Mark 14:53-72

The denial and trial of Jesus Mark 14:53-72: Over the next several hours Jesus was dragged from one to another and went through several mock trials. During this time Peter followed from afar. Many false charges were raised against Jesus. The High Priest was shocked that Jesus would not defend Himself. Finally he asked, "Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am." This led the High Pries and others to say Jesus was worthy of death. "Some of the people started spitting on Jesus. They blindfolded him, hit him with their fists, and said, "Tell us who hit you!"

It was against this background that Peter denied three times that he knew the Lord. At first a servant girl said to Peter "you were with Jesus." He denied saying, "That is not true! I do not know what you are talking about." A second time a girl said, "This is one of them. And he denied it again." A little later they said, "Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean...But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak." Right away the rooster crowed a second time. Peter remembered the words of Jesus "Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." He went out and wept bitterly. Both Judas and Peter had denied the Lord. But their final conduct was far different. Judas destroyed his life through suicide while Peter repented through godly sorrow.