John 18

Contrasts in Courage

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.—Matthew 26:33-35

Russell Marten

The account of the betrayal and trial of our Lord offers us many insights into courage and commitment. We especially see this in contrasting Peter’s actions with that of our Lord on his final night on earth.

John recorded his gospel long after the other three had been written and thus could reflect and contrast his account with the other accounts. The other three give detailed accounts of the events recorded in the first half of John 18, but it is John who gives more details of the first appearance of Jesus before Pilate. John also is the only one who records the discourses given after the memorial but before entering the garden (see chapters 14 through 17).

The Capture

Chapter 18 begins with the entry of Judas into the garden with the agents of the high priest (verses 2 and 3). Throughout his ministry Jesus had avoided situations in which he would be liable to an arrest in a relatively private area, away from the throngs of people that often followed him. This evening would be different. He was ready to partake of the cup that his Father had poured for him. His resolve to be faithful and his courage are immediately shown in the opening verses of John 18. He knew Judas was betraying him, but he was not certain as to the exact circumstances of the betrayal. The Garden of Gethsemane apparently was frequented by our Lord and the apostles before this, so Judas would have known it would be the most likely place where they would feel comfortable. When Jesus caught sight of Judas, he immediately offered up himself with the simple phrase, "I am he."

There was one point to be made to his captors which Jesus would also make clear to Pilate: "Thou couldest have no power at all against me except it were given thee from above" (John 19:11). In verse 6 some unknown force caused the armed band who came for Jesus to be pushed backward when he uttered the simple phrase, "I am he." The implication is clear: Jesus was surrendering to them but it was not because of their power. He had access to power far greater than they could ever resist; his surrender to them was totally voluntary. The terms of the surrender would be his, conditional on the release of the rest of his followers with him in the garden. Our Lord’s concern was not for himself but for his disciples and their safety. Peter (and perhaps others too) showed some courage in the drawing of his sword and attacking the servant of the high priest. But when Jesus healed the servant, he indicated that he had no intention of resisting arrest.

The Scattering of the Disciples

Some of the disciples left and presumably scattered in different directions, either individually or in small groups, leaving the Lord alone with his captors. Some, like Peter, would put some distance between themselves and the captors but remain close enough to determine what washappening. Jesus’ deepest concern for those closest to him never wavered, neither in the best of times nor here at the start of his darkest hours on earth.

Jesus would be led to Annas first, a man who was formerly the high priest and the father-in-law of the current high priest, Caiaphas. Annas’ acquiescence to the arrest was deemed necessary in order to get enough people to support the execution of the Lord.

Peter’s Denials

John 18:14-18 records the start of Peter’s actions. Just before the discourses in the preceding four chapters John relates the prophetic remarks of our Lord regarding Peter’s promise of support (John 13:37,38). "Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice." Although Peter was courageous in drawing his sword in defense of our Lord in the garden, he would fail to demonstrate his courage and resolve in less theatrical circumstances.

He was in the company of another disciple as he went into the courtyard of Annas. Who was the disciple who went in with Jesus? It might have been John, although all we know is that it was "another disciple." It could have been either Joseph of Arimathea or Nicodemus who were known by the high priest because they were members of the Sanhedrin. Whoever it was, he went in to the palace as Peter lingered cautiously outside. This "other disciple" asked a woman to get Peter and bring him inside, apparently sure there was no interest in prosecuting any of Jesus’ followers.

It is somewhat easy to understand the cautious attitude of Peter. If we look deep within ourselves, we likely would pale at putting ourselves in harm’s way. At this late hour the streets were probably deserted and somewhat eerie. The light from the torches of those escorting Jesus to the home of Annas would cast menacing shadows at the feet of Peter as he trailed the throng at a safe distance out of immediate sight.

There would have been a group of people at the gateway to the residence and greater light revealing the faces of those who entered. Discouragement was influencing Peter’s thoughts. He could not see any possible positive outcome to the events unfolding before him. The woman sent to bring Peter inside found him and started to escort him through the door. Whoever the "other disciple" was, he undoubtedly was known to be sympathetic and a follower of Jesus, so a natural question was posed to Peter as they approached the entrance: Was he not one of Jesus’ disciples? This question and the looming entrance to a place where the enemies of the Master were gathered instilled a fear that took control of Peter. Afraid that an admission of being a disciple might cause one of Annas’ men to take him into custody, he denied his association with Jesus, broke away from the woman, and tried to blend in with the officers of the high priest standing outside at a fire to keep warm.

