PM Home Bible Study Group; April 23, 2014
John 18:12-27
Theme: The faithfulness of our Savior during His trial is highlighted by the unfaithfulness of Peter during his denial.
(Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version; copyright 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc.)
Not only is the Gospel writer John a faithful reporter of the events that he witnessed; but he is also a masterful storyteller.
In good storytelling, when one narrative is intermingled with another, the sum of the two stories together creates a far more powerful narrative impact than either of the two stories told alone. John does this for us in this evening’s passage—mingling the story of our Lord’s trial in the inner chambers of the high priest with that of the denial of Peter in the courtyard. Together, the two stories impact us with the wonderful faithfulness of our Savior against the backdrop of the sad unfaithfulness of His most outspoken follower.
The context of this portion is the trial of our Lord—told by John in three main parts. The first part tells of His interrogation before the high priest Annas (John 18:12-27). John skips His interrogation from Caiaphas (see v. 24; told in greater detail in Matthew 26:57-68; Mark 14:53-65; and Luke 22:63-71); and tells—as the second part—of His interrogation before Pilate (John 18:28-40). The third part is the verdict given Him as Pilate stood Him—beaten and scourged—before His own people; who then demanded that He be crucified (John :1-16). This evening, we consider the first part of John’s telling of the trial of our Lord—His interrogation before Annas.
I. JESUS BROUGHT TO ANNAS (vv. 12-14).
A. After Jesus had yielded Himself to the arresting party in the Garden of Gethsemane—and after He had told Peter, who sought to protect Him, to put away his sword (see vv. 10-11), we’re told, “Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him” (v. 12). They bound Him; but of course, they didn’t really need to. He was giving Himself willingly—drinking of the cup that the Father had given Him to drink. Note the officials that were involved. There were the detachment of troops and the captain; which represented the Roman authority. But there were also the officers of the Jews; which represented the temple police. Both of the main divisions of humanity were involved—that is, the Jews and the Gentiles. And both the political power and the spiritual authority had a hand in the death of our Lord. He willingly died for all humanity; but all humanity put Him on the cross.
B. We’re told further; “And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year”(v. 13). Annas had been removed from his position as high priest some time before. But as was the custom, a former high priest retained the title and served as a ‘high priest emeritus’. That’s why, even though his son-in-law Caiaphas was serving as the high priest that year, Annas still was referred to as high priest and served in something of an advisory capacity. Annas, it seems, was consulted first—perhaps as a way of making a preparatory case to be brought before the acting high priest. The acting high priest, however, is mentioned because of the significant prophecy he had previously made concerning Jesus. As John tells us, “Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people” (v. 14). Back in John 11—after Jesus had drawn so many of the Jewish people to Himself by raising Lazarus from the dead, the Jewish leaders consulted together concerning what to do about Jesus. They were concerned that, if they left Jesus alone, everyone would follow Him; and soon the Romans would step in and take away both their place and their nation. It was Caiaphas who said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:49-50). John explained, “Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad” (vv. 51-52). That was God’s sovereign plan through the wicked scheming of men. It was from that point on that they plotted Jesus’ death; so, from a human standpoint, it was really Caiaphas the high priest who set into motion the slaying of the Lamb of God.
II. PETER BROUGHT INTO THE COURTYARD (vv. 15-18).
A. It’s then that John shifts the scene. As Jesus was being led away to Annas, John tells us, “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple” (v. 15a). The other disciple is most likely John himself; who tended not to mention his own name in order to set himself in the background. But as John tells us, “Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest” (v. 15b). Apparently, John was well-recognized enough to be permitted to follow the Lord and the arresting party into the courtyard. We’re told, “But Peter stood at the door outside” (v. 16a). We might consider this the first step in Peter’s backslide. It may be that he could not enter as easily as John did; but he didn’t try to either. Peter—who formerly couldn’t stand the idea of any space between himself and his beloved Lord—began to draw back. “Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in” (v. 16b). Perhaps this also illustrates our own times of backsliding. We know where the Lord is; but we stand outside the door.
B. And look at what was beginning to happen to the formerly-bold Peter! He at one time drew a sword and was ready to defend his Lord to the death. But now, he weakens even before a mere servant girl. John tells us, “Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?'” (v. 17a). F.F. Bruce translates her words more along the lines of, “Oh no, not another!” (see F.F. Bruce, The Gospel of John [Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1983], p. 345). But Peter simply replied, “I am not” (v. 17b). What a sad and short denial! How it must have wounded the heart of Peter to even hear himself utter it! Earlier, he had boasted that he would lay down his life for Jesus; but Jesus told him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times” (John 13:38). This was denial #1. Note that John goes on to say, “Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself” (v. 18). Peter’s backslide progressed in that he was now standing with those who had arrested Jesus. And remember those coals of fire. As Dr. Harry Ironside pointed out, it would be later on—by the side of another set of burning coals—that out risen Lord would restore Peter and ask him three times, “Do you love Me?” (see John 21:15-19).
III. JESUS QUESTIONED BY THE HIGH PRIEST (vv. 19-24).
A. Back, now, to our Lord within Annas’ inner- chambers. We’re told, “The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine” (v. 19). Our Lord never allowed Himself to step into a trap; and given His response, it seems that that’s what the high priest’s questions were. Remember that his son-in-law already advised that Jesus be put to death; and perhaps these questions were intended to entrap our Lord with His own words—as the Jews had tried to do on other occasions. We’re told, however, “Jesus answered him, ‘I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said'” (vv. 20-21). It’s very likely that many of the very one’s who had heard Him before were standing right there—listening as He said those words. It may be that Jesus even gestured to them as He spoke them. Nothing that Jesus said was hidden. Everything was out in plain view. He was even able to tell the arresting party, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? I sat daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not seize Me. But all this was done that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled” (Matthew 26:55-56).
B. In this context, note the calm patience of our Lord in the face of great injustice. We’re told, “And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, ‘Do You answer the high priest like that?'” (v. 22). But what evil did He say? “Jesus answered him, ‘If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?'” (v. 23). Perhaps the reason He was struck was to try to get Him to at least speak against the high priest in anger. But not even that happened. We’re told, in the end, “Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest” (v. 24). Nothing was found by Annas that could justify His arrest or His execution. Perhaps they thought it would be found by Caiaphas; but it still would not. Our Lord bore our sins on the cross; but He did so righteously—bearing no sin of His own.
IV. PETER QUESTIONED BEFORE THE COALS (vv. 25-27).
A. Back then, once again, to Peter—still in the company of those who had arrested our Lord. We’re told, “Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, ‘You are not also one of His disciples, are you?’ He denied it and said, ‘I am not!'” (v. 25). That’s denial #2. If the first question from the servant girl had been a mere exclamation—”Not another one!”; this one was a direct question. Peter’s denial is growing more deep with each encounter.
B. Finally, we’re told, “One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, ‘Did I not see you in the garden with Him?'” (v. 26). This question would be hard to evade. In another Gospel, we’re even told that Peter’s accent as a Galilean was giving him away (see Matthew 26:73). In that account, Peter resorted to changing his speech entirely—cursing and swearing. Perhaps with him uttering an ungodly and irreverent oath, then, we’re told, “Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed” (v. 27). The Lord Jesus must have been in a position where He could be seen by Peter when he made that denial; because in Luke 22:61, we’re told that the Lord turned at that moment and looked at Peter; and that Peter went out and wept bitterly.
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What a set of scenes to view next to each other! But even more, what a picture they paint together of our Lord’s faithfulness in the light of our unfaithfulness. Knowing what sinners we are, though, He willingly laid down His life for us. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:8-9).