Chapter 8—In the Judgment Hall
The armed band, with their prisoner, threaded the dark and narrow
streets, guided by torches and lanterns, for it was yet early morning and
very dark. Amid insult and mockery, the Saviour was hurried to the
palace of the officiating high priest, Caiaphas. Here he was coarsely
accused by his persecutors, and sneeringly questioned by the priest,
and reviled by the whole assembly. But while enduring this mockery
of an examination, the Saviour’s heart was pierced by a keener pang
than it was in the power of his enemies to inflict. It was when he heard
his beloved disciple deny him with cursing and swearing.
After deserting their Master in the garden, two of the disciples
regained their presence of mind and ventured to follow, at a distance,
the mob that had Jesus in charge. These disciples were Peter and
John. The priest recognized John as a well-known disciple of Jesus,
and admitted him to the hall where the Saviour was being questioned
because he hoped that John, while witnessing the humiliation of his
leader, would become affected with the same spirit that actuated his
enemies, and scorn the idea of one who could be subjected to such
indignities, being the Son of God. John, having secured himself an
entrance, spoke in behalf of his companion, Peter, and gained the same
favor for him.
The coldest hour of the night was that preceding the dawn, and a
fire had been lighted in the hall. Around this a company were gathered;
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and Peter presumptuously took his place with the rest by the fire, and
stood warming himself. He did not wish to be recognized as one of
the disciples of Jesus, and he thought by mingling carelessly with the
people he would be taken for one of those who had brought Jesus to
the hall.
But, as the light flashed upon Peter’s countenance, the woman who
kept the door cast a searching glance upon him; she had noticed that
he came in with John, and conjectured that he was one of Christ’s
followers. She interrogated him in a taunting manner: “Art not thou
also one of this man’s disciples?” Peter was startled and confused; the
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