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Subject: "Christ Before tho High Priest,S
John xviii., 15-27-Golden Text: John
t., IL - Commentary ON tho Days

Subject: "Christ Before tho High Priest,.'
John xviii., 15-27-Golden Text: John
j., IL - Commentary ON tho Days
Lesson.
Is. "Peter followed Jesus" He followed
afar of (Matt. 20: 5S), and was, therefore,
In far more danger OF denying hls, Lord
than he would have been II he had been
more courageous and kept closer to Him.
"Another disciple" John, who went with
known unto the high priest" and, there
fore, probably was acquainted with the
palace and knew the servants. 1.-THE
palace" The court Of the palace.
16. "But Peter stood (was standing) at
the door," The wicket gate, having In
some wny been shut. Having once struck
the high priests servant, he must have
felt 1t dangerous to keep too close to the
retlnue, who went In by the main entrance.
'The other disciple. brought In Peter"
He helped his intimate friend, leading him,
indeed, into temptation-unconsc ciously,
for he himself seems to have suffered no
temptation from the servants-but also
leading him near to Christ, who could save
him In temptation. And, doubtless. Peter
would have been tempted In some equally
and he would have been beyond the reach
OF the eye Of the Saviour who brought him
to repentance.
II. Art not thou also one Of this mans
disciples?" The R. Y. leaves out the not.
Peter may have been seen before by this
maid; he was unfamiliar with the place,
and had the shyness Of e. plain man inside
OF a great house, and besides was con-
scious OF his danger OF being recognized,
for his marked features must have been
clearly seen in his attack upon Malchus.
"He saith, an not" This was both false
hood and treason to his Master and the
new kingdom. John had left him, no
doubt, hurrying away across the court into
the hall where Jesus was, to witness the
proceedings, so that Peter did not have the
assistance OF his presence. He could not
have, denied Christ with John by bis side.
Then he had gone among the persons
gathered around the open brazler Of char
coal (v. 1s), "for 1t was cold" and here he
was standing among them, "and warmed
himself" It Is more than probable that
the air was ringing with jest and laughter
about Jesus, but Peter did not interrupt; he
Kept silence and tried to look as like one OF
dangerous when follower OF Christ Is
sitting among Christ's enemies without
letting It be known what he Is.
1s. 1.-The high priest" Annas. Jesus was
led first to Annas because he was still the
legitimate high priest. Annas appears to
have possessed vast influence, In 80 much
that five OF his sons became high priests,
and his son-in..aw, Calaphas, was now the
acting high priest appointed by the Ro-
mans. "The high priest then asked Jesus
OF His disciples, and OF His doctrine" his
teaching. This inquiry probably had two
objects; one was to entrap Jesus into say.
ing something which could be twisted into
charge Of blasphemy; the other was that
It allowed time for the Sanhedrlm to be
summoned. '
20. "Jesus answered him, spake
openly" etc. There was nothing in His
teaching to be concealed. The high priest
They seek to wiring from Christ evidence
upon which to convict Him. 1t was con-
trary to the law and the spirit OF Justice.
81. "Why askest thou Me?" Jesus re-
fused 10 be party to this Injustice. Let
them find the witnesses, for there were
plenty Of them. This would have put an
end to this unjust and illegal condemnation
and brought out the truth, which the
rulers did not want. The cunning OF the
high priest was foiled.
%. "One OF the officers. :, struck Jesus
with the palm Of his hand" R. ", with
his hand: but whether slap on the face,
box on the ear, or stroke with rod,
cannot be determined. In either case 1t
was an insult and outrage.
%. "If I have spoken evil" In manner
or matter, in the remark just made. Jesus
precept In Matt. 5: SO. Jesus had simply
claimed the common rights OF all men.
''But II we'll. why smittest thou ,Me?" The
primary sense OF the word translated
smite is, to skin, to nav. It3s perhaps safe
to infer from the Saviour's use OF this
word that the ofacer's blow was severe
one.
The R. v. Is bore probably correct; 'Annas,
therefore, sent Him bound on Caiaphas.
Thus far the investigation had been un-
official, or private, and the result OF It was
scarcely favorable to the design OF the
accusers. Meantime, the prisoner had
been relieved OF His letters. Caiaphas, as
the real high priest, was president OF the
Ssnhedrlm, who had had time to assemble.
But the trial was irregular because 1t was
against their law to try any one by night.
The charge was blasphemy, the penalty
for which was death, according to Jewish
law, Having formulated their charge,
they must adjourn till dawn to bring the
case before the Sanhedrlm at regular
meeting, at their own hall OF meeting.
When the preliminary examination was
through, and the informal meeting had
adjourned, there was period OF waiting
for at least two hours before the formal
meeing OF the Sanhedrim could take place.
During this interval Jesus was insulted,
and struck, and shamefully treated by the
crowd.
Is. "simon Peter stood" or was stand
ing and warming himself, as We saw
above. To understand this scene we must
put all the narratives together, remember.
ing that probably Peter was beset and
worried by a crowd OF menials. "He
denied" Here again was simple denial
with mora nositiyenesa
26. zone OF the servants" About an
hour later duke %: 59). "Being his
kinsman whose ear Peter cut off," This
statement gives one reason why Peter now
denied with so much greater vehemence.
27. "Peter then denied again." SO John,
his friend, simply records; but Mark,
whose Gospel Is supposed to have been de-
rived from Peter, says that he began to
curse and to swear. "And Immediately
the cock crew." Or better, as the Greek
has no article, "a cock crew." This was
the sign which Jesus had given to Peter
John 13: $50, the second cock growing
called usually the cock growing. Then 1t
was that the Lord turned and looked on
Like On arrow through his inmost soul
shot the mute anguish Of that reproachful
glance. Then Peter saw himself as he was.
He looked into the abyss into which he had
almost fallen, and recovered himself. He
went out and wept bitterly (Luke o. 62).
Flinglng the fold Of his mantle over his
head, he, too, like Judas, rushed forth into
the night. How Christ restored Peter Is
recorded In the last chapter OF John.