35Peter told him, "Even if I have to die with you, I'll never say that I don't know you!" All the other disciples said the same thing.
36Then Jesus went with the disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, "Stay here while I go over there and pray." 37He took Peter and Zebedee's two sons with him. He was beginning to feel deep anguish. 38Then he said to them, "My anguish is so great that I feel as if I'm dying. Wait here, and stay awake with me."
39After walking a little farther, he quickly bowed with his face to the ground and prayed, "Father, if it's possible, let this cup [of suffering] be taken away from me. But let your will be done rather than mine." 40When he went back to the disciples, he found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake with me for one hour? 41Stay awake, and pray that you won't be tempted. You want to do what's right, but you're weak."
42Then he went away a second time and prayed, "Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, let your will be done." 43He found them asleep again because they couldn't keep their eyes open. 44After leaving them again, he went away and prayed the same prayer a third time. 45Then he came back to the disciples and said to them, "You might as well sleep now. The time is near for the Son of Man to be handed over to sinners. 46Get up! Let's go! The one who is betraying me is near."
47Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, arrived. A large crowd carrying swords and clubs was with him. They were from the chief priests and leaders of the people. 48Now, the traitor had given them a signal. He said, "The one I kiss is the man you want. Arrest him!" 49Then Judas quickly stepped up to Jesus and said, "Hello, Rabbi!" and kissed him. 50Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then some men came forward, took hold of Jesus, and arrested him.
51Suddenly, one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and cut off the ear of the chief priest's servant. 52Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword away! All who use a sword will be killed by a sword. 53Don't you think that I could call on my Father to send more than twelve legions of angels to help me now? 54How, then, are the Scriptures to be fulfilled that say this must happen?"
55At that time Jesus said to the crowd, "Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as if I were a criminal? I used to sit teaching in the temple courtyard every day. But you didn't arrest me then. 56All of this has happened so that what the prophets have written would come true." Then all the disciples abandoned him and ran away.
57Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the chief priest, where the scribes and the leaders had gathered together. 58Peter followed at a distance until he came to the chief priest's courtyard. He went inside and sat with the guards to see how this would turn out.
59The chief priests and the whole council were searching for false testimony to use against Jesus in order to execute him. 60But they did not find any, although many came forward with false testimony. At last two men came forward. 61They stated, "This man said, 'I can tear down God's temple and rebuild it in three days.'" 62The chief priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Don't you have any answer to what these men testify against you?" 63But Jesus was silent. Then the chief priest said to him, "Swear an oath in front of the living God and tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?" 64Jesus answered him, "Yes, I am. But I can guarantee that from now on you will see the Son of Man in the highest position in heaven. He will be coming on the clouds of heaven."
65Then the chief priest tore his robes in horror and said, "He has dishonored God! Why do we need any more witnesses? You've just heard him dishonor God! 66What's your verdict?" They answered, "He deserves the death penalty!"
67Then they spit in his face, hit him with their fists, and some of them slapped him. 68They said, "You Christ, if you're a prophet, tell us who hit you."
69Peter was sitting in the courtyard. A female servant came to him and said, "You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean." 70But Peter denied it in front of them all by saying, "I don't know what you're talking about." 71As he went to the entrance, another female servant saw him. She told those who were there, "This man was with Jesus from Nazareth." 72Again Peter denied it and swore with an oath, "I don't know the man!" 73After a little while the men standing there approached Peter and said, "It's obvious you're also one of them. Your accent gives you away!" 74Then Peter began to curse and swear with an oath, "I don't know the man!" Just then a rooster crowed. 75Peter remembered what Jesus had said: "Before a rooster crows, you will say three times that you don't know me." Then Peter went outside and cried bitterly.
