Subject: The Interrogation of the Lord Jesus Christ II
INTRODUCTION
1. The actual High Priest was called Caiaphas
2. The former high priest was called Annas
a) He was the father-in-law of Caiaphas
b) He was still regarded as “high priest”
c) The Lord Jesus was first brought to Annas John 18:13
INTERROGATION OF THE LORD JESUS BY THE HIGH PRIEST ANNAS
19 The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.
20 Jesus answered him, “I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing. 21 Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.”
22 And when He had said these things, one of the officers who stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, “Do You answer the high priest like that?”
23 Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”
24 Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
John 18:19-24
1. It was Annas who interrogated the Lord Jesus
a) He wanted to know who His Disciples were
(They would hunt for them later)
b) He wanted to know His doctrine
(To try and refute Him later)
2. The reply of the Lord Jesus
a) He refused to answer the High Priest Annas
b) He said:
i) I spoke openly to the world
ii) I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet, and in secret I have said nothing.
iii) Why do you ask Me?
iv) Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” John 18:20-21
3. The anger and hostility of one of the officers of the High Priest
a) He struck the Lord Jesus
b) He felt that no one should speak to the High Priest in this manner
4. The response of the Lord Jesus to this officer
a) If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil;
b) But if well, why do you strike Me?
c) The officer had no right to abuse his authority in this manner
5. The decision of Annas the High Priest
a) He knew the Lord Jesus would speak to Him
b) He sent the Lord Jesus to Caiaphas
c) He made sure the Lord was bound (lest He attempted escape)
PETER IN THE COURTYARD OF THE HIGH PRIEST
25 Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”
He denied it and said, “I am not!”
26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” 27 Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.
John 18:19-26
1. Peter was harassed by two other individuals
2. One insisted that Peter was one of the Disciples of the Lord Jesus
Peter denied the Lord a second time!
3. Another insisted that Peter was in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Lord
Peter denied the Lord Jesus a third time
4. The cockerel then crowed after the third denial John 18:27
THE STARK CONTRAST
1. The Lord Jesus under interrogation
a) Cool
b) Calm
c) Collected
2. Peter was “interrogated” in a different way
a) He denied three times over
b) His strength and character buckled under the strain
3. Recalling an earlier conversation between the Lord and Peter
36 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, where are You going?”
Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward.”
37 Peter said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow You now? I will lay down my life for Your sake.”
38 Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for My sake? Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times.