Joh 18:11, 12  "So Jesus said to Peter, "Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me? So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him." 

Jesus calmed down the disciples and went away with the gang of outlaws. They were disguised as upright, distinguished, law abiding and godly men. Yet they were jealous murderers. 

Jesus named them white washed tombs. Beware of religious pride and self righteousness!


Mat 23:23 - 31  "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.You blind guides, straining out a gnat and swallowing a camel! "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness. "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous,  saying, 'If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets. Thus you witness against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets." 

In the face of religious pressure is the desire to be accepted. The fear of rejection and the reaction of the flesh to self preservation is against those not ready to stand fast in the face of testing. Peter learned this difficult lesson as a part of the training Jesus intended for him. 

Joh 18:13 - 17 "First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people. Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the court of the high priest, but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.  The servant girl at the door said to Peter, "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?" He said, "I am not." 

Jesus was open, honest and forthright. There were no secrets or reasons for condemnation. He was completely innocent. The perfect Lamb of God. 

Joh 18:18 - 20  "Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. Jesus answered him, "I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret." 

Isa 53:3  "He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not."

Joh 18:21 - 23 "Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said. When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, "Is that how you answer the high priest? Jesus answered him, "If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?" 


Again and Again ...

Joh 18:24. 25  "Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.  Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You also are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it and said, "I am not." 


... and Again Peter denied His relationship to Jesus. Preparation for the ministry that Jesus would give him. 

Even our failings are in the will of God, preparing us and giving us the grace that enables us to fully rely on Jesus as our source of power, determination and purpose.


Joh 18:26, 27  "One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him? Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed." 

In an attempt to not be defiled they unwittingly were to condemn the true Lamb of God! They condemned themselves by their blindness to their rejection of the One who instituted the Passover when He passed over the oppressed slaves in Egypt passing judgement on the Egyptians. He was Yahweh, the judge of all things and of everyone. 

Joh 18:28  "Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover."