John 18:13-23

John 18:13-23

13 and led Him to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people.

15 Simon Peter was following Jesus, and so was another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.

19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples, and about His teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews come together; and I spoke nothing in secret. 21 “Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said.” 22 When He had said this, one of the officers standing nearby struck Jesus, saying, “Is that the way You answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify of the wrong; but if rightly, why do you strike Me?”

Peter is following Jesus along with who is called “another disciple” that we presume to be John, the author of this book.  John does not seem to write in the first person, so often refers to himself in this way.  They are still close to Jesus and want to see what is going to happen.  John seems to have connections and uses them to get closer to the questioning of Jesus and to get Peter into the court area as well.  In this setting we get a small preview of how each of the characters will respond throughout this process.  There are several lessons we can learn from the why these men act.

PETER’S LACK OF RESOLVE: When Peter is in the courtyard, a young girl recognizes him and asks him if he is a follower of Jesus.  Peter denies being the disciple of Jesus.  He stands with the slaves and warms himself by the fire.  He had been warned that he would deny Jesus.  He had vehemently denied that he would deny Jesus.  Yet, under these circumstances, it seemed imprudent for him to admit he was a disciple.  Peter had imagined Jesus being in far different circumstances than He was at this moment.  He had seen Jesus avoid being arrested in the past.  He had experience multiple miracles while in the company of Jesus.  It did not occur to him that Jesus would permit this kind of treatment of Himself.  It is dangerous for us to consider ourselves above any sort of failure.  We do not know the circumstances or the temptation we may be called to face.  It is easy for us to forget all God has done for us in the midst of danger or suffering.

JESUS’S LACK OF RESPONSE: When Jesus is questioned about His teaching, He does not defend Himself or go into an explanation of who He is and what He had come to do.  He knows that His accusers are not interested in finding the truth but have already made up their minds and are just looking for an opportunity to trap Him in His words.  He simply says that all of His teachings were public and that if they already knew what He had taught.  If they really were interested in what He had taught, they would ask those whom He taught.  He refuses to answer their questions directly.  More significantly, He refuses to respond physically to the situation in which He finds Himself.  He could have escaped as He had done before.  He could have performed some miracle that would have made it impossible for them to continue with the trial.  He could have done any number of things to avoid the condemnation He knew was coming.  Instead, He allowed this unjust trial to proceed so He could pay the price for our sin. 

OFFICER’S LACK OF RESPECT: The officer standing beside Jesus did not like the answer that Jesus gave so he slapped Him.  He then censured him for speaking in that way to the high priest.  It is hard to imagine standing next to the Creator of the universe and having the audacity to slap Him across the face.  The soldier is in the presence of the high priest and God.  He recognizes the authority and respects the high priest but does not see Jesus as God.  Jesus asks the man what was wrong with his statement and challenged him to testify to that effect.  Jesus did not like being slapped any more than we would.  This exchange demonstrates how easy it is for us to honor and respect men of power while forgetting God.  God is always in our presence, yet we tend to show much more concern for what others think than for what God thinks.

APPLICATION: Be careful with expectations.  We are the most vulnerable to temptation when our expectations are not met.  Be prepared to submit to the will of God even when it involves tremendous personal sacrifice.  Live with a consciousness of God’s presence in our lives.  Don’t allow the fear of man to swallow up the fear of the Lord.