51
Jesus said, "Let them be. Even in this." Then, touching the servant's ear, he healed him.
52
Jesus spoke to those who had come - high priests, Temple police, religion leaders: "What is this, jumping me with swords and clubs as if I were a dangerous criminal?
53
Day after day I've been with you in the Temple and you've not so much as lifted a hand against me. But do it your way - it's a dark night, a dark hour."
54
Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance.
55
In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm.
56
One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, "This man was with him!"
57
He denied it, "Woman, I don't even know him."
58
A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, "You're one of them." But Peter denied it: "Man, I am not."
59
About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: "He's got to have been with him! He's got 'Galilean' written all over him."
60
Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about." At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed.
61
Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."