Matthew 26:59-75

The leading priests and the whole Jewish council tried to find something false against Jesus so they could kill him. Many people came and told lies about him, but the council could find no real reason to kill him. Then two people came and said, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the Temple of God and build it again in three days.’ ” Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Aren’t you going to answer? Don’t you have something to say about their charges against you?” But Jesus said nothing. Again the high priest said to Jesus, “I command you by the power of the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus answered, “Those are your words. But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of God, the Powerful One, and coming on clouds in the sky.” When the high priest heard this, he tore his clothes and said, “This man has said things that are against God! We don’t need any more witnesses; you all heard him say these things against God. What do you think?” The people answered, “He should die.” Then the people there spat in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. Others slapped him. They said, “Prove to us that you are a prophet, you Christ! Tell us who hit you!” At that time, as Peter was sitting in the courtyard, a servant girl came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But Peter said to all the people there that he was never with Jesus. He said, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” When he left the courtyard and was at the gate, another girl saw him. She said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again, Peter said he was never with him, saying, “I swear I don’t know this man Jesus!” A short time later, some people standing there went to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of those who followed Jesus. The way you talk shows it.” Then Peter began to place a curse on himself and swear, “I don’t know the man.” At once, a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered what Jesus had told him: “Before the rooster crows, you will say three times that you don’t know me.” Then Peter went outside and cried painfully.