Jesus on Trial, and Peter's denial

John 18:12-27

I want to begin tonight by setting this passage before you, because it is a long passage, longer than what we would usually cover.

However, it is one unit of thought, and a straight forward narrative we should be able to get through easily.

We know Jesus and His disciples are in the Garden of Gethsemane. He has gone there on purpose because Judas knows of the place, and He has a divine appointment with the plan of God.

His hour has come. He will stand on trial overnight before the religious leaders, something illegal according to the Jewish law.

In the morning, He will be put on trial in the civil court of the Romans, and stand before Pontius Pilate.

Scholars have pointed out there were six phases in the trial of Jesus: three religious trials and three civil trials.

During the religious phase: Jesus was taken to Annas, the former High Priest first, then to Caiaphas, the current High Priest, and then He stood before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council.

During the civil phase, Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate who sent Him to Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, who was in Jerusalem for the Passover.

Finally, He went back to Pilate for sentencing, where He was condemned to die and crucified for the sin of the world.

John doesn’t record all of that information for us, probably because it is included in the other gospels and John assumes his readers are familiar with it.

John’s purpose throughout this whole event is to show us, the glory of Christ contrasted with the failure of Peter, and the callused hearts of the Jewish leaders.

What we learn from this passage is: Jesus is the faithful Savior who never fails, even when we fail Him!!

John 18:12–27 KJV

Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him, And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year. Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

John 18:12–27 KJV

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not. And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

John 18:12–27 KJV

The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me? Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.

John 18:12–27 KJV

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

It shouldn’t be hard for any of us to relate to Peter in this passage. Throughout the gospels, Peter is presented as the leader of the disciples. The most boisterous, vocal of all Christ followers. The one who once said, “he would go with Christ even unto death.”

Now, When the hour has come, Peter fails Christ miserably, something we are all guilty of. Whether it was a word we shouldn’t have said, or something we shouldn’t have done, we have all denied discipleship, at one time or another.

What is interesting is: John weaves the story of Peter’s denial’s, right along side the trial of Jesus. John’s purpose is to show us the very reason Jesus would go to the cross: He would die for the failures of God’s people. So, we see the glory of Christ set against the backdrop of Peter’s sin.

Meanwhile, John paints another picture for us. A picture of the unredeemed. The Jewish leaders and their predetermined plan to kill the Son of God.

This is the type of sin Jesus would not die for: those who reject Him, the unrepentant enemy of God.

Because of the structure of this passage, we are going to look at it in four scenes. John will shift back and forth between these two monumental stories, Jesus on trial and Peter’s denial’s.

Scene 1, Jesus arrested and taken to Annas Vs. 12-14. Scene 2, Peter’s first denial Vs. 15-18. Scene 3, Jesus on trial before Annas Vs. 19-24. Scene 4, Peter denies Christ twice, before the rooster crows.

What we learn from this passage is: Jesus is the faithful Savior who never fails, even when we fail Him!!

I. Scene 1, Jesus is arrested and taken to Annas Vs. 12-14

Notice Vs. 12, “Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him”

The word “band” here refers to the Roman cohort, we talked about last week. This could have been anywhere between 200 to 600 men. So, there was an army that came to the Garden to arrest Jesus that night.

The captain would be the one in charge of them. He would have been the official authority on the scene. However, he did not come alone. He brought the “officers of the Jews” with him.

This would have been the temple police. They came out with torches, lanterns, and weapons to arrest Jesus.

We have both the Jews and the Gentiles represented here at His arrest, signaling the responsibility of all men for the persecution of Jesus.

However, John makes it clear, Jesus was not a victim in this scene. In Vs. 6 Jesus blew them to the ground with the breath of His mouth when He proclaimed “I am He.” This was a powerful proclamation of divine authority.

In fact, Matt. 26:53 tells us, Jesus could have called twelve legions of angels to His side in this moment.

That would have been an overwhelming spiritual force, considering 1 angel, in 2 Kings 19:35 destroyed 185,000 Assyrians, at the seige of Judea, by Sennacherib.

But, that was not going to happen here, this was the purpose Jesus came to the world. This was the plan of God, that He would suffer for the wrath of sin.

Therefore, it’s ironic we read, they “took Jesus, and bound Him.” But that is John’s point: Jesus is the willing Savior. John Calvin put it like this: “The body of the Son of God was bound, that our souls might be loosed from the chords of sin and Satan.

Notice Vs. 13, “And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.”

It seems strange to us He would be led to this man named Annas first, who we are told is the Father in law of the High Priest Caiaphas.

Why Annas? You have to understand, Annas served as the High Priest twenty years earlier, and since the office of the high Priest was a lifetime position in Judea, the people still regarded Annas as the legitimate High Priest.

However, the Roman authority didn’t want one man to hold that kind of power, so they would often change the High Priest position.

All five of Annas sons served after him, and now his son in law, Caiaphas held the position. That is why we see both of these men referred to as the High Priest, and evidently, they occupied the same building complex.

You have to understand the corrupt nature of the temple priesthood in the first century. The high Priest’s family was more of a mafia than religious leaders. They made a living off the temple sacrifices.

