John 18:12-27 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is John 18:12-27. I encourage you to read the passage yourself first and see what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help, then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
John 18:12-13 (NIV)
12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him
13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year.
On verses 12-13: You could call Annas the godfather of high priests. From AD 6 to AD 15 Annas was high priest of Israel. When Annas was deposed by the Roman governor Valerius Gratus at that time (Pilate’s predecessor), many still considered Annas to be their high priest. Annas also had five sons who would each hold the office of high priest after Annas. At this time Annas’ son-in-law Caiaphas was the acting high priest. So Annas had enormous influence in Israel at this time.
It is before this Annas that Jesus appears. Little did Annas know that despite all of Annas’ history as Israel’s high priest, the true great high priest was standing before him. As further irony, here we have Jesus, the one truly free person, bound so that he could set us, slaves to sin, free. Jesus was bound to set us free.
John 18:14 (NIV)
14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people.
On verse 14: Caiaphas made this statement, which John considers to be prophetic, in John 11:49-52.
John 18:15-16 (NIV)
15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,
16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
On verses 15-16: Who was the other disciple who was with Peter? Probably John himself. I think there is a lesson to be learned from the fact that this other disciple “was known to the high priest” (v15) and thus was able to go with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, whereas Peter who did not know anyone “had to wait outside the door” (v16). In the kingdom of God, it’s not what you know but who you know that enables you to enter the courts of the Lord.
John 18:17 (NIV)
17 “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
On verse 17: Here for the first time Peter denies being a disciple of Jesus.
John 18:18 (NIV)
18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
On verse 18: While Peter was warming himself physically, he was cooling off spiritually. Who knows? Perhaps if Peter had been with John inside the high priest’s house and closer to Jesus, he would have at once less comfortable and more bold to proclaim his allegiance to Jesus. But because he was a more comfortable distance away from Jesus, he was less bold to admit that he was Jesus’ disciple.
John 18:19-24 (NIV)
19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching.
20 “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus replied. “I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret.
21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said.”
22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. “Is this the way you answer the high priest?” he demanded.
23 “If I said something wrong,” Jesus replied, “testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?”
24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest.
On verses 18-24: I love how Jesus remains cool under pressure. Even after he is unjustly struck in the face, Jesus still continues to be gentle and peaceful in his actions toward those who misunderstood him and abused him. May we be cool under the pressure in a similar way.
John 18:25-27 (NIV)
25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, “You are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
26 One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?”
27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
On verses 25-27: Here Peter, who earlier had said that he would lay down his life for Jesus (John 13:37), folds under pressure and denies Jesus a second time and a third time, just as Jesus had predicted (see John 13:38). Once we sin a first time, it can be that much easier to sin in the same way again and again. It’s a sobering reminder that we should not claim to be more spiritual or faithful than we are, lest we risk humiliating ourselves later on. May we be quicker to acknowledge our weaknesses and boast about Jesus than about ourselves.
It reminds me of Jesus’ words in Luke 14:10-11, where he compares knowing Jesus to going to a banquet: “But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Thank You Jesus for being our true great high priest and for letting Yourself be bound so that I could go free. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
Copyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.
