In the High Priest’s Palace—Rejected (Mark 14:53–72)

The principle of presumed innocence is one of the foundations of modern civil life, as is the right to be tried without undue delay. In most cases people who are suspected of breaking the law can count on two things: their guilt will have to be proven in a court of law, and they will not be confined at random. But that’s not how it happened with Jesus. With Jesus in custody they did not want to delay proceedings, thereby arousing opposition to His arrest. Actually they had already determined to kill Him; their only problem was getting evidence that would justify it.

I. False Testimony (14:53–65)

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. 55 Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. 57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ” 59 But not even then did their testimony agree. 60 And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 61 But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” 62 Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” 63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. 65 Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.

A. The historical problems connected with the trial account are notorious.

First, no trial could be held at night. Second, the verdict in a capital case could not be reached until the second day, and therefore trials could not be held on the eve of the Sabbath or a feast day. Third, witnesses had to be warned to relate only true, firsthand testimony. Fourth, those accused of blasphemy could be convicted only if they reviled the Divine Name. Fifth, trials could not be held in the palace of the high priest. Sixth, the Old Testament does not specify crucifixion as a punishment.

If ever a trial was rigged—this was it. The religious leaders did not seem to have any problems finding false witnesses, even though it was early in the morning. These witnesses were the best money could buy. But according to Old Testament law (Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15), two witnesses had to agree in their testimony before a criminal could be condemned to death. The testimony of these false witnesses was inconsistent, so it was disqualified.

B. The religious leaders thought they had a charge that would stick.

Two people had heard Jesus say, I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man. Yet, even here the witnesses could not agree on what Jesus had actually said. Having failed to get consistent witnesses, the high priest himself chose to interrogate Jesus.

The high priest was hoping to bait Jesus into giving an answer to the accusations made against him and thereby to trap him. Jesus had kept silent up to this point. Probably in an act of desperation, the high priest went for the jugular. He needed a charge of blasphemy, which was a capital crime. So he asked Jesus, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? Literally, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?”

C. Throughout this time of false accusation, our Lord said nothing.

Jesus offered nothing in the way of a defense. Even under the hostile prompting of the high priest he remained silent. His studied silence leaves the impression that the whole proceeding was about something else. His silence frustrated the court and brought its proceedings to a standstill.

Jesus may not have answered because there was no need to do so. He calmly watched as they scrambled to put together a believable case. No charge had been sustained. Silence indicated innocence. Through it all, jesus respectfully committed to God His mistreatment at the hands of lawless men.

D. Jesus breaks His silence.

Jesus replied to Caiaphas without hesitation, I am. Jesus up to this point had not claimed publicly to be the Messiah. He did not want to be identified with the false perceptions of the Messiah that existed among the Jews. But this was the right time to make public such a claim.

Jesus then elaborated by combining two key verses from the Old Testament about the Son of Man (Ps. 110:1; Dan. 7:13). Jesus was saying that he was in ultimate control (sitting at the right hand of the Power) and he would return to earth to set up his kingdom (coming with the clouds of heaven). He declared that he would rise again after his crucifixion and that he would have full authority as well as the power to bring ultimate judgment.

This was what the religious leaders had been waiting for this statement, which was considered blasphemous. All of the members of the Sanhedrin concurred with Caiaphas’s judgment of blasphemy against Jesus and condemned him as worthy of death.

II. Peter’s Denial (14:66–72)

66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed. 69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he denied it again.And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.” 71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!” 72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

A. While the Lord was being mocked and abused, Peter was in the courtyard below.

Had he heeded the Lord’s warnings, he would have avoided walking into temptation and denying his Master three times. He is a warning to all of us, for, after all, if an apostle who walked with Christ denied his Lord, what might we do in similar circumstances?

First, one of the high priest’s servant girls spoke to Peter, and he denied knowing anything about Jesus. Then the cock crowed. Another servant girl pointed Peter out to some of the bystanders, and again Peter denied knowing Jesus. Finally, a man accused him of being one of the disciples, and some of the bystanders joined in; but Peter vehemently denied knowing Jesus, and even put himself under a curse. Then the cock crowed for the second time and the Lord’s prediction was fulfilled

B. It was not the crowing of the cock that convicted Peter.

It was the remembering of Christ’s words. It is always the Word that penetrates the heart and brings about true repentance. Peter pondered what Jesus had said and what he himself had done; and then Jesus, on His way to Pilate’s hall, turned and looked at Peter. It was a look of love, to be sure, but injured love (Luke 22:61). His heart broken, Peter went out quickly and wept bitterly.

Before we judge Peter too severely, we need to examine our own lives. How many times have we denied the Lord and lost opportunities to share the Gospel with others? Do we, like Peter, talk when we should listen, argue when we should obey, sleep when we should pray, and fight when we should submit? Peter at least was sorry for his sins and wept over them, and the Lord did forgive him.