13 and led Him to Annas first ; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas , who was high priest that year . 14 Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was expedient for one man to die on behalf of the people .
15 Simon Peter was following Jesus , and so was another disciple . Now that disciple was known to the high priest , and entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest , 16 but Peter was standing at the door outside . So the other disciple , who was known to the high priest , went out and spoke to the doorkeeper , and brought Peter in. 17 Then the slave-girl who kept the door said to Peter , " You are not also one of this man's disciples , are you?" He said , "I am not." 18 Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire , for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about His disciples , and about His teaching . 20 Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world ; I always taught in synagogues and in the temple , where all the Jews come together ; and I spoke nothing in secret . 21 "Why do you question Me? Question those who have heard what I spoke to them; they know what I said ." 22 When He had said this , one of the officers standing nearby struck e Jesus , saying , "Is that the way You answer the high priest ?" 23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken wrongly , testify of the wrong ; but if rightly , why do you strike Me?" 24 So Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest .
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, " You are not also one of His disciples , are you?" He denied it, and said , "I am not." 26 One of the slaves of the high priest , being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off , said , "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" 27 Peter then denied it again , and immediately a rooster crowed .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on John 18:13-27
Commentary on John 18:13-27
(Read John 18:13-27)
Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. They said nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done so much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of Christ, whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their eyes against it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine of Christ may safely appeal to all that know it, and those who judge in truth bear witness to it. Our resentment of injuries must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him the injury, and so may we.