(a) Give an account of the trial of Jesus before the high priest. [9 marks]
Explanation
a(1) Jesus was led by his captors to Caiaphas (the High Priest), with the members of the Council in attendance.
(2) They sought false witnesses against Jesus to condemn Him but found none.
(3) However, two eventually came forward.
(4) They charged that Jesus had claimed He could destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days.
(5) The High Priest asked Jesus what answer He had to the charge but Jesus kept silent.
(6) The High Priest adjured Him by God to say whether He was the Christ, the Son of God.
(7) Jesus said to him, "You have said so."
(8) "But I tell you" Jesus further said, ... "hereafter you will see the Son of man at the right hand of power and coming with the clouds of heaven".
(9) The High Priest tore his robes and said that Jesus had uttered blasphemy.
(10) Hence, there was no need for witnesses.
(11) He asked the Council what their verdict was.
(12) They answered that Jesus deserved death.
(13) They spat on His face/struck Him/slapped Him.
(14) They asked Him to prophesy to them who had struck Him.
(15) Early in the morning, the Council again met, bound Jesus and led Him away to Pilate.
(b) Peter's role:
(i) When Jesus was led away to the High Priest's Court, Peter followed at a distance and sat with the guards.
(ii) A maid challenged him that he was with Christ. Peter denied it/asserted that he did not know Jesus.
(iii) He went out to the porch where another maid challenged him. Again, he denied it.
(iv) Later, bystanders charged that he was a follower of Jesus since his (Galilean) accent betrayed him ; but he swore he did not know Jesus.
(v) Then the cock crowed and he recalled that Jesus had foretold that he would deny him thrice before cockcrow.
(VI) He went out and wept bitterly.