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Commentaries
English
John
  
2. Jesus questioned before Annas and Peter's threefold denial
(John 18:15–21)
15Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. As this disciple was known to the high priest, he entered the court of the high priest along with Jesus,16while Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the maid who kept the door, and brought Peter in.17The maid who kept the door said to Peter, "Are not you also one of his main disciples?" He said, "I am not."18Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves; Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.


John and Peter followed Jesus by night at a distance. Since John was related to the High Priest, he was able to enter into the court of the priests freely. Peter was unable to do so, because the door was guarded by servants.
John felt the turmoil in Peter’s heart, standing in the darkness by the door. Wanting to help him, John spoke for him with the maid keeping the door. She was not wholly convinced and queried Peter, "Are you not also one of that person’s disciple?" He replied, "Not I", and he behaved as if he knew nothing, and had no part in the matter, after which he tried to warm himself by the fire, as it was cold.