Study Desk

Peter^(cv) followed Him at a distance, right into the high priest's courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police,^[m](cw) warming himself by the fire.^[n]

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(cx) were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,^(cy) but they could find none.

For many were giving false testimony^(cz) against Him, but the testimonies did not agree.

Some stood up and were giving false testimony against Him, stating,

"We heard Him say, ‘I will demolish this sanctuary made by human hands,^(da) and in three days I will build another not made by hands.'"

Yet their testimony did not agree^(db) even on this.

Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, "Don't You have an answer to what these men are testifying against You?"

But He kept silent and did not answer anything.^(dc) Again the high priest questioned Him, "Are You the Messiah,^(dd) the Son^(de) of the Blessed^(df) One?"

"I am," ^(dg) said Jesus, "and all of you^[o] will see the Son of Man ^(dh) seated at the right hand ^(di) of the Power and coming with the clouds ^(dj) of heaven ." ^(dk)[p]

Then the high priest^(dl) tore his robes^(dm) and said, "Why do we still need witnesses?^(dn)

You have heard the blasphemy!^(do) What is your decision?"^[q] And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.^(dp)

Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, "Prophesy!"^(dq) The temple police^(dr) also took Him and slapped Him.

While^(ds) Peter^(dt) was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest's servants came.

When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with that Nazarene,^(du) Jesus."

But he denied it: "I don't know or understand what you're talking about!" Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.^[r]

When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, "This man is one of them!"

But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, "You certainly are one of them, since you're also a Galilean!"^[s](dv)

Then he started to curse^[t] and to swear with an oath,^(dw) "I don't know this man you're talking about!"

Immediately a rooster crowed a second time,^(dx) and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." When he thought about it, he began to weep.^[u]