John 18:15-18 15And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and another disciple. And that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16but Peter stood outside at the door. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. 17The servant girl doorkeeper said to Peter, “Are you also are not one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” 18Now the servants and soldiers were standing around, having made a charcoal fire, because it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.
The story line focuses in next on Peter and an unnamed disciple. Both characters have interesting details noted about them. The other disciple is not named in the story. Traditionally, he has been identified with the beloved disciple, the Apostle John, who wrote the Gospel. The text simply notes that he was known by the high priest, which is repeated twice for emphasis. This disciple was in a privileged position to at least go into the inner courtyard, though likely not into the place where Jesus was interrogated. Questions have been raised about how a fisherman from Galilee like John could have been known by the high priest. There were some prominent Jewish leaders who appeared to believe in Jesus, such as Nicodemus, but with no name given, it is impossible to determine who this disciple was. Another significant insight about this disciple is that he entered with Jesus. He did not abandon Jesus but followed him inside, or at least as far as he could go.
The story focuses on Peter. Peter was reluctant to enter the courtyard. No reason is given, but two possibilities could be suggested. He either was not allowed to go in because he was an outsider, or he was afraid to go in. For the first option, he needed the assistance of the other disciple who had insides with the high priest. For the second, Peter had some courage even to follow the soldiers that far, but there may have been a growing fear within him that only took a servant girl to nudge to expression.
It is odd that a servant girl was put in charge of watching the door for such a significant event as the arrest of a popular prophet who had caused such a stir in the city. The bravery of Peter just a short time before, shown by cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant, is now ironically countered by a servant girl watching the door. her question seemed innocent, but she was doing her duty to watch the door. She wanted to know Peter’s identity and recognized something about him.
Peter’s denial was simply stated and quick, just two words in the Greek. He could get these words out quickly and hope no one would notice. Verse 18 indicates that people were listening in. It was night, dark and cold, so the officers made a fire. Darkness and light have symbolic meanings in John’s Gospel. Peter was near the fire, warming himself, but his heart was descending into darkness. The cold came with darkness. What was happening in Peter’s heart and mind? Was he hoping to somehow be in both worlds? The darkness was pulling him in.
The reader should not be surprised by Peter’s first denial because Jesus had already predicted it. However, in the wider view of the story, we should be shocked that one of the closest disciples to Jesus turned his back away when the smallest pressure came. The world and its darkness can pull even the strongest disciple away. The promised Helper would later bring Peter assurance and courage that would lead the early church forward into mission.
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