Episode121-A Contrast of "Trials" - John 18:25-27

John 18:25   Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

I had initially intended to cover a more extensive section of scripture in this episode. However, as I reflected upon this brief account of the last two of Peter’s three denials that he was a disciple of Jesus, I thought there was plenty here for it to stand on its own. Recall that at their dinner, Peter had asserted that he would “lay down his life” for Jesus. But, Jesus responded that Peter would deny Jesus “three times . . .before the rooster crowed.” (John 13:37-38). 

Peter had taken out a knife/sword in the garden and assaulted a member of the crowd that came to arrest Jesus. He had shown a measure of boldness at that moment. However, John had already revealed that Peter quickly denied that he was a disciple of Jesus when he was questioned upon entering the courtyard. (John 18:17)

At that point, our author does not continue with the account of the others who question Peter concerning his relationship with Jesus. Instead, he turns the attention to Annas’  interrogation of Jesus. Why does John do this? For one reason, it is good storytelling to help the reader understand the things that are happening in two places at the same time. When Peter enters the grounds, he is questioned and he then approaches the fire to keep warm while trying to find out what is going to happen to Jesus. Meanwhile, Jesus was nearby being questioned by Annas. In these concurring events, I think John wants us to see something else.

Back in John 5:30-46, Jesus had argued that his teaching and the miracles he was performing were from God. He wasn’t some lone “prophet” bringing new or novel teaching. He appealed to the Law, which spoke of the requirement of “two or three witnesses” in order to substantiate the facts of a matter. He offered the “witnesses” that verified the source of his teaching and miracles.

Deut. 19:15   “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”

Now, notice what is happening in this “trial” of Jesus before Annas. Are there any witnesses? No. Annas just questions Jesus about his teachings and his disciples. So, Jesus responded that there are plenty of witnesses to what he taught because he taught openly and often even at the temple itself. Jesus indirectly told Annas (the high priest) that Annas was violating the Jewish Law by not having witnesses to any accusations against Jesus. Annas was attempting to get Jesus to incriminate himself, and Jesus was not falling for that. He did nothing wrong. That’s when (and probably why) Annas decided to send Jesus to Caiaphas. 

Before John followed Jesus to Caiaphas, he returned to the scene of Peter and others around the fire. Peter had already denied Jesus once. In verse 25,“others” are also thinking that Peter is one of Jesus’ disciples and they question him. For the second time. Peter denied that he was a disciple of Jesus. Finally, one person from the arresting party, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, suggested that he saw Peter in the garden with Jesus. Peter denied a third time that he was with Jesus. The accusation that Peter was a disciple of Jesus not only intensified, but got more specific. Most importantly, John is showing us that the requirement of “two or three witnesses” has been fulfilled in this informal “trial” of Peter. The evidence reveals that he is “guilty” of being a disciple of Jesus and, furthermore, is guilty of denying Jesus. In doing so, Peter fulfilled Jesus’ prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.

John added that “immediately” after his third denial, the rooster crowed. (v. 27) Jesus’ prophecy to Peter was exact. 

It appears to me that John is juxtaposing the innocence of Jesus with the guilt of Peter.  Jesus’ faithfulness to the Law and his mission as well as the integrity of his word is evident through the fact that there are no witnesses to accuse him. Peter’s tragic unfaithfulness, as one of Jesus’s closest friends and breach of integrity to his word, stands in stark contrast. It makes me wonder how often my faithfulness to the Lord and his mission have been compromised. 

As we will soon see, Peter’s failures do not negate God’s mercy to him and Gods’ plan to use him for His mission. This is an important lesson for us all to learn. The Lord knows our frailties and he knows when we might even deny him through our words and actions. He is willing to lead us back to where we need to be and to strengthen us for what He has in store for us. His mercy and grace are abundant.

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.