BIBLE STUDY LESSON 10

SERIES T --- THE ADONAI OF LIFE

PETER’S DENIAL

THE TRIAL OF YESHUA

From Matthew 26:57-27:2, Mark 14:53-15:2; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:12-27

When the soldiers and officers arrested Yeshua, they bound Him and led Him to Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. Caiaphas had told the other leaders that one man should die for all the people. After the mob had brought Yeshua before Annas, he began to question Yeshua about His disciples and His teachings. [I have taught publicly in the synagogues and temple,] Yeshua replied. [The Jewish leaders have all heard Me speak the same things that I have told My followers privately. Why ask Me this question? Ask some of the people with you now, for they heard Me and know what I have taught.] An officer nearby struck Yeshua in the face. [Is this the way to answer the high priest?] he said. [Have I spoken evil?] Yeshua asked the officer. [If so, tell Me what it is. If not, why are you striking Me?] Dawn had still not come when they led Him bound from the house of Annas to the house of Caiaphas, where the chief priests, elders and scribes had gathered. Peter followed at a distance. The chief priests and members of the council known as the Sanhedrin tried to find something that would justify condemning Yeshua to death, but could not. A number of people were witnessing falsely against Him, but their testimony did not agree among themselves. Some men said that He had claimed that He would tear down the temple made with hands and rebuild it in three days without hands. But they could not agree on what they said. [Why don’t You answer this charge against You?] the high priest, Caiaphas, said. But Yeshua remained silent. [Are You the Moshiach, YHVH’s Son?] Caiaphas asked. [Yes, and you will see Me sitting at YHVH’s right hand, and then returning to earth among the clouds of heaven,] Yeshua replied. The high priest tore his clothes. [Why do we need witnesses?] he said. [You have heard His blasphemy yourselves. What do you say?] The council then voted unanimously to put Yeshua to death. Some members spit at Him and blindfolded Him and hit Him with their fists. [Prophesy!] they mocked. [Tell us who hit You!] Meanwhile, Peter and another disciple had followed Yeshua to the high priest’s home. This other disciple knew the high priest, so he was admitted to the courtyard with Yeshua, while Peter stayed outside. The other disciple spoke to the young woman in charge of the gate, who let Peter come in. [Are you not one of His disciples?] she asked Peter. [I am not!] Peter answered. Then he joined the slaves and officers who had made a charcoal fire to warm themselves, for it was cold. While Peter was warming himself by the fire another young woman stared at him, then said, [You were with Yeshua the Galilean.] But Peter answered, [I do not know Him.] About an hour later another person, a relative of Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off, saw him. [Didn’t I see you in the garden with Yeshua?] he asked. Then some others around the fire said they were sure that he was a Galilean, for that was clear by the way he talked. [I do not know what you are talking about,] Peter answered, cursing and swearing. Immediately the rooster crowed, and Yeshua at that moment looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered what He had said, [Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.] Peter rushed out of the courtyard and wept bitterly. At daybreak the council formally assembled to judge Yeshua, leading Him to their council chambers. [Tell us if You are the Moshiach,] they said. [You would not believe Me if I did,] Yeshua replied. [And if I ask you a question, you will not answer. But from now on, I will sit at the right hand of YHVH.] [You do claim to be YHVH’s Son!] they responded. [Yes, I do,] Yeshua answered. [Then why do we need any more testimony? We have heard what He has said with His own mouth,] they stated.

COMMENTARY

EVENTS IN CALAPHAS’ HOUSE

Lighting the way with flaming torches, the guards who arrested Yeshua presented their prisoner before the high priest. Although it was past midnight, many members of the Sanhedrin had already arrived at the house of Caiaphas. As soon as the word went out that the prisoner had been arrested, they came at once to take part in the trial. They knew that it was illegal to hold court during the middle of the night. Not only did their Laws forbid them to conduct a trial outside of their temple courtroom, they also prohibited trials on the Passover. Both Caiaphas and his supporters in the Sanhedrin hated Yeshua so much that they were willing to break their own Laws in order to condemn Him. Although Caiaphas’ large house was luxurious, no one seemed to care on this night. All were intent on the prisoner and His answers. Men who had once fought fiercely among themselves were now united in their desire to see Yeshua put to death. No one whispered about how Caiaphas used his position as high priest to gain more wealth for himself. They seemed to forget their old disputes in their hatred for Yeshua. None of the elders noticed the two Galilean fishermen who had joined the crowd gathered in the courtyard. Only a few hours before they had been with Yeshua in an Upper Room nearby. Although they ran away when the soldiers arrested Yeshua, Peter and John recovered from their fright and followed Him to Caiaphas’ house. A roar went up in the courtyard when the high priest declared the prisoner guilty of blasphemy. The Sanhedrin condemned Yeshua to death as the penalty for making Himself equal with YHVH. Because they did not have the authority to execute Him, Caiaphas ordered the guards to take the prisoner to Pilate to be officially sentenced.