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Then they began to spit in Jesus’ face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him,
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jeering, “Prophesy to us, you Messiah! Who hit you that time?”
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Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.”
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But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
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Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. ”
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Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said.
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A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.”
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Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.
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Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.