Well, at the beginning of the week, Jesus rode into town and cleansed the temple. He threw over the tables of the money changers, and drove the animals away with a whip. He said, “My Father’s house will be a house of prayer, not a den of thieves.”

The money changer tables were known as the bazar of Annas. He was selling sacrificial animals there for the Passover, and was making a fortune. So, it is easy to see why Annas wants to destroy Jesus!!

However, by taking Jesus to Annas they were actually breaking Jewish law. Only the sitting High Priest and head of the Sanhedrin, was allowed to try a case, and even then, it was illegal to hold court at night.

So, this is an illegitimate trial, but that is the point John wants to make. They have already determined the outcome, and they are acting under the cloak of darkness.

Notice the final phrase in Vs. 13, “That same year” refers to the year of Jesus death around 33 AD. We know historically, Caiaphas served as High Priest from 18-36 AD.

Notice Vs. 14, “Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.”

John doesn’t include the trial of Jesus before Caiaphas in his version. We have to go to the other gospels to get that information.

John only takes us to Caiaphas and then to Pilate, so we are going to stick with what we have here in John.

John only identifies Caiaphas because of the important prediction He made about Jesus substitutionary death back in John 11:50. There, John makes it clear, Caiaphas prophecy was something he was unaware of.

It is important we understand the pressure Caiaphas was under. He was a political machine, caught between two competing forces.

As the High Priest, He was the head of the Sanhedrin- the Jewish council. That was the second most powerful position in Israel, after the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate.

Caiaphas had the responsibility to Rome, of keeping the peace by keeping the country stable. So, the problem he faced with Jesus was His popularity with the people.

Caiaphas was afraid of an uprising that would lead to a Roman invasion, that’s why he makes this prediction

Look at John chapter 11. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead and everyone saw what He had done. John 11:47–53.

John’s point is to show us the glory of Christ in contrast to the corrupt nature of the Priest hood of Israel. The very ones who should have lead the people to believe, and recognize their Messiah, were seeking to kill Him, and cover it up to hold onto their positions of power.

This speaks of the absolute contamination of the human heart. Jeremiah 17:9 ““The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”

The hour of Jesus death had come and it had been predicted by the unredeemed of the world, the corrupt religious leaders of Israel.

That is scene 1, now John shifts and takes us to Peter.

II. Scene 2, Peter’s first denial of Christ Vs. 15-18.

Peter shows us the exact kind of person and sin, Jesus dies to save. We know that because even though Peter failed miserably. He repented and was restored and on the day of Pentecost, became a bold witness for Christ.

Notice Vs. 15, “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”

Evidently, Peter and another disciple had followed those arresting Jesus back to the courtyard of the High Priest.

Peter is following in curiosity, but he is also following in fear. He is keeping his distance.

Traditionally, we believe this other disciple is John himself. He often referred to himself in the third person, as the disciple whom Jesus loved.

The word “known” in Vs. 15 implies intimacy. We don’t know how the high priest knew John, but apparently he knew him well.

It is believed there is some type of family connection between Salome, John’s mother and the high Priest family, but it is to vague to trace.

The point is: John is not denying anything. He walks boldly into the courtroom, unashamed, and he will follow Jesus, and stand next to Mary at the cross.

John uses this image of himself, to show us how unnecessary Peter’s denial was, and I think it is intended by the Holy Spirit to show us how unnecessary are denials are as well.

Notice Vs. 16, “But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.”

Again we see John in action here. Notice he does three things: 1. he goes out.

2. he spoke to the girl, who kept the door. This is a slave girl in the house of the high priest. in other words, she is insignificant, no one with any power. Yet that is who Peter will fail before.

3. he brought Peter in. I can’t help but be impressed with John here. He is not only identifying Himself as a follower of Jesus but as a friend of Peter. He isn’t afraid of anything.

However, Peter’s failures are getting ready to unfold. He is going to unravel like an old blanket before the world.

Notice Vs. 17, “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.”

Peter had a choice to make in this moment, and he allowed fear to win.

Notice the slave girl recognized the other disciple as a follower of Christ. She asked, “Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples?”

In the original language, the way she worded her question, showed her disdain for Jesus!! In other words, she made it easy for Peter to say no.

So, Peter gave into the moment and denied any association with Christ. And perhaps what he had done in the garden, when he cut off Malchus ear, made him more cautious.

One scholar wrote while John remained close to the Lord and unmolested, Peter fell because he stayed back, and co-mingled with the world.

Notice Vs. 18, “ And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.”

Here we see just how far Peter has fallen. Peter is not only denying Jesus but standing with Jesus’ enemies.

A fire of “coals” is referring to charcoal. That’s important because that kind of fire doesn’t produce much light or heat.

So, if you want to stay warm around a charcoal fire you have to stay close together. That is the image were given of Peter here. He is not only denying Christ but he is huddled up to the world.

Peter shows us what happens to a believer who disregards the council of God, and takes action in his own strength. Jesus told him he would fail but he didn’t listen, and now he has fallen in among the unbelievers.

