Denial

Denial

John 18:12-18, NLT

So the soldiers, their commanding officer, and the Temple guards arrested Jesus and tied him up. 13First they took him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest at that time. 14Caiaphas was the one who had told the other Jewish leaders, “It’s better that one man should die for the people.” 15Simon Peter followed Jesus, as did another of the disciples. That other disciple was acquainted with the high priest, so he was allowed to enter the high priest’s courtyard with Jesus. 16Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in. 17The woman asked Peter, “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” “No,” he said, “I am not.” 18Because it was cold, the household servants and the guards had made a charcoal fire. They stood around it, warming themselves, and Peter stood with them, warming himself.

Setting the Scene

Peter had run from the garden along with all the other disciples. But then he and another disciple had returned and joined those who were watching the events. The procession from the garden led to Annas’s house where Annas questioned Jesus first.

Annas was the former high priest (from AD 6 to 15) and father-in-law of Caiaphas, the ruling high priest. After Annas had been deposed by Roman rulers, Caiaphas had been appointed high priest. According to Jewish law, the office of high priest was held for life, but the Roman government had taken over the process of appointing all political and religious leaders. Caiaphas served for eighteen years (AD 18 to 36/37), longer than most high priests, suggesting that he was gifted at cooperating with the Romans. Caiaphas was the first to recommend Jesus’ death in order to save the nation (John 11:49-50). Many Jews, however, still considered Annas to be the high priest. Annas may have asked to question Jesus after his arrest and then been given permission to do so. John 18:12-24 describes this hearing. Annas and Caiaphas undoubtedly lived near each other, perhaps even sharing this same large residence in Jerusalem; thus, Jesus could easily have been questioned by both of them in a short amount of time.

This house was more like a compound surrounded by walls with a guarded gate. Evidently the unnamed disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest and thus was allowed to enter the courtyard. At this disciple’s suggestion, the woman at the gate opened it for Peter.

As he entered the courtyard, Peter was immediately put on the defensive as this woman at the gate asked him if he was one of Jesus’ followers. The construction of the question expects a negative answer: “You’re not one of that man’s disciples, are you?” We don’t know how loud Peter spoke or his inflection, but he seems to have responded quickly, eager to remain anonymous and blend in. And Peter lied, “No, I am not,” and joined those warming themselves at a fire. Jerusalem sits 2,500 feet above sea level and would have been chilly on this spring night. So those occupied in this terrible business under the cover of darkness were chilled. The fire kept the cold at bay.

Just a few hours earlier, Peter had declared that he would never abandon Jesus. We can imagine the bold confidence in Peter’s voice: “I’ll stand by you, Lord, even if I’m the only one!”

But then Jesus had predicted Peter’s denials: “I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me” (John 13:38, NLT).

And Peter had responded, “No! Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” (Matthew 26:35, NLT).

Getting Personal

Why do you think Peter made such a bold declaration in the upper room?

When have you made a similar statement of loyalty to Christ? What happened?

When have you seen supposedly strong, confident believers turn their backs on Christ?

What can you do to be more honest and realistic in your professions of faith and more Christ-honoring in your actions?

Bold assertions of faith and loyalty are easy to make apart from life’s pressures and temptations and when surrounded by like-minded believers. The true test comes in the real world, when following Christ isn’t popular, when his people are threatened and bullied. Peter had said he would never leave Jesus, that he would even die for him. But he ran from the soldiers, kept his distance, and then distanced himself further from his Lord.

Talking to God

Acknowledge that it’s at the times when you feel strong and able to resist temptation that you’re most likely to fail or fall. Ask the Lord to help you depend on his strength in every circumstance.