A Lesson in Contrasts

Peter’s behavior was in sharp contrast to the way the Lord reacted when he was alone and surrounded by his enemies. Even given his pre-human experience with the Father and the intimate communication which he still enjoyed, we cannot discount the human emotions of fear and uncertainty which he might have felt in this hostile environment. He had previously, while in the garden, been assured by the Father that he had been faithful to that point, but the trials, human emotions, and anxieties that were coming to bear would be greater than he had ever before experienced.

Jesus stood before the council and with quiet confidence answered the questions of Annas. Had he been covertly teaching doctrine that undermined the Jewish faith? Jesus replied that his teachings were always made in public where any Jew might listen. Our Lord chided Annas: "Don’t ask me. Your people were there at the temple; they heard me, ask them." This provoked one of the officers to strike him. Our Lord’s simple reply would again put his accusers somewhat on the defensive. This hearing was purportedly for the purpose of establishing facts. Jesus had not threatened anyone and disparaged no one. A physical attack was not warranted and he demanded to be told the justification for the attack. Unimpressed with his calm and logical responses, Annas sent him off to his son-in-law Caiaphas, the high priest recognized by the Roman government.

At the entrance to Caiaphas’ house a similar scene took place. It was now perhaps two or three o’clock in the morning. A chill was in the air as Peter loitered outside still trying to look for an opportunity to rescue the Master. A fire here was burning as a source of warmth for the soldiers who had arrested and escorted Jesus. Peter stood there with them also trying to get warm. Peter again was questioned, "Are you not one of Jesus’ disciples?" Now, a second time, Peter denied his association. This exchange caused others in the group to look closer at him. One of Caiaphas’ men recognized him as the one who drew his sword to defend Jesus and again challenged him to admit his discipleship. Regrettably, Peter failed a third time to acknowledge that he was a follower of Jesus. The cock crew, a stinging reminder of the Master’s prediction that he would deny him thrice.

Many are willing to engage in a bold, visible defense of our Lord as Peter had done in the garden: "Lord I would gladly die in your defense." The nobility of action is satisfying and builds up one’s ego. As we learn from Peter, that is the easy part. The hard part is the way in which Peter and all of us must acknowledge our discipleship every day, breaking with the hopes, aims, and ambitions of those we meet in the world. It is not easy to say, "I can not engage in that because I follow the Master." It is easier to give some other reason that portrays us as less religiously fanatic. But if we do so, we deny the Lord as Peter did.

It appears that Jesus remained at Caiaphas’ house until perhaps eight o’clock the next morning. They had to get an early start as Passover started at sunset. The quicker they moved the less chance there would be for significant hostile public sentiment to build against the execution plans of the Sanhedrin. Jesus was marched to Pilate who tried to stay out of the religious affairs of the Jews. Only the Romans had the power of direct execution so the Jews’ insistence on the death of Jesus required Pilate’s authorization. Pilate questioned Jesus, trying to ascertain the danger of the man before him. Rome knew the Jews hated its occupation of Israel. It was highly unusual for one Jew to be accused and brought before him by another Jew. The Jewish leaders apparently were expecting a quick approval to their charges and demand for Jesus’ execution.

As Jesus had done before the Sanhedrin, nocompromises or embellishments of the truth were given to Pilate. With a few clever responses Jesus could have easily convinced Pilate that an execution would not be good for his career. But partaking of this cup meant he would speak nothing but the truth. Yes, he was the King of the Jews, but not a king that would threaten Caesar militarily. His servants would not fight on earth for a kingdom that was not of the earth. Pilate’s sarcastic question ("What is truth?") was not a request for information; it was an expression of disbelief that anyone of an inferior nation could have any insight into "the truth." It was simply a rhetorical question.

The Lesson for Today

This contrast in courage is not a disparagement of Peter’s character but it does contain a lesson for our edification. As babes in Christ we are sometimes reticent to declare our allegiance to the Master. The pressure to be politically correct by not being too fanatical or too moral, while quite timeless, has been intensifying over the last few decades. It should be a great concern for every true Christian. It becomes more incumbent upon us to strongly identify ourselves as soldiers of the cross, confidently and courageously. We undoubtedly have had our Peter-type denials in one form or another, but let us each strive to go forward as we boldly acknowledge our discipleship in every aspect of our life.