(55)In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and staves to apprehend me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid not hold upon me. (56)But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets should be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled. (57)Then they who had apprehended Jesus, brought him to Caiaphas the high-priest, where the scribes and elders were assembled. (58)But Peter followed him at a great distance unto the palace of the high-priest, and entering in, sat down with the servants, to see the issue. (59)Now the chief priests and elders and the whole sanhedrim, sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; (60)and found none: and though many false witnesses came, they found it not _sufficient_. But at the last two false witnesses stepping forth, (61)said, This fellow said, I am able to pull down the temple of God, and to build it up in three days. (62)And the high-priest rising up, said to him, Answerest thou nothing? what do these men witness against thee? (63)But Jesus was silent. And the high-priest addressing him, said, I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou tell us, if thou art the Messiah, the Son of God. (64)Jesus saith to him, Thou hast spoken _the fact_. Moreover I tell you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (65)Then the high-priest rent his garments, saying, he hath blasphemed: what farther need have we of witnesses? lo! now ye have heard his blasphemy: (66)what think ye? They answered and said, He is deserving of death. (67)Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him about; and some slapt his face with their hands, (68)saying, Prophesy to us, you Messiah, who it is that struck thee! (69)Now Peter sat without in the hall: and there came to him a single maid-servant, saying, Thou also wert with Jesus of Galilee. (70)But he denied it before them all, asserting, I know not what thou art saying. (71)Then as he was going out at the gate, another maid-servant saw him, and saith to those who were there, This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth. (72)Then again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. (73)But after a little while they who stood by, came up and said to Peter, Assuredly thou also art one of them: for even thy speech maketh thee manifest. (74)Then began he to utter the bitterest curses, and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. (75)And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said unto him, Before the cock shall crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And going out, he wept bitterly. CHAP. XXVII.