Matthew 26:54-71

54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

55At that time Jesus said to the crowd, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as you would an outlaw? Every day I sat teaching in the temple courts,1 and you did not arrest Me. 56But this has all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples deserted Him and fled.

57Those who had arrested Jesus led Him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. 58But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin2 were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62So the high priest stood up and asked Him, “Have You no answer? What are these men testifying against You?”

63But Jesus remained silent.

Then the high priest said to Him, “I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

64“You have said it yourself,” Jesus answered. “But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power3 and coming on the clouds of heaven.”4

65At this, the high priest tore his clothes and declared, “He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?”

“He deserves to die,” they answered.

67Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him 68and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

69Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.

70But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

71When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”