Oct. 22, 2024

Jesus Before the Council

Mar 14:53  They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law came together. 

Mar 14:54  Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. 

Mar 14:55  The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. 

Mar 14:56  Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. 

Mar 14:57  Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: 

Mar 14:58  "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with human hands and in three days will build another, not made with hands.'" 

Mar 14:59  Yet even then their testimony did not agree. 

Mar 14:60  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?" 

Mar 14:61  But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?" 

Mar 14:62  "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." 

Mar 14:63  The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. 

Mar 14:64  "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death. 

Mar 14:65  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. 

Peter Denies Jesus

Mar 14:66  While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 

Mar 14:67  When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. 

Mar 14:68  But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway. 

Mar 14:69  When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." 

Mar 14:70  Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." 

Mar 14:71  He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." 

Mar 14:72  Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.