Denials In The Courtyard

AFTER abandoning Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and fleeing in fear with the rest of the apostles, Peter and John stop in their flight. Perhaps they catch up with Jesus when is is being taken to the home of Annas. When Annas sends him over to High Priest Caiaphas, Peter and John follow at a good distance, apparently torn between fear for their own lives and their deep concern as to what will happen to their Master. Arriving at Caiaphas' spacious residence, John is able to gain entrance into the courtyard, since he is known to the high priest. Peter, however, is left standing outside at the door. But soon John returns and speaks to the doorkeeper, a servant girl, and Peter is permitted to enter.

By now it is cold, and the house attendants and the officers of the high priest have built a charcoal fire. Peter joins them to keep warm while awaiting the outcome of Jesus' trial. There, in the light of the bright fire, the doorkeeper who had let Peter in gets a better look at him. "You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean!" She exclaims. Upset at being identified, Peter denies before all of them ever knowing Jesus. "Neither do I know him nor do I understand what you are saying." He says. At that, Peter goes out near the gateway. There, another girl notices him and also says to those standing by: "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." Once more Peter denies it, swearing: "I do not know the man!"

Peter remains in the courtyard, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. Perhaps at this point he is startled by the crowing of a cock in the early morning darkness. In the meantime Jesus' trial is in progress, evidently being conducted in a part of the house above the courtyard. No doubt Peter and the others waiting below see the comings and goings of various witnesses that are brought into testify.

Next time: Conclusion of Denials In The Courtyard

The Greatest Man Who Ever Lived, 1991