New Testament in a Year

⁵⁴ Kefa followed him at a distance right into the courtyard of the cohen hagadol, where he sat down with the guards and warmed himself by the fire.

⁵⁵ The head cohanim and the whole Sanhedrin tried to find evidence against Yeshua, so that they might have him put to death, but they couldn’t find any. ⁵⁶ For many people gave false evidence against him, but their testimonies didn’t agree. ⁵⁷ Some stood up and gave this false testimony: ⁵⁸ “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this Temple made with hands; and in three days I will build another one, not made with hands.’” ⁵⁹ Even so, their testimonies didn’t agree.

⁶⁰ The cohen hagadol stood up in the front and asked Yeshua, “Have you nothing to say to the accusations these men are making?” ⁶¹ But he remained silent and made no reply. Again the cohen hagadol questioned him: “Are you the Mashiach, Ben-HaM’vorakh?” ⁶² “I AM,” answered Yeshua. “Moreover, you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of HaG’vurah and coming on the clouds of heaven.”^{[a] 63} At this, the cohen hagadol tore his clothes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? ⁶⁴ You heard him blaspheme! What is your decision?” And they all declared him guilty and subject to the death penalty.

⁶⁵ Then some began spitting at him; and after blindfolding him, they started pounding him with their fists and saying to him, “Let’s see you prophesy!” And as the guards took him, they beat him too.

⁶⁶ Meanwhile, Kefa was still in the courtyard below. One of the serving-girls of the cohen hagadol ⁶⁷ saw Kefa warming himself, took a look at him, and said, “You were with the man from Natzeret, Yeshua!” ⁶⁸ But he denied it, saying, “I haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about!” He went outside into the entryway, and a rooster crowed. ⁶⁹ The girl saw him there and started telling the bystanders, “This fellow is one of them.” ⁷⁰ Again he denied it. A little later, the bystanders themselves said to Kefa, “You must be one of them, because you’re from the Galil.” ⁷¹ At this he began to invoke a curse on himself as he swore, “I do not know this man you are telling me about!” — ⁷² and immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Kefa remembered what Yeshua had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times.” And throwing himself down, he burst into tears.