JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD

Matthew 26:57-75 / Keywords 26:64

"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

 

26:57 Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. 58 But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

59 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. 60 But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward 61 and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?” 63 But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”

64 “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[e]

65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

“He is worthy of death,” they answered.

67 Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him 68 and said, “Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?”

Peter Disowns Jesus

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Footnotes

e. Matthew 26:64 See Psalm 110:1; Daniel 7:13.

1. Yes, it is as you say (57-68)

Jesus was led before the chief priests and the Sanhedrin to stand trial. They tried to produce false evidence against Jesus to put him to death, but could find nothing against him. Two men twisted Jesus’ words about the resurrection, but Jesus did not answer them. When the high priest asked Jesus if he was the Christ, Jesus said, “Yes” (64). Jesus was not intimidated, though his response meant death. Jesus confidently testified that he would sit at the right hand of God and come again in glory and power. This is our hope and faith.

 

2. Peter’s denial (69-75)

Peter had followed at a distance and entered the courtyard under the cover of night. Three times, different people identified him as a follower of Jesus, but each time he denied it. Peter was afraid to identify himself as a disciple of Jesus. When he heard the rooster crow, he remembered Jesus’ words. He wept bitterly because of his betrayal.

 

Prayer Lord, help me to remember the glorious promise that Jesus will come again. Drive out fear from my heart and help me to testify to Jesus.

One Word Jesus is reigning and will come again