Episode 119 - Jesus' "trial" begins - John 18:12-18

John 18:12   So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

John 18:15   Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

Perhaps you are wondering why John records that this group took Jesus to Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest. The reason is that Annas had been the high priest until the Roman government removed Annas from that position. Regardless of what the Romans said, it is likely many people still considered Annas to be the rightful high priest. At the very least, they respected his opinions and word. So, they started with him. John then qualified that it was Caiaphas, the current high priest, who had suggested that it was better for one man to die than for the whole nation to perish. (John 11:50) It was his way of saying, “We need to get rid of this guy Jesus before he creates a stir among the Romans and we are all punished for it. Yet, his words also rang prophetically true. It was better for one man to die, the God-man Jesus Christ, rather than the whole nation and world to perish in their sins.

Jesus is taken to Annas and Peter and “another disciple” follow along. Since it is commonly understood that the Apostle John is often with Peter and references to this “other disciple” is understood to be John, I’m surmising that this “another” or “other” disciple must likely be John. It would account for the fact that our author has such lucid detail regarding what transpired because he was there. Also, as the author of the book, he seems to downplay his own significance to not come across as making himself the hero. Whoever it is of the disciples that is with Peter following Jesus likely provided the testimony of what transpired during this “trial.” The other disciple has a connection that allows him or her into the courtyard and is able to gain entrance for Peter. It is hard to know exactly where everyone is standing with respect to Annas and Jesus. But, it would seem that Peter is keeping a “safe distance” knowing that he had recently cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. But, the girl at the door recognizes something about Peter and states that he is also a disciple of Jesus. Peter outright denies that he is a disciple of Jesus. If this seems familiar, it is because Jesus told Peter that he would deny that he knew Jesus three times before the rooster crowed (before sun up the next morning). 

John 13:37-38  “Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

This is the beginning of the fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy concerning Peter’s denial. 

Peter often gets singled out for his failures. Yet, is that fair? After all, Peter was the one to pull out the knife in the crowd that came to arrest Jesus and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Peter is even brave enough to follow along and remain relatively close to Jesus when other disciples had dispersed. Yet, when attention is called to him in this hostile environment, he denies being one of Jesus’ disciples. 

I wonder if I would have had any more nerve than Peter did. I’m sure there were plenty of times in my life where I had no more courage to identify with Jesus than Peter did at that moment. Why does John even record Peter’s denial here? Is it just to show that Jesus was correct? As we continue through this story, we’ll see how that works out. I think it’s to show us Peter’s “humanness.” Soon we’ll see that Jesus doesn’t disown Peter for this lapse in courage and faithfulness. Jesus will show patience, forgiveness, compassion, and restoration to a purpose God has for Peter. God is patient and compassionate with us as well as he leads us through our walk of faith and into a life of service for his purposes.