Matthew 26:54-71

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

55At that time Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as if I were a criminal, to capture me? Every day I used to sit, teaching in the temple, and you didn’t arrest me.

56But all this has happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and ran away.

57Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had convened.

58Peter was following him at a distance right to the high priest’s courtyard. He went in and was sitting with the servants to see the outcome.

59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false testimony against Jesus so that they could put him to death,

60but they could not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. Finally, two who came forward

61stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62The high priest stood up and said to him, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?”

63But Jesus kept silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64“You have said it,” Jesus told him. “But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

65Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! Why do we still need witnesses? See, now you’ve heard the blasphemy.

66What is your decision?” They answered, “He deserves death!”

67Then they spat in his face and beat him; others slapped him

68and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah! Who was it that hit you?”

69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl approached him and said, “You were with Jesus the Galilean too.”

70But he denied it in front of everyone: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

71When he had gone out to the gateway, another woman saw him and told those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene!”