Mark 14:53–72

Jesus before the Council

⁵³They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes were assembled. ⁵⁴Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest, and he was sitting with the guards, warming himself at the fire.^{* 55}Now the chief priests and the whole council were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. ⁵⁶For many gave false testimony against him, and their testimony did not agree. ⁵⁷Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, ⁵⁸“We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another, not made with hands.’ ”^{* 59}But even on this point their testimony did not agree. ⁶⁰Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it that they testify against you?” ⁶¹But he was silent and did not answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah,^t the Son of the Blessed One?”^{* 62}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.’ ”^*

⁶³Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses?^{* 64}You have heard his blasphemy! What is your decision?” All of them condemned him as deserving death.^{* 65}Some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to strike him, saying to him, “Prophesy!” The guards also took him and beat him.^*

Peter Denies Jesus

⁶⁶While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the female servants of the high priest came by.^{* 67}When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”^{* 68}But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt.^u Then the cock crowed.^{v* 69}And the female servant, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” ⁷⁰But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean, and you talk like one.”^{w* 71}But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” ⁷²At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.^*