Jesus' Glory and Peter's Failure
A. What Peter saw from afar
1) Jesus did not defend himself against false testimony (53-61a)
They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire. The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree. Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: "We heard him say, `I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'" Yet even then their testimony did not agree. Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. (53-61a)
2) The words that sealed Jesus' death sentence (61b-65)
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him. (61b-65)
B. Peter comes face to face with his own weakness
1) He continued to deny his relationship Jesus (66-71)
While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about." (66-71)
2) Everything became clear at the rooster's crow (72)
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept. (72)
Summary
If Jesus had remained silent at the questions he was asked (as he had been while listening to others' false testimony about him), the religious leaders would not have been able to put him to death. Because he answered that he was the savior, he was accused of blasphemy. Peter--a disciple who boldly declared his allegiance to Jesus--was quick to deny him in order to avoid being arrested, just as Jesus had predicted. Peter became painfully aware of his own weakness. God entrusted the beginning of his church to someone with a true awareness of his own weakness, perhaps more than anyone else.
For Discussion
1) Why did Peter decide to follow Jesus from a distance instead of running far away?
2) How do you think Peter felt as he repeatedly denied Jesus?