In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the Division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron.

One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God, during the turn of his Division,

And then Jesus impressed upon him that he was not to say a word to any one, "but," he added, "set out and show yourself to the priest, and make the offerings for your cleansing, in the manner directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure."

As it chanced, a priest was going down by that road. He saw the man, but passed by on the opposite side.

When Jesus saw them, he said: "Go and show yourselves to the priest." And, as they were on their way, they were made clean.

After this the Teachers of the Law and the Chief Priest were eager to lay hands on Jesus then and there, but they were afraid of the people; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed this parable.

The Chief Priest and the Teachers of the Law were looking for an opportunity of destroying Jesus, for they were afraid of the people.

And one of them struck the High Priest's servant and cut off his right ear;

Those who had taken Jesus prisoner took him away into the house of the High Priest. Peter followed at a distance.