Now, John shifts the scene again.

III. Scene 3, Jesus on trial before Annas Vs. 19-24.

While John’s version of Peter’s denials are similar to the other gospel’s, Jesus trial before Annas is unique. None of the other gospel writers mention it.

Notice Vs. 19, “The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.”

Clearly Annas, the unofficial high priest is the one doing the questioning here. This is completely illegal according to their own laws.

But it just shows us their hypocrisy, they don’t care about the law, when it comes to achieving their purpose.

Notice, Annas wants to know about two things: His people and His teaching.

He probably asks about his disciples because he wants to know the size of the group following Him. His chief concern was the power and popularity of Jesus.

And, He was interested in His doctrine, because he wanted to know who Jesus claimed to be. He suspected Jesus of being a political revolutionary.

The truth is: Annas is just looking for something to charge Him with. This is a mock trial. The outcome has already been determined. This whole event is illegal according to the Jewish courts of Law. They were not allowed to hold trials at night, or question a suspect directly.

However, they are in a hurry, because the Passover is at hand and then there will be 7 days of the feast of Tabernacles.

So, they are determined to finish this today. What they don’t know is: their wickedness will accomplish the plan of God.

Notice Vs. 20-21, “Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.” “Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.”

In a Jewish court of law, a person did not have to answer questions that would incriminate themselves. That is where our fifth amendment comes from. So, Jesus is essentially pleading the fifth here.

He says, I have taught openly in your synagogues, I don’t have anything to hide. Where are your witnesses?

We know The testimony of witnesses was a very important part of any Jewish trial.

Notice Vs. 22-23, “And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?” “Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?”

The officer who struck Jesus was probably one of the temple police standing by. He didn’t like Jesus response. He thought it was disrespectful so he used it as an excuse to hit Him.

The Greek word is “rhapisma” which means he struck Him with the palm of his hand. This was an illegal act by the guard.

But notice Jesus responded logically and not emotionally. He doesn’t become angry, He is just asking for a fair trial.

We get some good insight into this from Paul’s trial in Acts 23:2-3.

So, what we see here in the trial of Jesus was a first century case of police brutality, and the truth was not important to the Jewish leaders.

The outcome had already been determined. Just like the world they are looking for any reason to punish Jesus.

Notice Vs. 24, “Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.”

Annas couldn’t produce any evidence to condemn Jesus. So, he sends Him to Caiaphas.

Caiaphas had to be the one to interview Jesus to bring any formal charges against Him because he was the official high priest.

But, notice John’s emphasis on Jesus being bound!! Even though He has done nothing to deserve it, He is being treated like a common criminal.

John doesn’t record for us what happened when Jesus appeared before Caiphas, and the Sanhedrin. We have to look to the other gospel writers for that information.

Maybe John considered the meeting before the Sanhedrin as unimportant because the outcome had already been determined.

Then John shifts the scene one final time.

IV. Scene 4, Peter denies Christ twice, before the rooster crows. Vs. 25-27

Notice Vs. 25, “And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.”

Peter had joined the crowd, trying to blend in and become one of them. And when he was asked about Jesus, he denied Him again.

BTW, isn’t this exactly what we try to do? As Christians we want to blend in and go unnoticed by the world. And because of our fear, we have no testimony for Christ. We make no impact on the world.

We are too afraid of being embarrassed or rejected. We are afraid our worldly friends will think different about us.

Notice Vs. 26, “ One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?”

Even though Peter was trying to go unnoticed he gets recognized. Someone there remembered him from the garden, and his fears continue to grow, and his lies continue to flow.

He is on a downhill spiral at this point. Probably afraid of being arrested and crucified himself. He chooses to stand with the world instead of standing for Christ.

Notice Vs. 27, “Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.”

This should be a strong warning for us as believers. We can all fail God!!

Peter was a strong disciple, probably the strongest. That is why he is our example.

We know Peter knew and trusted Jesus as Lord and Messiah. (Mark 8:29)

We know Peter had left everything behind to follow Christ, and followed Him closely for three and a half years. Yet, when push came to shove Peter failed Jesus!!

Every time we deny or neglect to obey, we downgrade Jesus as Lord. When we deny Christ by our words or our actions we are ignoring Him as the Son of God and our Savior.

When we deny Him it says we fear the world more than we have reverence for God.

Anytime we are among a crowd of unbelievers, we can have pressure put on us. Peter was where he didn’t belong. He was hanging out with the world.

There were three places Peter needed to be: by the side of Christ; alone in prayer with God, or with the other disciples. But, instead at this crucial time, He was surrounded by the world. That was a recipe for failure for any of us.

The good news is: Jesus was on His way to the cross. He was going to finish the mission and die for the very sin Peter was committing.

But, not only would Jesus sacrifice be sufficient for Peter, but for all believers, for all time who fail God in the same way.

You see we know the rest of the story. We know Peter repented and was restored, and God used him in amazing ways, and He can do the same thing in your life and mine.

The Jewish leaders on the other hand show us a stark contrast. There is no repentance, therefore, there is no forgiveness. There callused sinful hearts separated them from God for all eternity.