FEAR AND TRUTH

Passage: Matthew 26:57-75

Key verse: 64

NIV

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin(A)

57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas(B) 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.(C) He entered and sat down with the guards(D) to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin(E) 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(F) came forward.

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

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.(I)

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath(J) by the living God:(K) Tell us if you are the Messiah,(L) the Son of God.”(M)

64 “You have said so,”(N) Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One(O) and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[a](P)

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes(Q) 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,”(R) they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists.(S) Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”(T)

Peter Disowns Jesus(U)

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 servant 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; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, 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.”(V) And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 26:64 See Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Before Caiaphas and the Council

57 (A)Then (B)those who had seized Jesus led him to (C)Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders had gathered. 58 And (D)Peter was following him at a distance, as far as (E)the courtyard of the high priest, and going inside he sat with (F)the guards to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests and the whole council[a] (G)were seeking false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death, 60 but they found none, (H)though many false witnesses came forward. At last (I)two came forward 61 and said, “This man said, (J)‘I am able to (K)destroy the temple of God, and to rebuild it in three days.’” 62 And the high priest stood up and said, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?”[b] 63 (L)But Jesus remained silent. (M)And the high priest said to him, (N)“I adjure you by (O)the living God, (P)tell us if you are (Q)the Christ, (R)the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, (S)“You have said so. But I tell you, from now on (T)you will see the Son of Man (U)seated at the right hand of Power and (V)coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest (W)tore his robes and said, (X)“He has uttered blasphemy. What further witnesses do we need? You have now heard his blasphemy. 66 What is your judgment?” They answered, (Y)“He deserves death.” 67 Then (Z)they spit in his face (AA)and (AB)struck him. And some slapped him, 68 saying, “Prophesy to us, you (AC)Christ! Who is it that struck you?”

Peter Denies Jesus

69 (AD)Now Peter was sitting outside (AE)in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus (AF)of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for (AG)your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, (AH)“Before the rooster crows, you will (AI)deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 26:59 Greek Sanhedrin
  2. Matthew 26:62 Or Have you no answer to what these men testify against you?
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Jesus went before the Sanhedrin where the judgment was already predetermined. Jesus had challenged the religious authorities to the point where they really only had two options. They could either accept the truth of his word and deeds and repent or they would have to deal with Jesus once and for all. Choosing the latter revealed the extent of their desire to yield power and control over others. It also revealed their fear over the threat that Jesus had over their control. The end game of control is inevitably injustice and death.

Peter, confronted by a servant girl, could not overcome his own fears and disowned Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. Jesus, however, did not give in to fear. Jesus did not have any need to defend himself when false allegations were made, but when charged with being the Messiah, the Son of God, Jesus replied, “You have said so..”

In the midst of betrayal, injustice, abandonment, and physical suffering, Jesus held on to the truth above all. Jesus won the battle over fear and man’s attempt to control at all costs, and revealed the true nature of the evil at work.

Prayer: Lord, have mercy on us, reveal the true nature of our hearts and the institutions we uphold. May we live by love and not by fear. Give us courage to stand up against any injustice we face.

One Word: Confront sin with truth.