Before Annas and the Court of Caiaphas
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to answer, and said angrily, “Woman, I know Him not.” This was the
first denial, and immediately the cock crew. O Peter, so soon ashamed
of thy Master! so soon to deny thy Lord!
The disciple John, upon entering the judgment hall, did not try to
conceal the fact that he was a follower of Jesus. He did not mingle
with the rough company who were reviling his Master. He was not
questioned, for he did not assume a false character, and thus lay himself
liable to suspicion. He sought a retired corner secure from the notice
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of the mob, but as near Jesus as it was possible for him to be. Here he
could see and hear all that took place at the trial of his Lord.
Peter had not designed that his real character should be known. In
assuming an air of indifference he had placed himself on the enemy’s
ground, and he became an easy prey to temptation. If he had been
called to fight for his Master, he would have been a courageous soldier;
but when the finger of scorn was pointed at him, he proved himself a
coward. Many who do not shrink from active warfare for their Lord are
driven by ridicule to deny their faith. By associating with those whom
they should avoid, they place themselves in the way of temptation.
They invite the enemy to tempt them, and are led to say and do that of
which under other circumstances they would never have been guilty.
The disciple of Christ who in our day disguises his faith through dread
of suffering or reproach denies his Lord as really as did Peter in the
judgment hall.
Peter tried to show no interest in the trial of his Master, but his
heart was wrung with sorrow as he heard the cruel taunts, and saw the
abuse He was suffering. More than this, he was surprised and angry
that Jesus should humiliate Himself and His followers by submitting
to such treatment. In order to conceal his true feelings, he endeavored
to join with the persecutors of Jesus in their untimely jests. But his
appearance was unnatural. He was acting a lie, and while seeking to
talk unconcernedly he could not restrain expressions of indignation at
the abuse heaped upon his Master.
Attention was called to him the second time, and he was again
charged with being a follower of Jesus. He now declared with an oath,
“I do not know the Man.” Still another opportunity was given him. An
hour had passed, when one of the servants of the high priest, being
a near kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked him,
“Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?” “Surely thou art one