Headed to the Cross (part 2)

Introduction

Last week we ended our study with verse 13 of chapter 18. We read that the mob took Jesus to Annas, the “high priest.”

We looked last week at exactly who Annas was. He was a man with considerable clout in the Jewish community. Furthermore, while the son-in-law of Annas, Caiaphas, was the acting high priest, Annas had been appointed the high priest of Israel and still had the clout of the high priest.

So, Jesus was taken to the house of Annas for questioning.

In this section

John is going to go back and forth between what is happening with Jesus as he stands before the religious leaders and what happens to Peter down in the courtyard.

This section of scripture has parrel passages in the other gospel accounts (cf. Matt. 26:57-58, 69-70; Mark 14:53-54, 66-68; Luke. 22:54-57) that can be used to gain a more robust picture of the events around this story.

This section in the gospel of John can be outlined in this way:

A description of what is happening in the courtyard (v. Jn. 18:15-18).

What happened inside the building itself (v. Jn 18:19-24).

And then back out in the courtyard (v. Jn. 18:25-27).

The narrative presents two disciples following the mob to he house of Annas (see notes on Jn. 18:12).

The first one is identified as Peter, who had to wait outside.

And an unnamed discipled entered the house and reportedly received permission to bring Peter in as well.

If you have your Bibles, and I trust that you do, I want to encourage you to turn with me to John chapter 18 and we’ll begin reading with verse 15.

Peter’s First Denial

John 18:15 NIV

Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,

We are told that two disciples followed Jesus as he was led away by the mob (v. 15a).

The first disciple is identified as Peter, and the story will follow much of what happened to Peter (v. 15b).

The second disciple is unnamed (v. 15c). Tradition has it that the unnamed disciples was John himself. This follows the literary style of John who does not use his name to address himself. Most commonly he uses the term “beloved disciple.” The struggle hinges on the Greek word, “gonostos” which suggests are relationship of some closeness (to really know) rather than mere recognition (to recognize). Considering the closeness that is implied in the wording has caused may scholars to question whether a “simple fisherman” would have the kind of political and religious clout to move in such circles.

At the same time, a Galilean fisherman’s connection to the Jerusalem high priest may not be as far-fetched as one might think. If he possessed some wealth, had relatives with strong connections, and/or lived in a society (unlike ours) that does not place barriers between those who do manual labor and those who fulfill the priestly rolls, a close relationship could easily occur.

Considering all of the current evidence, it seems most likely that the unnamed disciple in verse 15 is John, himself.

John 18:16 NIV

but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

We are told that Peter had to wait outside the courtyard of the house and was not allowed to enter (v. 16a).

The other disciple, we are told, was known by the high priest (Annas) (v. 16b).

Because of this relationship went inside (v. 16c). Apparently, he went inside to talk to someone and get permission to allow Peter to enter the courtyard.

Then this disciples came back, and talked to the servant girl who was on duty there and she went out and brought Peter into the courtyard (v. 16d).

John 18:17 NIV

“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”

As the servant girl brings Peter into the courtyard, she asks him, “Your aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you? (v. 17a).

Peter denies being a disciple of Jesus (v. 17b).

Side Note

John 18:18 NIV

It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

Verse 18, tells us that it was a cold night.

The cold prompted the people standing out in the courtyard to stand around a fire to keep warm.

Peter also stood around the fire with them, warming himself.

Introduction of Annas

John 18:19 NIV

Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.

When in we come to verse 19, John gives us a time marker. John uses the word that connects the events and acts as a transition. The NIV chooses to translate it “meanwhile.” Some other versions choose to not translate the word at all.

So while Peter was down in the courtyard denying Jesus, we’re told that the high priest (Annas) questioned (Gk. questioned, asked) Jesus about two things:

They questioned him about his disciples.

And they questioned him about his teachings.

True to the character of Annas, he seems to have been more concerned about Jesus’ disciples than he was about his teachings since he asked Jesus about them first.

This questioning was all about trying to gather some kind of evidence or “dirt” on Jesus. This was not a “legal” proceeding because there were no witnesses called.

Jesus’ Response

John 18:20 NIV

“I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.

Jesus’ reply was open and honest (v. 20a).

He tells Annas that he spoke openly to everyone around him (the world) (v. 20b).

To prove his point, Jesus tells Annas that he ALWAYS taught in the synagogues or at the temple (v. 20c).

These were places where the Jews came together--to worship (v. 20d).

Jesus’ conclusion is that he said NOTHING in secret (v. 20e). Jesus had no hidden message. He had no hidden agenda. He had nothing to hide, but presented everything openly!

John 18:21 NIV

Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

So, Jesus’ question is simple—why are you questioning me? (v. 21a).

Jesus says they should ask those who had heard his teachings (v. 21b). Here’s the truth, Annas had no doubt heard his teachings at some point.

The Religious People’s Response

John 18:22 NIV

When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby slapped him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.

One of the officials that was standing near by slapped Jesus in the face (v. 22a). Can you imagine someone slapping the eternal God of the universe in the face? I cannot imagine slapping the creator of the universe (cf. John 1).

The official demanded an answer from Jesus—“Is this the way the way you answer the high priest?” (v. 22b).

Jesus’ Second Response

John 18:23 NIV

“If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”

Jesus says, “If I said something wrong, testify to what is wrong. . .” (v. 23a). The official never really accused Jesus of doing anything wrong, so Jesus askes him to tell Jesus what wrong he had done.

On the other hand, if Jesus spoke the truth, he should never have been struck.

John 18:24 NIV

Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Without an answer, Annas ties Jesus back up and sends him to Caiaphas, the acting high priest.

The key is that they never gave Jesus an answer for his “offense.” They literally leave him hanging.

Simon Peter’s Second Denial

John 18:25 NIV

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”

Once again, we have the time-marker translated by the NIV as “meanwhile” (v. 25a).

Simon Peter is still outside in the courtyard standing there warming himself (v. 25b).

So some of those standing around asked Peter, “Your not one of his disciples, are you?” (v. 25c).

Peter denied by stating that he is not (v. 25d).

Peter’s Third Denial

John 18:26 NIV

One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”

We are introduced to another character in the story. This character was a relative of the man that Peter had cut the ear off of (v. 26a).

He challenged Peter, by saying, “Didn’t I see you with him [Jesus] in the garden?

Peter’s Response

John 18:27 NIV

Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Once again, Peter denied knowing Jesus (v. 27a).

At that exact moment a rooster crowed (cf. Jn. 13:38) (v. 27b).

Other parallel passages tell us that Jesus went out crying (cf. Mk. 14:72).

So What?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read this story, and thought I would NEVER do something like that.

But, here’s the problem. I have denied Jesus!

Certainly not in the same way as Peter, but I have denied Jesus, all the same.