolded him. They hit him with their fists. They said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.

Peter Says He Does Not Know Jesus

66Peter was below in the courtyard. One of the high priest’s female servants came by. 67When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with Jesus, that Nazarene,” she said.

68But Peter said he had not been with him. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said. He went out to the entrance to the courtyard.

69The servant saw him there. She said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”

70Again he said he was not.

After a little while, those standing nearby said to Peter, “You must be one of them. You are from Galilee.”

71He began to call down curses on himself. He took an oath and said to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”

72Right away the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had spoken to him. “The rooster will crow twice,” he had said. “Before it does, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Peter broke down and sobbed.