Those who had arrested Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 Peter was following him at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard, and going inside he sat down with the servants to see the outcome. 59 The chief priests and the entire Sanhedrin kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus in order to put him to death, 60 but they found none, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward 61 who stated, “This man said, ‘I can destroy the temple of God and within three days rebuild it.’” 62 The high priest rose and addressed him, “Have you no answer? What are these men testifying against you?” 63 But Jesus was silent. Then the high priest said to him, “I order you to tell us under oath before the living God whether you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him in reply, “You have said so. But I tell you: From now on you will see ‘the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the Power’ and ‘coming on the clouds of heaven.’” 65 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy; 66 what is your opinion?” They said in reply, “He deserves to die!” 67 Then they spat in his face and struck him, while some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy for us, Messiah: who is it that struck you?”
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. One of the maids came over to him and said, “You too were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it in front of everyone, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about!” 71 As he went out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazorean.” 72 Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man!” 73 A little later the bystanders came over and said to Peter, “Surely you too are one of them; even your speech gives you away.” 74 At that he began to curse and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately a cock crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the cock crows you will deny me three times.” He went out and began to weep bitterly.
After his arrest, Jesus was brought before Caiaphas, the high priest, who was the presiding religious authority among the Jewish people at that time. The scribes and the elders, members of the Sanhedrin who held significant influence over Jewish religious matters, were also present. Peter followed Jesus at a distance as far as the high priest’s courtyard and went inside and sat with the servants to observe what would happen to Jesus. The Sanhedrin, the supreme council of the Jews, comprised of chief priests, scribes, and elders, kept trying to obtain false evidence against Jesus to justify condemning him to death, but they could not find any credible false witnesses. Two false witnesses came forward and misrepresented Jesus' words from the incident when he made a whip out of cords and drove the merchants out of the temple area (Jn. 2:19). By twisting Jesus’ words they falsely accused him of blasphemy.
Caiphas questioned Jesus about the accusations, but Jesus remained silent at first. Caiaphas demanded that Jesus make a solemn and binding declaration before God whether he was the Messiah, the Son of God. Jesus’ trial had now begun. Jesus confirmed that he was the Messiah and spoke of his future glory (Dan. 7:13-14). Jesus’ declaration sealed his fate as Caiaphas tore his robes which in Jewish culture at that time was an expression of horror and condemnation. Caiaphas told the assembly that Jesus had blasphemed and rhetorically asked if there was a need for further witnesses. The assembly of the Sanhedrin unanimously agreed with Caiaphas and condemned Jesus to death. The religious leaders, out of contempt and scorn for Jesus spat in Jesus’ face and physically assaulted him while mocking him and taunting him to prophesy who struck him. The outcome of Jesus’ unjust trial had been predetermined.
A servant girl recognized Peter who was sitting in the courtyard and accused him of being associated with Jesus, the Galilean. Peter was now vulnerable and, filled with fear, he denied any association with Jesus in front of everyone. Peter was challenged similarly by another servant girl and denied, with an oath, any knowledge of or any association with Jesus the Nazorean. As more people recognize Peter, a bystander accused Peter of being one of Jesus’ disciples, and in an attempt to distance himself from Jesus, Peter cursed and swore denying any knowledge of Jesus and the cock crowed. When Peter heard the cock, he was overcome with remorse and sorrow as he recalled Jesus' prediction regarding his denial (Mt. 26:34). Peter wept bitterly.
Almighty God, grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith, even in the face of adversity. Help us to remain steadfast and true to you, even when others may mock or condemn us. Give us the strength to follow Jesus faithfully, and to never deny our relationship with Him. When we falter, may your grace and mercy lead us to repentance and renewal, just as you restored Peter after his denial. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
__________________________________
References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
Comments