On the southwest side of Mount Zion lived the Jewish high priest Caiaphas and his father-in-law Annas. Jewish historian Josephus reports Annas had been appointed high priest by Quirinius (Luke 2:2) but removed from office by Valerius Gratus, Pilate’s predecessor, nine years later.
Annas was a skillful politician. He became the power behind the throne for Caiaphas and five other family members, all of whom served as high priest. It is not surprising that John’s Gospel says the soldiers and temple guards who arrested Jesus took Him first to Annas.
Imagine the scene. Annas, several members of the Sanhedrin and others who cooked up the scheme to have Jesus crucified anxiously await the mob dragging Jesus to them. When the gate to the courtyard finally opens, scores push through, even hundreds.
Near the back of the throng were two of Jesus’ disciples — Peter and one identified only as “the other disciple.” The second disciple knew the high priest and was known by him. He entered the courtyard without question. Peter was not known by the gatekeepers. It took the intervention of the other disciple for him to gain entrance.
Sometimes overlooked is the courage it took for Peter and the other disciple to follow Jesus to the high priest’s home. Perhaps Peter still intended to keep his promise to die with Jesus. He had drawn his sword to protect Jesus. One sword against hundreds but he did it only to be told to stand down and let the events play themselves out.
Peter’s failed courage
As Peter stepped into the high priest’s courtyard, his courage failed. The doorkeeper asked if he was being allowed into the crowded place because he was a follower of Jesus. Think about it. At the far end of the courtyard stood Jesus bound like a common criminal. Peter could have gone to Him, comforted Him by the presence of a faithful follower.
When Annas asked Jesus about His disciples (John 18:19), Peter could have stepped forward not only as a disciple but as the leader of the disciples. Peter’s boldness might have encouraged the other disciple to identify himself as a Jesus-follower. Perhaps Peter could have offered Jesus a precious drink of water or provided some other comfort for Him.
Possible eye-witness
At the very least Peter could have been close to Jesus in order to provide an eyewitness account of all that transpired for the other disciples who were not present.
Instead Peter told the gatekeeper he was not a follower of this rabbi from Galilee.
At one end of the courtyard Jesus was left alone to deal with the crafty Annas whose probing questions seem to search for some reason to charge the prisoner already arrested and standing before him. Jesus’ response surprised the accusers. “Why ask Me?” he retorted. Jesus said He had taught in public places for all to hear, that He had spoken clearly for all to understand, that none of His teachings were secretive.
One of the guards thought the response impertinent. Jesus was not showing the proper respect due the former high priest, the guard concluded, and struck Jesus across the face. How tragic that like the guard in the story some still act as if respect can be forced through violence.
Some believe the guard hit Jesus with a staff or rod and contend the incident fulfilled the prophecy of Micah 5:1 where the writer says of the promised ruler from Bethlehem, “They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod.”
No one in that crowded courtyard saw the blow as a fulfillment of prophecy. That would come later. The crowd saw only a painful blow. Jesus protested that since He only spoke truth there was no reason for the guard to strike Him.
The writer of Luke elaborates, writing the guards played sport with Jesus. They blindfolded Him, beat Him, mocked Him and insulted Him (Luke 22:63).
At the other end of the courtyard another drama was playing out. Perhaps taking their cue from Annas query about Jesus’ disciples, those gathered around a warming fire asked Peter a leading question — “You are not one of His disciples are you?” Peter was quick to answer no.
Peter chose not to stand with Jesus. He hung to the fringes of the crowd. After the first lie to the gatekeeper, it was easier to tell the second lie. That is how sin works.
About an hour later a relative of Malchus — Caiaphas’ servant whose ear Peter had cut off earlier that evening — confronted Peter again. This time the charge was unavoidable — “Didn’t I see you with Him in the olive grove?”
Peter’s response was as strong as the accusation. He knew nothing of Jesus, nothing of the garden and nothing of all the ruckus going on in the courtyard. Peter’s first lie had to be covered by a second and now both had to be covered by a third.
That is when the rooster crowed. To those around him it was such a common thing they might not have noticed dawn’s announcement. To Peter the sound was like the voice of God. That is when Peter remembered Jesus’ words that “before the rooster crows today, you will disown Me three times.”
Two punishing blows
Luke’s Gospel adds another poignant detail. Luke 22:61 says that at that moment “the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.” No words were exchanged between them. No words were necessary. Both knew what had happened.
Luke simply adds that Peter went outside and “wept bitterly.”
What about Jesus? In that courtyard He endured two punishing blows. One was an abusive physical blow from a temple guard. The other was personal denial by a loyal and trusted friend.
Which do you think hurt Jesus the most?
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