47While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. 51With that, one of Jesus’ companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.
52“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. 53Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”
55In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. 56But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.
Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
59The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward 61and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”
62Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63But Jesus remained 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 so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”e
65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?”
“He is worthy of death,” they answered.
67Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”
Peter Disowns Jesus
69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
74Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. (Matthew 26: 47-75)
Thoughts: This is a long passage but it all goes together as one piece. It involves the Jewish arrest, the Jewish trial at Caiaphas's house, and Peter's disavowal of Jesus. Judas went to the Jewish leaders to get them to pay him for betraying Jesus. It was the soldiers responsible to these same leaders ("chief priests and elders") who arrested Jesus, and took him to the High Priest's house. Today in Jerusalem we think we know where Caiaphas's house is because of some first century steps, inscription, and a holding cell in the midst of the house and priestly instruments. There also is a courtyard in which stands a statue of Peter and a rooster.
Jesus was basically condemned for three things (two listed here): 1) saying he would destroy the Temple. But Jesus was not a terrorist- but a prophet who foresaw its destruction less than a generation later in 70 AD; 2) Claiming to be God- which was blasphemy to Jewish ears; 3) Claiming to be a king (which was Pilate's main reason for crucifying him). The last two claims were true but their meaning was distorted. The Jewish and Roman powers combined to insure Jesus' death, and to stand up to them seemed to be a losing proposition. Peter was very brave to follow Jesus to the High Priest's courtyard, but his bravery caved in the face of accusations that he too was involved in the cause of Jesus. It appears Jesus is a king who is defeated, or a God who has lost power. It may seem that some time in our lives when we are alone and there is no help or hope to be found. But hope is always found in Christ. The cross did come, but the resurrection did too.
Jesus was basically condemned for three things (two listed here): 1) saying he would destroy the Temple. But Jesus was not a terrorist- but a prophet who foresaw its destruction less than a generation later in 70 AD; 2) Claiming to be God- which was blasphemy to Jewish ears; 3) Claiming to be a king (which was Pilate's main reason for crucifying him). The last two claims were true but their meaning was distorted. The Jewish and Roman powers combined to insure Jesus' death, and to stand up to them seemed to be a losing proposition. Peter was very brave to follow Jesus to the High Priest's courtyard, but his bravery caved in the face of accusations that he too was involved in the cause of Jesus. It appears Jesus is a king who is defeated, or a God who has lost power. It may seem that some time in our lives when we are alone and there is no help or hope to be found. But hope is always found in Christ. The cross did come, but the resurrection did too.
Prayer: Lord, help me to believe and not to deny or betray you.
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