Jesus Is Brought to Annas
The Roman officer and his men, together with the temple police, arrested Jesus and tied him up. They took him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. This was the same Caiaphas who had told the Jewish leaders, "It is better if one person dies for the people."
Peter Says He Doesn?t Know Jesus
15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. That disciple knew the high priest, and he followed Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest?s house. 16 Peter stayed outside near the gate. But the other disciple came back out and spoke to the girl at the gate. She let Peter go in, 17 but asked him, "Aren?t you one of that man?s followers?" "No, I am not!" Peter answered.
18 It was cold, and the servants and temple police had made a charcoal fire. They were warming themselves around it, when Peter went over and stood near the fire to warm himself.
Jesus Is Questioned by the High Priest
19 The high priest questioned Jesus about his followers and his teaching. 20 But Jesus told him, "I have spoken freely in front of everyone. And I have always taught in our meeting places and in the temple, where all of our people come together. I have not said anything in secret. 21 Why are you questioning me? Why don?t you ask the people who heard me? They know what I have said."
22 As soon as Jesus said this, one of the temple police hit him and said, "That?s no way to talk to the high priest!" 23 Jesus answered, "If I have done something wrong, say so. But if not, why did you hit me?" 24 Jesus was still tied up, and Annas sent him to Caiaphas the high priest.
Peter Again Denies that He Knows Jesus
25 While Simon Peter was standing there warming himself, someone asked him, "Aren?t you one of Jesus? followers?" Again Peter denied it and said, "No, I am not!" 26 One of the high priest?s servants was there. He was a relative of the servant whose ear Peter had cut off, and he asked, "Didn?t I see you in the garden with that man?" 27 Once more Peter denied it, and right then a rooster crowed.