The Passage
John 18:12-27
12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews[d] arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants[e] and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
Word Work
Personalize the meaning. Respond as God speaks to you through the Scriptures. Ask: How could my life be different today as I respond towhat I’m reading?
Word Thoughts:
Peter’s words of denial, “I am not,” are the tragic counterpoint of Jesus’ words of affirmation, “I am” (v. 6). But even as the rooster was crowing, Jesus was still loving Peter “to the end” (13:1). Our sins do not separate us from the love of Jesus; Jesus separates us from the love of our sin, and from sin’s guilt and power. Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus will be answered, in time, by Jesus’ threefold restoration of Peter (21:15–19).
Peter’s words of denial, “I am not,” are the tragic counterpoint of Jesus’ words of affirmation, “I am” (v. 6). But even as the rooster was crowing, Jesus was still loving Peter “to the end” (13:1). Our sins do not separate us from the love of Jesus; Jesus separates us from the love of our sin, and from sin’s guilt and power. Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus will be answered, in time, by Jesus’ threefold restoration of Peter (21:15–19). (1)
Word Reflection:
- What stood out?
- Why do you think Peter denied Jesus?
- Do you think Jesus is done with Peter forever?
- How can we have hope even when we reject Jesus?
Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
End in Prayer
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