THURSDAY, April 17th of Holy Week

Matthew 26:47-75 (NIV)

 [47] While 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. [48] Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” [49] Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

 [50] Jesus replied, “Friend, do what you came for.”* 

 Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. [51] With 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. [53] Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? [54] But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

 [55] At that time 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. [56] But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

 [57] Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. [58] But 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.

 [59] The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. [60] But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. 

 Finally two came forward [61] and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

 [62] Then 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?” [63] But Jesus remained silent. 

 The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ,* the Son of God.”

 [64] “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

 [65] Then 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. [66] What do you think?” 

 “He is worthy of death,” they answered.

 [67] Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him [68] and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?”

 Peter Disowns Jesus

 26:69-75pp—Mk 14:66-72; Lk 22:55-62; Jn 18:16-18, 25-27

 [69] Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

 [70] But he denied it before them all. “I don't know what you're talking about,” he said.

 [71] Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

 [72] He denied it again, with an oath: “I don't know the man!”

 [73] After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.”

 [74] Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don't know the man!” 

 Immediately a rooster crowed. [75] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.