The Story (Part 4)
While He was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with sword and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. His betrayer had given them a signal. “The One I kiss,” he said, “He’s the One; arrest Him and take Him away under guard.” So when he came, he went right up o Him and said, “Rabbi” –and kissed Him. Then they took hold of Him and arrested Him. And one of those who stood by drew his sword, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his ear.
But Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with sword and clubs, as though I were a criminal, to capture Me? Every day I was among you, teaching in the temple complex, and you didn’t arrest Me. But the Scripture must be fulfilled.” Then they all deserted Him and ran away.
Now a certain young man, having a linen cloth wrapped around his naked body; was following Him. They caught hold of him, but he left the linen cloth behind and ran away naked.
They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders and the scribes convened. Peter followed Him a distance right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the temple police, warming himself by the fire.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they could find none. For many were giving fale testimony against Him, but the testimonies did not agree. Some stood up against Him stating, “We heard Him say, ‘I will demolish this sanctuary made by human hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands'” Yet their testimony did not agree even on this.
Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t You have an answer to what these men are testifying against you?” But he kept silent and did not answer anything. Again the high priest questioned Him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
“I am” said Jesus, “and all of you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “What do we still need witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy! What is your decision?
And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. Then some began to spit on Him, to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, saying, “Prophesy!” even the temple police took Him and slapped Him.
While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s servants came. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.”
But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about!” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.
When the servant saw him again she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them!”
But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean!”
Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about!”
Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” When he thought about it, he began to weep.
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