Peter's Denial
Key Verse 20: Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.
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V15-18
15 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 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 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[e] and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
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Why didn't Peter go together with Jesus and John into the courtyard of the high priest at first? Why do you think Peter denied being Jesus's disciple to the servant girl? What did Peter do once he got into the courtyard? Why do you think Peter behaved this way?
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Why didn't Peter go together with Jesus and John into the courtyard of the high priest at first?
He was not able to enter because he was not known to the high priest.
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Why do you think Peter denied being Jesus's disciple to the servant girl?
He was afraid of being arrested. Even his master, Jesus, was arrested. So he could be fearful.
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What did Peter do once he got into the courtyard?
He stood warming himself with other servants and officers.
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Why do you think Peter behaved this way?
He did not want to be noticed. He wanted to be buried among the crowds. Unconsciously, he wanted to identify himself with them. In this way, he wanted to hide himself.
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Additional notes from V15-18
15 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 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 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.”
Peter’s answer, “I am not,” is in contrast with Jesus’ answer, “I am he.”
18 Now the servants[e] and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
Peter was full of love, passion, and zeal before Jesus was arrested. But it was not enough for him to follow Jesus to the place of his trial. When he was with Jesus. Peter was ready to die for Jesus. But now, Peter’s inside was very unstable. But now he was fearful.
The conversation between Jesus and Peter in John 13:36-38 shows it well.
“36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” (John 13:36-38)
Jesus knew his weakness and limitations. But Peter was full of zeal. So he might have thought, “Lord, you do not know me. You do not recognize me. I will prove that I am ready to die.” But Jesus knew him better. Peter might have thought Jesus would fight together with him when he drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. But now Peter lost his heart and became very weak. He was weak and fearful because of a threat from a mere servant girl.
Peter’s great passion, love, and loyalty to follow Jesus completely failed before a little threat. It is the limitation of human zeal and loyalty.
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V19-23
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. 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, “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?”
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What did the high priest do with Jesus once Jesus was brought to him? Why do you think the high priest was against Jesus? Who did Jesus speak and share his teachings with? (20) Why do you think Jesus did not repeat these things again and share them directly with the high priest? How was Jesus shown as innocent in this questioning? (23)
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What did the high priest do with Jesus once Jesus was brought to him?
He questioned Jesus about his disciples and teaching.
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Why do you think the high priest was against Jesus?
Because he believed Jesus was a criminal. He thought Jesus blasphemed God when he claimed he was the son of God.
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Who did Jesus speak and share his teachings with? (20)
“20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret.”
He openly spoke with all the Jews.
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Why do you think Jesus did not repeat these things again and share them directly with the high priest?
Jesus was ready to become the Lamb of God. It was also the way to prove his innocence. He was innocent if they investigated Jesus’ teaching.
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How was Jesus shown as innocent in this questioning? (23)
“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?”
He gently told the truth.
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Additional notes from V19-23
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
Why did the high priest ask two things? Probably it was because he thought Jesus was teaching some hidden false teachings to his disciples.
20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world.
Open talk.
I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple,
Public places
where all Jews come together.
He taught everyone.
I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me?
What he said was already known. It was public teaching.
Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.”
You don't even need to ask me.
22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?”
The officer thought what Jesus said was rude to the high priest. So he struck him with his hand.
23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong;
“What I said” could refer to Jesus’ teaching to his disciples, since Annas was asking Jesus’ disciples about it. Or it could refer to what Jesus said to the high priest.
Annas thought that Jesus could seed a rebellious idea against the Roman Empire, forming his own group of people with false teaching. His question was to find fault with Jesus. Annas thought Jesus had a hidden motive and a secret. But Jesus said, “I don’t have any secret teachings.” Jesus’ teaching was innocent, and it was very open and clear.
Jesus did not need to hide anything. Jesus always taught the truth openly and clearly.
but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?”
Everyone should be allowed to say freely without any threat to defend themselves in the Jewish court. Jesus implied his strike was not fair.
