
Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, but Peter was standing outside at the gate. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out, spoke to the woman who guarded the gate, and brought Peter in. The woman said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not,”. John 18:15-17
Jesus has been arrested and bound unnecessarily. He offers no resistance and makes Himself peacefully available. Jesus is first taken to Caiaphas’ father-in-law Annas who is the satan prompting Jesus’ unjustifiabe arrest, for he is the responsible party devising that one man shall die to appease the present Roman heightened anxiety. My friend, should we ever say or think that all Jews killed Jesus then we are in the wrong– there has never been, and still remains, no reason for anti-semitism. It would be like all Americans, for instance, taking accusations for the crimes of mob boss Peter Limone. Annas is the evil man orchestrating this diabolical plot to put Jesus to death by crucifixion.
Now, the disciple John is the ‘disciple known to the high priest’ referred to in our text today. John is known in these circles and Peter is not. Peter is out of place in the inner court and yet as Christians we must not judge our Christian brother Peter here. From Scriptures we can see that Peter stands out with his bold way of speaking, his accent, and his mannerisms. When the guard woman notices Peter as being where he should not be, she asks then he responds with a lie.
Peter then joins the servants and officers around the charcoal fire to warm himself. The guards are around there to keep order. Peter is both curious as to what is happening to the Lord Jesus our Savior and he is hopeful, perhaps, that he can take action at some point. Then, Peter is recognized by the servant’s relative whose ear he had lopped off when Jesus was arrested (and Jesus then healed) who is standing at the same fire warmng himself too.