Jesus and Peter

John 18:12-27

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. 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. 19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 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.

Notes

Judas led the soldiers and Jewish chief priests to the garden, where Jesus waited. When they asked about Jesus, He replied, “I AM,” which caused them to fall back and fall. Even though Jesus had the power to resist the arrest, He yielded Himself to fulfill the Father’s plan to sacrifice Himself. The arresting party would bring Jesus to a former high priest and the current high priest. The Lord would show steadfastness in His commitment to see the mission through. In contrast, Peter would falter and deny the Lord three times.

1. Jesus Arrested

   Soldiers and Jewish officers arrested Jesus and bound Him. They led them to Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest. Annas was a former high priest; his sons also became high priests. The current high priest was Caiaphas, who believed that it was better for one man to die for the sake of the people.

   
   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 18:12-14).

   Application: The Father’s will shall continue to unfold; He will use unsuspecting people like the Jewish leaders. Believers will experience persecution and trials, but the Father’s will shall continue to unfold. Let us trust and submit to the Father’s will in Christ Jesus.
   

2. Peter’s Denial

   Peter followed Jesus with an anonymous disciple. This unnamed disciple knew the high priest so that he could enter the courtyard. However, he needed to ask the servant girl to let Peter in. The servant girl asked if Peter was a disciple of Jesus, which Peter denied.
   
   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 (John 18:15-18).

   Application: Even though we may desire to follow Jesus entirely like Peter, there could be times that we might falter. We shall not make excuses but humble ourselves before the Father. We confess our sins and shortcomings, giving us all the reason to need Christ, the perfect One who can forgive us.

3. Faithful Savior

   Annas interrogated Jesus about His teaching and His disciples. The Lord did not directly answer the question. Instead, He pointed out that He spoke openly, even challenging the former high priest to ask those who heard Him. Then, someone struck the Lord, who replied that if I am wrong, you should bear witness against me, but if I am right, why strike?

   
   19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. 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 (John 18:19-27).

   Application: Peter is a testimony of God’s grace in Christ. He expressed his full commitment to following Jesus but faltered three times on the night of the betrayal. However, he continued to believe in and obey the Lord Jesus, serving him faithfully until his death.

Reflection & Discussion

1. Why did the arresting party present Jesus to Annas prior to Caiaphas?

2. Explain the prophecy that Caiaphas uttered unknowingly.

3. Contrast the Lord’s steadfastness to Peter’s faltering.