Matthew 26:57 & 58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27.
Historical Setting:
Time: Friday morning, April 7, A.D. 30, 2:00-3:00 a.m.
Place: Court of Caiaphas’ Palace
Persons: Christ, Peter, John, maid and men servants.
When Jesus was taken, bound, from the Garden of Gethsemane, all of His disciples had been terrified that they would be arrested, along with Jesus. So they fled, all but two, Peter and John. When they see that the band who came out after Jesus are not interested in the rest of them, Peter and John turn back from fleeing. They creep along, following from a distance, keeping in the shadow of walls and houses, and out of sight of Christ’s guards. All the way to Annas’ house they follow, and up to the courts of the palace of the high priest.
Caiaphas’ palace was built about an interior, quadrangular court, which was entered from the street by an arched passage. A heavy door admitted beasts of burden to the court, and in this large gate was a smaller wicker one for the admission of people. Porters were in charge of this gate. It was through this door that the entourage accompanying Jesus has passed. John, who was known to the high priest, is allowed to enter with them, but Peter, not being known, is shut out. When John reaches the inner court he notices that Peter is no longer with him, so he goes back to the entrance, persuading the porter girl to admit his friend.
Jesus is taken to the judgment hall, which opens out from the court, and John follows Him, keeping as near to Jesus as he can. He, at least, was not ashamed to be known as Jesus’ disciple at this point. But it is different with Peter. Instead of going into the judgment hall, he hangs back in the court, afraid to be recognized as Jesus’ follower. What ever has happened to Peter’s boldness? Where was that courage and loyalty that he had--just a few hours before--boasted about? Peter, who said, “I don’t care if everyone leaves You, I will not. You can count on me!” Peter, who, when Jesus told him that that very night he would deny Him, adamantly declared that HE WOULD NOT. Now, this same Peter, in the hour of danger, is proving himself a coward. However, because he is eager to hear the outcome of the trial, he hangs around.
In the center of the court a fire has been built. The servants of the high priest and the soldiers, who had been engaged in arresting Jesus, are gathered around it. Peter creeps up to the group, wanting to hear their conversation, wanting to share the warmth of the fire. He is eager to gather news of Jesus, and this, he figures would be the best way. He will just remain anonymous. But the young girl who had been the attendee at the gate, noticing that Peter had not followed Jesus into the judgment hall as John had done, whispers to a fellow maid. “That’s one of His disciples. I saw him come in with the others.”
The second maid, more bold than her mate, goes up to Peter and says, “You were with Jesus, the Galilean?” There is a half-question in her statement.
Peter is thrown off guard. His throat in his mouth, he retorts, “I don’t know what you are talking about.” Oh! Oh! This is Peter’s first denial. Now he wants to get away from those about him. He wants to escape their scrutiny. He is feeling hot under the collar, uncomfortable. But where should he go? He dare not leave the palace. That would really be an acknowledgment of the accusation. But another reason is, he doesn’t want to miss out on any news that might be filtering through, about Jesus. So he goes to the arched entrance, thinking that there he might be able to glean information, unnoticed. But instead, things get hotter. The porter girl, who loves this juicy gossip, turns to those around her, “This man,” she says, pointing her finger at Peter, “He was also with Jesus of Nazareth.” There is scorn in her voice.
At the maid’s words Peter becomes agitated. This time he not only denies it, he swears at the girl. “I don’t even know Him,” he hollers. His second denial. He forgets to remain calm, and his heated denial gives him away. Collecting his composure, he returns to the fire. Now, to divert suspicion, he joins in the conversation, asking questions of the rest, and expressing opinions, pretending he is one of them. But this only makes matters worse. His Galilean accent is a dead give-away.
The red glow of the fire throws its weird light on the bearded faces gathered around it. As Peter joins the others discussing the trial, the men lean in closer to get a better look at this pretender. Soon the questions start flying: “Aren’t you one of HIS disciples?” “Yes! I saw you there!” “For sure, you are one of them. You talk like a Galilean.” And then the real incriminating proof pops up. A relative of Malchus, the servant whose ear Peter had cut off speaks up. “Yes, yes” he said. “I saw him in the garden.” Turning to Peter, he asks, “Aren’t you the one with the sword who cut off my kinsman’s ear?”
Peter is now thoroughly frightened. He begins to curse and swear. Now comes his third denial: “You are all mistaken,” he cries. “I have never laid eyes on that Man until tonight. I don’t know anything about Him.” But his statement only makes matters worse. His accusers notice his fears, confirming their accusations.
Just then their attention is distracted from Peter. People begin to push their way out of the judgment hall. The hasty trial is over. The Prisoner, bound and conducted by guards, is led across the court to the guardhouse. This is where the cruel mockery and insults will take place in a few minutes. As the group passes Peter, Jesus turns and looks at him. He does not say a word. He just looks.
And now the rooster crows, loud and distinct. That, along with the look Jesus has just given Peter, triggers his memory of his Lord’s statement earlier that evening, when Peter declared that he would never deny his Lord. “Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny Me thrice.” And now, in a flash, Peter connects the rooster’s crow with Jesus’ look. It is not a look of accusation, or of anger, only of grief, and love, and pity. And then Peter remembers other words of his Lord: “Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have thee, that he may sift thee as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”
© Helen Dowd
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