^a58 But {^d15 And} Simon Peter followed Jesus [leaving Jesus in the palace of the high priest, we now turn back to the garden of Gethsemane at the time when Jesus left it under arrest, that we may follow the course of Simon Peter in his threefold denial of the Master], and so did another disciple. [This other disciple was evidently the apostle John, who thus speaks of himself impersonally.] Now that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest [John's acquaintanceship appears to have been with the household as well as with the high priest personally, for we find that it is used as a permit at the doorway. It is likely that the high priest knew John rather in a business way--Acts iv. 13];   ^b54 And Peter had followed him afar off, ^aunto the court of the high priest,   ^d16 but Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. ^beven within, into the court of the high priest [For courts of houses see p. 182. It is still customary to have female porters at the houses of the great and rich. See Acts xii. 13. John would have shown a truer kindness to Peter had he let him stay out];   ^d17 The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. ^aand [Peter] entered in [The doorkeeper evidently recognized John as a disciple, and was therefore suspicious of Peter. The cowardly "I am not" of Peter is a sad contrast to the strong "I am he" of Jesus], [700]   ^d18 Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves: and Peter also was with them [they were gathered around a little smokeless charcoal fire],   ^c55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter ^asat with the officers, ^cin the midst of them. ^ato see the end. [Though his faith in Christ was shaken, he still loved him enough to see what would become of him.] ^band he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself in the light of the fire.   ^c56 And   ^a69 Now ^bas ^dSimon Peter ^awas sitting {^dstanding} ^awithout ^bbeneath in the court, there cometh {^acame} unto him, ^ca certain ^bone of the maids of the high priest;   67 and seeing Peter ^cas he sat in the light of the fire, ^bwarming himself, she looked {^cand looking} stedfastly upon him, said, {^bsaith, ^asaying,} Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilaean. ^bthe Nazarene, even Jesus. ^cThis man also was with him.   ^a70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. ^bI neither know, nor understand what thou sayest: ^cWoman, I know him not. ^dThey said therefore unto him, Art thou also one of his disciples? He denied, and said, I am not. ^band he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.   ^a71 And when he was gone out into the porch, ^cafter a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.   ^b69 And ^aanother ^bthe maid saw him, and began again to say {^asaith} unto them that were there, ^bthat stood by, This is one of them. ^aThis man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.   ^b70 But {^a72 And} again he denied ^bit. ^awith an oath, I know not the man. [Peter's second denial was of a quadruple nature. He denied to four different parties, but in such quick succession that the event is regarded as one.]   73 And after a little ^cafter the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a [701] truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilaean.   60 But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. ^bAgain they that stood by ^acame and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; ^bfor thou art a Galilaean. ^afor thy speech maketh thee known. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.   ^d26 One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?   ^b70 But   ^d27 Peter therefore denied again:   ^a74 Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the {^bthis} ^aman. ^bof whom ye speak.   72 And straightway ^cimmediately, while he yet spake, ^bthe second time the cock crew. [Exasperated by the repeated accusations, Peter loses his temper and begins to emphasize his denial by profanity. Desire to make good his denial is now supreme in his thoughts and the Lord whom he denies is all but forgotten.]   ^c61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered ^bAnd Peter called to mind the word, ^cof the Lord, ^awhich Jesus had said, ^bhow that he said unto him, ^aBefore the cock crow, ^btwice, ^cthis thou shalt deny me thrice.   62 And he went out, ^bAnd when he thought thereon, he wept. ^cbitterly. [When Peter remembered the loving tenderness of Jesus manifested when he foretold Peter's crime it formed a background against which the sin appeared in all its hideous enormity.]

[FFG 700-702]