THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW
The High Priest's House: Mt 26,57-75
The Jewish Hearing: 26,57-68
The scene opens with the setting in the house of the high priest whom Matthew names as Caiaphas (as does John).
Peter's presence is noted in verse 58. Matthew continues Mark's "sandwich effect" so that there is a contrast between Peter and Jesus. He omits Mark's typical detail of Peter warming himself at the fire but emphasises the presence of Peter "to see the end". (There may be more to this than simply "see how it ended" (NRSV).)
Matthew has made a stress on the witnesses being false in verses 59 and 60. Ps 27,12 speaking of false witnesses would be a prayer appropriate to the moment.
The need in verse 60 for two witness for a death sentence is the requirement of Dt 17,6 .
Verse 61 stresses the power of Jesus to destroy the Temple. The three day motif is originally found in Hosea 6,2.
Jesus' silence echoes the servant of Is 53,7 who did not open his mouth though harshly treated.
The high priest then tries to put Jesus on oath; the phrase in verse 63 is unique to Matthew. We recall that Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount rejected oaths (5,33-37).
The expression used by the High Priest echoes the response of Peter at Caesara Philippi (16,16). The underlying meaning though is notably different.
In verse 64, Jesus' reply is more evasive than in Mark. He refers to himself as usual as Son of Man recalling the great vision of Daniel (Dan 7,13-14). Jesus refered to it earlier (24,30) and there have been other echoes of this vision.
Tearing garments in verse 65 may be a sign of the blasphemy though strictly speaking it is forbidden to the high priest (Lev 21,10). The penalty for blasphemy is stoning (Lev 24,10-23). However, the Jews were only able to hand Jesus over to the Roman occupiers.
This may be reflected in "worthy of death" in verse 66. Mk 14,64 does use "condemn".
This is followed by mockery of Jesus in verses 67 and 68. Matthew has made this more specific by Jesus being called Christ.
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Peter's Denials: 26,69-75
Oaths link the high priest (26,63) and Peter. As we have just noted, they are forbidden by Jesus (5,33-37). Peter's behaviour, cursing and swearing, stands in contrast to the steadfastness of Jesus.
In these verses, Peter is moving outward, from the courtyard (26,69) to the gate (26,71) and finally outside (26,75). It's a movement away from Jesus.
The first challenger is a maid (26,69), then another maid (26,71) and then the bystanders (26,73). There were regional accents even then, a comment added by Matthew (26,73). The challenges get more public.
Peter's first denial is public but a simple denial (26,70). Then there is an oath (26,72, another addition by Matthew) before cursing and swearing (26,74).
Then the cock crew (26,75). Peter (unike Judas a little later, 27,5) is able to show remorse (26,75).
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