11. Then the disciples all leaving him fled. But those who had seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and the elders were assembled. Peter followed him from afar up to the court of the high priest and going in sat with the attendants to see the end. The chief priests and the whole council sought false witnesses against Jesus so they might put him to death. But though many false witnesses approached they did not find any (credible ones). However later two approached and said “This man said I can destroy the shrine of God (temple) and after three days re-build it. Standing up the high priest said to him. “Do you have nothing to answer these men giving evidence against you?” But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him. “I command you by the living God that you tell us if you are the Christ the Son of God.” Jesus says to him “You say it. Yet I tell you you will see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his garments saying “He blasphemed. What more need do we have of witnesses? You have now heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” And they answered saying “He is liable to death.” Then they spat in his face and violently maltreated him. They slapped him saying “Prophesy to us Christ. Who is it who has struck you?” And Peter sat outside in the court. A maidservant approached him saying. “You were also with Jesus the Galilaean.” But he denied it before everyone saying “I do not know what you are talking about.” And going out into the porch someone else saw him and said to those there, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” And again he denied it with an oath saying “I do not know the man.” And after a little while those there approached and said to Peter “Truly you are also one of them for your accent shows it.” Then he began to curse and swear saying “I do not know the man.” Immediately a cock crowed. Peter then remembered the words of Jesus when he said “Before a cock crows you will deny me three times.” Going outside he wept bitterly. When early morning came all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus so as to put him to death. Having bound him they led him away and delivered him to Pilate the governor. Then Judas, on realising the one he had betrayed was condemned, repented and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders saying “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood.” But they said “What is that to us? That’s your problem.” And so tossing the pieces of silver into the temple he left and going away he hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said “It is not lawful to put this money into the treasury since it is blood money. So on taking counsel they bought a potters field for the burial of strangers. It has been called the field of blood until the present time. By this was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, that is “They took the thirty pieces of silver which was the price set on him by some of the sons of Israel. They gave these for the potter’s field as directed by the Lord. Jesus stood before the governor who questioned him saying “Art thou the king of the Jews?” Jesus said “You say it.” When he was accused by the chief priests and elders he answered them nothing. Then Pilate said to him. “Do you hear what things they accuse you about?” And he did not answer him a single word so that the governor marvelled. Now at the time of a feast it was a custom for the governor to release one prisoner that the crowd wanted. They had at the time a notable prisoner called Barabbas. When the crowd were assembled Pilate said to them. “Who do you want me to release to you, Barabbas or Jesus called the Christ. He (Pilate) knew it was because of envy that they had delivered (Jesus) to him. Now while he was sitting on the tribunal seat, his wife sent a message to him saying. “Have nothing to do with that just man for I had a dream today that I suffered many things because of him.” But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. So when the governor said to them “Which of the two will I release to you?” they said “Barabbas.” Pilate says to them “What then will I do with Jesus called Christ?” They all said “Let him be crucified.” But he said “Why what evil has he done?” But they cried out all the more saying “Let him be crucified.” Seeing that nothing was to be gained but rather an uproar was occurring Pilate took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying “I am innocent of the blood of this man. This is upon you.” And answering, all the people said. “His blood be upon us and upon our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them. But having had Jesus scourged he delivered him to be crucified.” Then the governor’s soldiers, having taken Jesus into the praetorium, assembled the whole band of them against Jesus. Stripping him they put a purple cloak around him and having plaited a crown of thorns they put it on his head and a reed in his right hand. Bowing the knee before him they mocked him saying “Hail King of the Jews.” And, spitting at him they took the reed and struck at his head. when they had mocked him they took off the cloak and put his clothes back on and led him way to crucify him. On going out they found a Cyrenian man who was called Simon. They obliged him to carry (Jesus’) cross. Then coming to a place called Golgotha which means a place called “a skull” they gave him wine mixed with gall to drink. On tasting it he would not drink. Then having crucified him they divided his garments casting lots. After that they sat down and guarded him there. They put above his head the charge against him, writing “This is Jesus the King of the Jews”. Crucified with him were two robbers, one on the right and one on the left. People passing by blaphemed against him wagging their heads and saying “This is the one who said that on destroying the temple he could re-build it in three days. Save yourself if you are the Son of God and come down from the cross.” Likewise also the chief priests were mocking him with the scribes and the elders. They said “Others he saved but he cannot save himself. If he is the King of Israel let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him.. He has trusted in God. Let him rescue him now if he wants him. After all he said “I am the Son of God.” In the same way the robbers crucified with him also reproached him. Now from the sixth hour (c/f midday) darkness occurred over all the land until the ninth hour. And at about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a great voice saying, “Eli Eli lema sabachthani?” This means “My God, My God, why have your forsaken me?” Some of the people standing there on hearing this said “This man is calling on Elias.” Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filling it with vinegar attached it to a stick and gave it to him to drink. But the rest said “Leave him. Let us see if Elias comes to save him.” And Jesus again cried out with a loud voice and released his spirit. And behold the veil of the Temple was ripped from top to bottom into two. The ground was shaken and rocks split apart. Tombs were opened and many of the bodies of people who had died were raised again. And coming out of the tombs after he rose again they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Meanwhile the centurion and those with him guarding Jesus, on seeing the earthquake and the things happening around were extremely afraid saying “Truly this man was the Son of God.” Now there were many women watching from the distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee ministering to him. amongst them was Mary the Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. 26:56-27:56