Matthew 26:47-75

While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came. And with him was a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he who betrayed Him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss is the Man. Seize Him.” He immediately came to Jesus and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. And Jesus said to him, “Friend, why have you come?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took Him. Immediately, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back in its place. For all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will at once give Me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?” At that same moment Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out as against a thief to take Me with swords and clubs? Daily I sat with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had assembled. But Peter followed Him from afar to the high priest’s courtyard and went in, and sat with the servants to see the end. The chief priests and the elders and the entire Sanhedrin searched for false witness against Jesus to put Him to death, but they found none. Yes, though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. At last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’ ” Then the high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has uttered blasphemy. What further need do we have for witnesses? See, now you have heard His blasphemy. What do you think?” They answered, “He is guilty unto death.” Then they spat in His face and struck Him. And others slapped Him with the palms of their hands, saying, “Prophesy to us, You Christ! Who is it that struck You?” Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” Then when he went out onto the porch, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man.” After a while those who stood by came to Peter and said, “Surely you also are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and he swore, “I do not know the Man.” Then immediately a rooster crowed. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken, “Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” Then he went out and wept bitterly.