⁵⁴ Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest.^(A) There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.^(B)

⁵⁵ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin^(C) were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. ⁵⁶ Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

⁵⁷ Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another,^(D) not made with hands.’” ⁵⁹ Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

⁶⁰ Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” ⁶¹ But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.^(E)

Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”^(F)

⁶² “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^(G)

⁶³ The high priest tore his clothes.^(H) “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. ⁶⁴ “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?”

They all condemned him as worthy of death.^{(I) 65} Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took him and beat him.^(J)

Peter Disowns Jesus^(K)

⁶⁶ While Peter was below in the courtyard,^(L) one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. ⁶⁷ When she saw Peter warming himself,^(M) she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,”^(N) she said.

⁶⁸ But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,”^(O) he said, and went out into the entryway.^[a]

⁶⁹ When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it.^(P)

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”^(Q)

⁷¹ He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”^(R)

⁷² Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.^[b] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice^[c] you will disown me three times.”^(S) And he broke down and wept.