Subject: The Interrogation of the Lord Jesus Christ I
INTRODUCTION
12 Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him.
13 And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.
14 Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.
16 But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.
17 Then the servant 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 servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, for it was cold, and they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself.
John 18:12-18
THE “TRIAL” OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST
1. The Lord Jesus was brought to two people
a) Annas the former High Priest
b) He was the father-in-law of the current High Priest, Caiaphas
c) Annas continued to dominate the Sanhedrin Council
d) Even though he was not technically the presiding High Priest
2. These meetings were not technically official trials
a) They were meetings that Annas planned
b) They would be his “interrogation” of the Lord Jesus
TWO DISCIPLES FOLLOWED CLOSELY
1. One Disciple was named
a) Peter followed closely (John 18:15a)
b) However, he could not gain entry into the courtyard of Annas/ Caiaphas
2. The other Disciple was not named
a) This was John, who in his humility, did not make reference to his name
b) In his gospel, he preferred not to name himself
i) He simply called himself
“The disciple whom Jesus loved” John 13:23
ii) He described himself as
“The other disciple who was known to the high priest” John 18:16a
3. John brought Peter into the courtyard
a) It was a very cold night
b) John spoke to the servant girl who was the door-keeper
c) Peter was allowed to enter into the courtyard of the high priest (John 18:16b)
THE PROPHETIC WARNING OF THE LORD JESUS CONCERNING PETER
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”
Jesus answered him, “Where Iam going you cannot follow Me now, butyou shall follow Me afterward.”
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall notcrow till you have denied Me three times.
John 13:36-38
1. Peter’s declaration of commitment
a) He would follow the Lord Jesus
b) He would lay down his life for the Lord Jesus
2. The Lord’s admonition
a) He did not mock Peter’s avowal
b) He knew Peter better than himself
c) He predicted that Peter would deny Him three times
THE FIRST DENIAL
1. The servant girl who admitted Peter into the courtyard of the high priest said
“You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” John 18:17b
a) The servant girl did not speak in this manner to John
b) John was known to the High Priest
c) But she queried Peter
2. Peter’s first denial
“I am not.” John 18:17c
3. The words of the Lord Jesus was being fulfilled there and then
LESSONS TO LEARN
1. About Annas and Caiaphas
a) Annas
i) Former High Priest
ii) Father-in-law to Caiaphas
iii) Still seeking to exercise his influence
iv) His presence could not be discounted or set aside
b) Caiaphas
i) He was the presiding High Priest
ii) He deferred to his father-in-law
iii) He was much weaker in influence than Annas
2. John and Peter
a) Both were closest to the Lord Jesus
b) Both followed the Lord Jesus closely
c) This was a traumatic night for all the Disciples
i) Judas had betrayed the Lord Jesus
ii) The other 9 Disciples had fled
iii) Peter and John must have felt absolutely powerless!