They wanted to find some charge to accuse Jesus. They did not think about what Jesus said and did. They had already predetermined, thinking, “This guy cannot be the Messiah. What he did came from the devil.” But Jesus suggested to think about what he said.
Even today, many people, instead of thinking about what Jesus said, have already made up their minds about Jesus.
But Jesus implied, “Think about me based on what I taught and did instead of judging me blindly.”
Jesus taught before all Jews. So we also need to teach everyone openly, rather than fearing others’ responses or feeling uneasy.
24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
Annas could not find any fault with Jesus. So he sent to Caiaphas. Annas was a retired high priest. So his court is not legal. It should be before Caiaphas. Jesus was not condemned yet. So he should not be struck.
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V25-27
25 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 the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
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What was Peter doing when he was questioned again? Why do you think he was outside by the fire instead of inside with Jesus? What happened after Peter denied Jesus 3 times? What is the significance of the rooster crowing? (John 13:36-38)
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What was Peter doing when he was questioned again?
Warming himself with officers and servants.
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Why do you think he was outside by the fire instead of inside with Jesus?
Because he was afraid to be identified with Jesus’ disciples.
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What happened after Peter denied Jesus 3 times?
Other gospel said he went outside and wept bitterly.
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What is the significance of the rooster crowing? (John 13:36-38)
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“36 Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” 37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” 38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” (John 13:36-38)
It was the fulfillment of Jesus’ words to Peter.
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Additional notes from V25-27
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself.
He was still there.
So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
Here, once he denied he could not recover. His status became worse and worse. Later, his denial became stronger and stronger. Somehow, if we are detached from Jesus and go down the wrong track, we become worse and worse. The second denial was worse than the first.
26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?”
Now Peter was standing before a more serious threat. The man was the relative of the man whose ear Peter cut off.
27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
If we get on the wrong track, it is hard to get out of that track. By dening Jesus’ three times, he denied Jesus completely. Peter totally failed. He failed in his words and action. He failed in his loyalty.
We cannot follow Jesus with our own zeal, passion, confidence, or desire. Peter was changed after Jesus’ death and resurrection. How was he changed?
First of all, the Holy Spirit came to him.
Second, Peter deeply understands the meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. He was full of hope for the resurrection. Through Jesus’ death, he was deeply convinced that Jesus is the promised Messiah and that Jesus’ death was necessary. And he was deeply convinced of the resurrection.
After that to him, his death was nothing. Even he was willing to participate in Jesus’ death. Only when we have deep faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection can we follow Jesus. So early Christians became martyrs. Peter shows such truth in 1 Peter 4:12-19.
1 Peter 4:12-19.
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar 19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory[b] and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. - - - (skipped v.17-18 because it talks about a different topic)
19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
Peter knew Jesus was the Messiah. But he did not know the deep meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. But he was totally changed after knowing the deep meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection. So his message was full of the message of resurrection, and he was not afraid of suffering.
Peter must have deeply realized that the resurrection comes through the suffering of death, and therefore, he was not afraid of suffering and death.
Peter would understand what Jesus achieved through his death on the cross. Through his death on the cross, Jesus saved all people and brought resurrection. If we deeply understand that going through death on the cross brings eternal life we can become very bold and would not be afraid of suffering or death. That is why Paul said, “I want to know Jesus and the power of his resurrection and sharing his sufferings.”
That is why Jesus said to Peter in a way, “to know me as Messiah; is not enough. Only after my death and resurrection will you see the full picture, and you will be able to follow me.”
Jesus died on the cross and rose again. Jesus’ death is for me, and his resurrection is mine. His death is my death, and his resurrection is my resurrection, and eternal life is given to me through it.
To lose self-confidence and rely on Jesus only is the key.
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Application
Consider Peter in today's passage: What factors in life may impact our walk with Jesus, our closeness with him, and our boldness to be a good witness and disciple?
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Consider Peter in today's passage: What factors in life may impact our walk with Jesus, our closeness with him, and our boldness to be a good witness and disciple?
We need to overcome fear.
The end.
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