54. Peter had followed at a distance. And when he reached the courtyard of the high priest's house, he sat down with the guards to warm himself beside a fire.
55. The chief priests and the whole council tried to find someone to accuse Jesus of a crime, so they could put him to death. But they could not find anyone to accuse him.
56. Many people did tell lies against Jesus, but they did not agree on what they said.
57. Finally, some men stood up and lied about him. They said,
58. “We heard him say he would tear down this temple that we built. He also claimed that in three days he would build another one without any help.”
59. But even then they did not agree on what they said.
60. The high priest stood up in the council and asked Jesus, “Why don't you say something in your own defence? Don't you hear the charges they are making against you?”
61. But Jesus kept quiet and did not say a word. The high priest asked him another question, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the glorious God?”
62. “Yes, I am!” Jesus answered.“Soon you will seethe Son of Mansitting at the right sideof God All-Powerful,and coming with the cloudsof heaven.”
63. At once the high priest ripped his robe apart and shouted, “Why do we need more witnesses?
64. You heard him claim to be God! What is your decision?” They all agreed that he should be put to death.
65. Some of the people started spitting on Jesus. They blindfolded him, hit him with their fists, and said, “Tell us who hit you!” Then the guards took charge of Jesus and beat him.
66. While Peter was still in the courtyard, a servant girl of the high priest came up
67. and saw Peter warming himself by the fire. She stared at him and said, “You were with Jesus from Nazareth!”
68. Peter replied, “That isn't true! I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any idea what you mean.” He went out to the gate, and a cock crowed.
69. The servant girl saw Peter again and said to the people standing there, “This man is one of them!”