JESUS' TRIAL; PETER'S DENIAL

Passage: John 18:12-27

Key verse: 20

NIV

12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials(A) arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,(B) the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jewish leaders that it would be good if one man died for the people.(C)

Peter’s First Denial(D)

15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest,(E) he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,(F) 16 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.

17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter.

He replied, “I am not.”(G)

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

The High Priest Questions Jesus(J)

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

20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues(K) or at the temple,(L) where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.(M) 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”

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

23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”(P) 24 Then Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas(Q) the high priest.

Peter’s Second and Third Denials(R)

25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself.(S) So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?”

He denied it, saying, “I am not.”(T)

26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off,(U) challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”(V) 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.(W)

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Faces Annas and Caiaphas

12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews[a] arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they (A)led him to (B)Annas, for he was the father-in-law of (C)Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews (D)that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus

15 (E)Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 (F)but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 (G)The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants[b] and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. (H)Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus

19 (I)The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken (J)openly (K)to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. (L)I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, (M)“Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 (N)Annas then sent him bound to (O)Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again

25 (P)Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of (Q)the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you (R)in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and (S)at once a rooster crowed.

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Footnotes
  1. John 18:12 Greek Ioudaioi probably refers here to Jewish religious leaders, and others under their influence, in that time; also verses 14, 31, 36, 38
  2. John 18:18 Or bondservants; also verse 26
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. Jesus' first trial (12-14,19-24) The soldiers arrested Jesus and took him to the high priest's father-in-law. There he was on trial. The high priest asked him about his ministry. Jesus replied that he had no secrets. He always taught openly. Anyone could answer his question. Even though he was bound, they struck him in the face. Jesus replied, "If I said something wrong, testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" Jesus knew this trial was a mockery with a foregone conclusion. But Jesus went through it in obedience to his Father. 2. Peter's denials (15-18, 25-27) Meanwhile, Peter was waiting outside the courtyard, warming himself by a fire. He was asked first by a servant girl, then by others, and a third time by a high priest's servant if he was one of Jesus' disciples. Peter flatly denied it all three times. Peter had not intended to deny Jesus. But his inner fear and lack of faith led him to do so.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus, who went through the trial for us. Help us to confess Jesus in any circumstance.

One Word: Have faith to speak the truth