Matthew 26:57-75 (Matins 3rd Gospel)
- 57
- And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.
- 58
- But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end.
- 59
- Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death,
- 60
- but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
- 61
- and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’”
- 62
- And the high priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”
- 63
- But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
- 64
- Jesus said to him, “It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
- 65
- Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!
- 66
- What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”
- 67
- Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
- 68
- saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
- 69
- Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”
- 70
- But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”
- 71
- And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
- 72
- But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”
- 73
- And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”
- 74
- Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed.
- 75
- And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly.