The crowd that had arrested Jesus took Him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The scribes and elders had gathered at Caiaphas’s house and were waiting for Jesus to be delivered. 58 Peter followed Jesus (though at some distance so as not to be seen).
He slipped into Caiaphas’s house and attached himself to a group of
servants. And he sat watching, waiting to see how things would unfold. 59 The high priest and his council of advisors first produced false evidence against Jesus—false evidence meant to justify some charge and Jesus’ execution. 60 But even though many men were willing to lie, the council couldn’t come up with the evidence it wanted. Finally, two men stood up. Two Men: 61 Look, He said, “I can destroy God’s temple and rebuild it in three days.” What more evidence do you need? 62 Then Caiaphas the high priest stood up and addressed Jesus. Caiaphas: Aren’t You going to respond to these charges? What exactly are these two men accusing You of? 63 Jesus remained silent. Caiaphas (to Jesus): Under a sacred oath before the living God, tell us plainly: are You the Anointed One, the Son of God? Jesus: 64 So you seem to be saying. I will say this: beginning now, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God’s power and glory and coming on heavenly clouds. 65 The high priest tore his robes and screeched. Caiaphas: Blasphemy! We don’t need any more witnesses—we’ve all just witnessed this most grievous blasphemy, right here and now. 66 So, gentlemen, what’s your verdict? Gentlemen: He deserves to die. 67 Then they spat in His face and hit Him. Some of them smacked Him, slapped Him across the cheeks, 68 and jeered. Some of the Men: Well, Anointed One, prophesy for us, if You can—who hit You? And who is about to hit You next? 69 As all this was going on in Caiaphas’s chamber, Peter was sitting in the courtyard with some servants. One of the servant girls came up to him. Servant Girl: You were with Jesus the Galilean, weren’t you? 70 And just as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied it before everyone. Peter: Not me! I don’t know what you’re talking about. 71 He went out to stand by the gate. And as he walked past, another servant girl recognized him. Another Servant Girl (speaking to those standing around): That man over there—he was here with Jesus the Nazarene! 72 Again, just as Jesus had predicted, Peter denied it, swearing an oath. Peter: I don’t know Him! 73 Peter then went to chat with a few of the servants. A little while later, some other servants approached him: Other Servants: Look, we know that you must be one of Jesus’ followers. You speak like you are from the same area as His followers. You’ve got that tell-tale Galilean accent. 74 Cursing and swearing, Peter denied Him again. Peter: I do not know Him! As the exclamation left his mouth, a cock crowed. 75 And Peter remembered. He remembered that Jesus had looked at him with something like pity and said, “This very night, before the cock crows in the morning, you will deny Me three times.” And Peter went outside, sat down on the ground, and wept. |
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