They grabbed Him at this point and took Him away to the high priest’s home. Peter followed—at a distance. 55 He watched from the shadows as those who had seized Jesus made a fire in the center of the courtyard and sat down around it. Then Peter slipped in quietly and sat with them. 56 But a young servant girl saw his face in the firelight. She stared for a while and then spoke. Servant Girl: This fellow here was with Jesus. I recognize him. Peter (denying it): 57 Woman, I don’t even know the man. 58 A little later, a man also recognized him. Man: I recognize you. You’re one of Jesus’ followers. Peter: Man, you’re wrong. I’m not. 59 An hour or so passed, and then another person pointed to Peter. Another Person: This fellow is obviously Galilean. He must be a member of Jesus’ group. Peter: 60 Look, I have no idea what you’re talking about. And he hadn’t even finished the sentence when a nearby rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned toward Peter, and their eyes met. Peter remembered Jesus’ words about his triple denial before the rooster would crow, 62 so he left the courtyard and wept bitter tears. 63 At this point, the men who were holding Jesus began to mock Him and beat Him. 64 They put a blindfold on Him. Men Holding Jesus: Hey, Prophet! Use Your prophetic powers to tell us who just whacked You! 65 They kept on with this sort of insulting, degrading treatment for quite some time. 66 When dawn had given way to full day, the Sanhedrin council assembled, consisting of religious leaders of the Sadducean party, along with the chief priests and religious scholars. They took Him to their headquarters for interrogation. Sanhedrin: 67 If you are the Anointed One whom God promised us, tell us plainly. Jesus: If I give you an answer, you won’t believe it. 68 And if I ask you a question, you won’t answer it. 69 But this I will say to you: from now on, the Son of Man will take His seat at the right hand of the power of God. Sanhedrin: 70 So You are the Son of God, then? Jesus: It’s as you say. Sanhedrin: 71 What more evidence do we need? We’ve heard it with our own ears from His own lips. |
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