*Matthew 26:57-75
Jesus is taken before the high priest Caiaphas, where He is falsely accused and condemned for blasphemy, while Peter denies knowing Him three times outside the courtyard.
- Jesus Before the High Priest:
- Jesus is taken to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and elders are assembled.
- They seek false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death but find none, despite many false witnesses coming forward.
- False Accusations and Silent Response:
- Finally, two witnesses claim that Jesus said He could destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.
- The high priest demands an answer, but Jesus remains silent.
- Caiaphas confronts Jesus, asking if He is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus affirms, adding that they will see Him sitting at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.
- The high priest accuses Jesus of blasphemy and deems Him worthy of death, leading to physical abuse and mockery by others present.
- Peter’s Denial:
- Peter is sitting outside in the courtyard during Jesus’ trial.
- A servant girl recognizes him as a follower of Jesus and confronts him, but Peter denies knowing Jesus.
- Peter is recognized a second and third time by others, and each time he denies Jesus more vehemently.
- After the third denial, a rooster crows, fulfilling Jesus’ prediction that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.
- Realizing the prophecy’s fulfillment, Peter leaves and weeps bitterly.
26:57 And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
26:58 But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.
26:59 Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death; 26:60 But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At the last came two false witnesses, 26:61 And said, This fellow said, I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.
26:62 And the high priest arose, and said unto him, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? 26:63 But Jesus held his peace, And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
26:65 Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying, He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses? behold, now ye have heard his blasphemy.
26:66 What think ye? They answered and said, He is guilty of death.
26:67 Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, 26:68 Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee? 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
26:70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
26:72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
26:74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.