18. It was cold. The servants and officials stood around a fire. They had made it to keep warm. Peter was also standing with them. He was warming himself.
19. Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus. He asked him about his disciples and his teaching.
20. "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I didn't say anything in secret.
21. Why question me? Ask the people who heard me. They certainly know what I said."
22. When Jesus said that, one of the officials nearby hit him in the face. "Is this any way to answer the high priest?" he asked.
23. "Have I said something wrong?" Jesus replied. "If I have, give witness to it. But if I spoke the truth, why did you hit me?"
24. While Jesus was still tied up, Annas sent him to Caiaphas, the high priest.
25. Simon Peter stood there. He was warming himself. Then someone asked him, "You aren't one of Jesus' disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not."
26. One of the high priest's servants was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off. He said to Peter, "Didn't I see you with Jesus in the olive grove?"
27. Again Peter said no. At that very moment a rooster began to crow.
28. Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning. The Jews did not want to be made "unclean." They wanted to be able to eat the Passover meal. So they did not enter the palace.
29. Pilate came out to them. He asked, "What charges are you bringing against this man?"
30. "He has committed crimes," they replied. "If he hadn't, we would not have handed him over to you."