What is happening to Jesus while Peter is denying Him?
Having been handed off by
Annas to Caiaphas and his cronies (see
Servant Girl), He is dealing with their false witnesses and false
accusations: Matthew 26:59-68 59 Now the
chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony
against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but
found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none.
But at last two false witnesses came forward 61
and said, “This fellow has been saying, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to
build it in three days.’ ” 62 And the high
priest arose and said to Him, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men
testify against You?” 63 But Jesus kept
silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, “I put You under oath
by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!”
64 Jesus said to him, “It is as you said.
Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the
Son of Man sitting at
the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes,
saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses?
Look, now you have heard His blasphemy! 66
What do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death.”
67 Then they spat in His face and beat Him;
and others struck Him with the palms of their hands,
68 saying, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who is the one who struck You?”
Had Jesus really said, "I am able to destroy the
temple of God and to build it in three days" (Matthew 26:61)?
No, He had said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will
raise it up." (John 2:19)
So what three falsehoods are in their accusation?
Jesus had said, "Destroy" (John 2:19), meaning 'when you destroy,' not
“I am able to destroy" (Matthew 26:61),
although it would be a true statement if He had made it. He also had said,
"this temple" (John 2:19),
meaning His own body, not the “temple of God” (Matthew 26:61)
in Jerusalem. And He had
said that He will "raise it up" (John 2:19), meaning
His resurrection,
not "build it" (Matthew 26:61).
Since they had already decided to kill Jesus and now have
Him in their custody, why are they bothering with testimonies and witnesses?
"The chief priests, the elders, and all the council" (Matthew 26:59)
- i.e., the Sanhedrin - is holding a court trial to officially convict and sentence
Jesus.