Six Trials

Six Trials
John 18:15-18

15 And [de] Simon [Simon] Peter [Petros] followed [akoloutheo] Jesus [Iesous] , and [kai] so did another [allos] disciple [mathetes] : [de] that [ekeinos] disciple [mathetes] was [en] known [gnostos] unto the high priest [archiereus] , and [kai] went in with [suneiserchomai] Jesus [Iesous] into [eis] the palace [aule] of the high priest [archiereus] .
16 But [de] Peter [Petros] stood [histemi] at [pros] the door [thura] without [exo] . Then [oun] went out [exerchomai] that other [allos] disciple [mathetes] , which [hos] was [en] known [gnostos] unto the high priest [archiereus] , and [kai] spake [epo] unto her that kept the door [thuroros] , and [kai] brought in [eisago] Peter [Petros] .
17 Then [oun] saith [lego] the damsel [paidiske] that kept the door [thuroros] unto Peter [Petros] , Art [ei] not [me] thou [su] also [kai] one of [ek] this [toutou] man's [anthropos] disciples [mathetes] ? He [ekeinos] saith [lego] , I am [eimi] not [ou] .
18 And [de] the servants [doulos] and [kai] officers [huperetes] stood there [histemi] , who had made [poieo] a fire of coals [anthrakia] ; for [hoti] it was [en] cold [psuchos] : and [kai] they warmed themselves [thermaino] : and [de] Peter [Petros] stood [en] [histemi] with [meta] them [autos] , and [kai] warmed himself [thermaino] . KJV-Interlinear

15 And 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 in Peter. 17 The slave-girl therefore 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 also was with them, standing and warming himself. NASB

Now that we have some background and a summary of the events that are going to take place in the next several hours of the night and following morning, we should be able to see the actions of people, of leadership, and of Gods intended result of this matter.

Jesus came into the world in order to fulfill the principles taught by the sacrifices, which we have already studied in Leviticus. Namely that there must be a penalty for mans sins, and that penalty has to be paid by someone. Since man cannot pay his own debt, because it is just too great, then a Messiah has to come along who is greater than man - namely God who will become man via the virgin birth, Jesus Christ. The perfect and impeccable offering, and pay that debt off in behalf of mankind.

We have studied the various parties in this sequence of events, from the various women, to the apostles, to various unnamed disciples, to the leadership of Judea, to the leadership of Rome within the district of Judea. Who people are makes no difference. What people think does make a difference however.

God controls history. God places people into history by imputing their lives into new born babies at the point of birth. Knowing what people will think, what their motives will be, and what they will do in the circumstances presented to them, God then can orchestrate the outcome which is best for mankind. And He can do this without interfering with any decisions made by mankind.

Satan, on the other hand, would like to orchestrate history, but he does not have foreknowledge. He does not have the power over birth and death. Satan is long on wishes, and short on historical insight.

In many instances Jesus should have been released, but He was not. The thinking of the people in power as well as their ultimate actions brings history to its pinnacle and the Cross. We cannot blame the Cross on the Jews, nor the gentiles, nor anyone per se. No single race or culture, nor combination of races or culture are guilty of these events. Just certain and specific people did the deeds. It was a classic good verses evil and God won out, by the actions of God on the cross.

Now we have Peter, the one who promised to lay down his own life to save Christ's, and just moments earlier cut off the ear of the High Priests servant. Now he is reluctant to be identified with Jesus, though he follows at some distance from the Garden to the palace of Annas.

There is another disciple with Peter, but this disciple is not identified. John never refers to himself by name, but this disciple seems to have access to the palace of Annas, so it is not likely John who is with Peter, but another person who has believed in Christ. Another person who has access to the buildings of the elders and temple priests. This unnamed disciple, too, remains silent. We don't know if it is out of fear, as with Peter, or out of understanding what is going on in history - namely Jesus' destiny with the Cross.

The disciple enters the court along with Jesus. Peter follows along far behind. The doors are closed. Jesus is taken into an inner area to be questioned by Annas. The servants and officers remain in the outer courtyard, and start a fire to keep themselves warm.

The disciple (he seems to be able to move about without intimidation, which implies that he understands the significance of the these events) comes back to the main entrance door and speaks to the slave girl who is stationed at the door, and asks that Peter be allowed into the outer courtyard. Peter enters. The girl (a slave girl) now asks and very simple and innocent question. 'Aren't you one of the disciples of Jesus?'

Note that the slave girl, a door keeper in the house of Annas, has some knowledge of Jesus and Peter. She has most likely seen them in the Temple, or on the street. It isn't likely that she went to the Garden and participated in the arrest. By her mentioning the relationship of Peter with Jesus (being a disciple) she obviously has knowledge of Jesus, and this simply shows the extent of the knowledge of Jesus within the city, even within the house of Annas, who is not a disciple of Jesus.

Peter could have said, 'Yes.' Peter could have asked that He be allowed to stand with Jesus to testify in His behalf. He could have addressed the hearing and stated that He knows Jesus and that he stands beside Him regardless of the outcome. Peter could have remained silent, as the other disciple apparently did, knowing the obvious outcome, and just be there to observe God working history to His intended purpose.

But Peter, being immature spiritually, having not listened closely to what Jesus had been teaching, and therefore not knowing what really was going on, was insecure, and more afraid for his own life. The simple question from a slave girl brought him to a strong defense and denial. We might have expected something like this if the servant whose ear was cut off, had come out and pointed Peter out, but this was just a slave girl, tending the door. Peter was never in any danger. All attention was being directed in the inner room where Jesus was being held.

Note that it was a cold night. Peter chooses to stand with the servants near the fire to keep himself warm. They had to have been engaged in some sort of conversation. If it concerned Jesus , then Peter, by his silence, condoned it (their conversation). If their conversation was one regarding the cold, of the typical days events, or things unrelated to Jesus, then again, Peter failed in not defending Jesus who was just in an adjacent room, which no doubt was cold too. Do you suppose Jesus had a coat on? Still bound, He probably was exposed to the cold with no one even a bit concerned for His comfort.

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