John chapter 18

vs 11

Is Peter going to stop all these soldiers anyway? On his own? An argument for the "Peter, master swordsman" school I guess.

But the point is that Jesus is going to let them take him. He's going to do what God has given him to do obediently. But it will also mean that those who do it to him are fully complicit.

vs 12-13

The historical narrative comes into play now. Jesus is arrested, and taken to Annas. I don't really understand why he was taken to Annas instead of Ciaphas. Some cultural thing?

vs 14

As we read earlier, after the raising of Lazarus.

vs 15

No we start on the descriptions of Peter's denials. The focus goes off Jesus, and onto two of his disciples - Peter, and probably John. Apparently, John knew the high priest, which is an interesting turn for the books, isn't it? So he was able to follow Jesus right into the courtyard.

vs 16-17

Peter is left outside until John comes and gets him. And Peter makes his first denial about Jesus right in front of another disciple! I mean, omg! I had never noticed that. Now, I've always thought of Peter as just lying to save his ass in these denials. But can it be that, perhaps after the rebuke of Jesus with the whole sword incident, and the fact that his master has been captured by the fuzz, Peter is now disillusioned, and he has actually disowned Jesus? He's just watching with dulled interest as to what his fate will be? I don't know, that is speculation. But to me, it is changed to know that he made his denial in front of another disciple.

vs 18

Or perhaps Peter was just cold, and wanted to stand next to the fire. This kind of detail really tells you that someone was there to see it. I mean, there is very little gospel truth in this verse. Why is it recorded for us? So that we have some sort of allegorical story about selling out to the world? Or just because it happened, and it shows that it's an eye witness account.

vs 19

Ok, back to Jesus. While Peter is warming himself by the fires of the officials who are going to kill his Lord, Jesus is being grilled by the high priest. I think I'm safe in assuming he's still bound up as a prisoner. Interesting that he was being question about his disciples, as well as his teaching. So the plan was obviously to try and round up some disciples too.

vs 20

But Jesus isn't going to gratify this prick with a response. Jesus has told everyone who he is, what he's teaching, and why it's important to listen to him. He's done it not just in the bush or amongst the 12 - he's done it in synagogues, at the temple, and wherever good Jews are congregated. If you didn't know what Jesus was saying, you must have been on mars, under a rock, with a bag over your head and your fingers in your ears. And yes, that included some stuff about how the Pharisees are hypocrites and how outward worship was not enough for God. Nothing new in that - the OT and the prophets had given both messages (not about Pharisees particularly of course) at one stage or another. But then, the prophets were all pretty much killde by their own people too. So everything seems to be going according to plan!