The former high priest questioned Jesus concerning his teachings. Jesus said, “I taught in public places, and I didn’t hide anything. If you want to know what I taught, ask those who heard me.”

One of the guards slapped him. “You’re to be respectful when you talk to this man of God!”

Jesus turned to him, “Why did you hit someone who spoke the truth?”

They then took Jesus to a balcony that overlooked the courtyard so he could stand before the high priest. Several people testified against him, but they couldn’t agree about what he said. Others were called to clear up the confusion but simply made it worse.

Finally, in frustration, the high priest said, “Tell me plainly. Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?”

Jesus said, “Yes, I am.”

The priest was shocked and ripped his clothes. He shouted, “We don’t need anything else! You heard him. He blasphemes God.”

Everyone yelled, “Kill him!” They beat him and spit on him.

Peter was watching this from the courtyard.

One of the men looked at him and said, “Here’s one of them! He was with Jesus!”

Peter saw everyone looking at him. “No, I don’t know what you’re talking about. I don’t know him.”

About an hour later, a man spoke up. “I saw you in the garden. You’re one of them.” Turning to the others he said, “Listen to his speech. He’s from Galilee.”

With that, Peter started to swear. Then he said, “Leave me alone! I tell you, I don’t know this man!”

As soon as those words left his mouth, a rooster crowed. Peter looked up and saw Jesus looking at him.

He remembered the words; “You’ll deny me three times before the rooster crows in the morning.” He left the courtyard and cried bitterly.

When the sun came up, the Jewish court was brought together and Jesus was condemned to die. They then took him to the Romans for execution.

When Judas saw all that had happened, he went to the religious leaders. “I’ve sinned! I’ve betrayed an innocent man.”

They laughed, “Why should we care. You deal with it.”

Judas then threw the silver coins on the floor and left. He found a tree and hung himself.