About Jesus  -  Steve Sweetman

    Peter’s First Denial (ch. 18:15-18)

In verse 15 we see that Peter and another disciple followed Jesus and the soldiers.  It is apparent that the other nine apostles did not follow Jesus.  Luke tells us that Peter and the other disciple followed from a distance.  They wanted to be with Jesus but probably were afraid to get to close to what was happening. 

Although the other disciple is not named, all Bible teachers believe him to be John because John seldom refers to Himself in the first person or by name in his gospel record. 

Somehow Annas knew John.  How he knew John is unknown for sure.  Some Bible teachers believe that John had reasons to visit Annas before.  Why that would be the case I don't know. 

Verse 16 simply tells us that John spoke to a girl on duty at the door in order to let Peter into the courtyard.  Why a girl was standing at the door and not a man, I don't know.    

Verse 17 speaks of Peter's denial.  The girl asked him if he was one of Jesus' disciples and he simply lied.  He said he was not.  Unlike the other gospel accounts John does not dwell on Peter's denial.  

In verse 18 John tells us that it was cold outside and so there were a number of officials and servants standing by the fire keeping warm.  Peter stood by the fire as well.  It appears that John might not have been with Peter at the fire. Many Bible teachers believe that John was inside with Jesus and the high priest and other officials.  That makes sense since John obviously knew what was going on well enough to record it in his book.