Chapter 18

Holy Bible

^{The Religious and Civil Judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ Until the end of chapter seventeen, John the Evangelist records very little about the history of the Lord Jesus Christ. He writes what is necessary to reveal the personality and mission of Christ. However, now, as the hour has come as we have read in the farewell prayer, and as the ordeal of the Cross has approached, Saint John is engaged, as do all the other Evangelists, in relating the details of the events of that week. The disciples and apostles, who were ashamed when the events were taking place, found in those events sweetness, salvation, and glory. They saw in them also a revelation of the great divine sacraments. After reporting the long farewell speech of the Lord Jesus Christ to the disciples, and after presenting the farewell prayer, the Evangelist begins to narrate Christ’s suffering. St John is concerned with relating the circumstances surrounding the suffering of the Lord Christ because they concern our salvation. St. John also mentions what the other three Evangelists have not. 1- He Gives Himself up to the Soldiers (1-9) 2- The Cutting off of Malchus’s Ear (10-12) 3- Before Annas (13-14) 4- Peter’s Denial (15-18) 5- A Dialogue with the High Priest (19-24) 6- Peter’s Twofold Denials (25-27) 7- At the Praetorium (28-32) 8- A Discourse with Pilate (33-40) 1- He Gives Himself up to the Soldiers “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, Where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.” [1] The Lord Jesus Christ prepared His disciples for this hour, through His farewell talks and His farewell prayer, asking that the Father may support them. He also, in the upper room in the presence of His disciples, declared many secrets concerning their salvation and the redemption of the world. Therefore, the time had come for the moments of facing the Cross with inner joy and pleasure in accordance to the pleasure of His good Father. The Evangelist relates to us the story not of the arrest of Jesus Christ, but rather of His giving Himself up to the soldiers to judge Him. He took His disciples and went out to the Passover celebration in full moon. He entered a garden that a friend owned and where He was accustomed to gather His disciples. At that time, the Jewish noblemen had their gardens and places of amusement outside the city on the Mount of Olives. This continues to be an Asian custom. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The hour had come for the leader of our salvation to enter the circle of suffering, to achieve our redemption that He has come to achieve. The last moments of His life here on earth carried consecutive events affecting our entire being. As though the Lord Jesus Christ practiced first His work as teacher guiding His disciples to the divine truth. Then, as priest He pleaded the Father for them. Then, as a sacrifice He gave Himself up and as king He reigned with practical love and self-sacrifice. He opens hearts with His blood and establishes His throne in us. He is the Teacher, Priest, Offering, and King. He chose the garden as grounds for the battle where they capture Him, or rather where He gives Himself up. He did not choose a house in the city, so that no friend or anybody may defend Him and get involved in the battle for His sake. He did not want to be the cause of bloodshed or trouble and embarrassment for the landlord. He also desired the people to take this as an opportunity to go unobstructed with the religious leaders and with soldiers to capture Him. At the garden, it was possible for the disciples to run away without bloodshed because of Him. On the other hand, in the city, some might oppose those coming to arrest Him and this might turn into a battle. He does not ask for human glory, or for defenders. He withdraws so that He may carry the suffering of others. He came to bear the sufferings of men, not that others might bear His sufferings. He, thus, gave us a living example of the loving Christian leader. He does not cause others to carry his trouble or pain. He does not complain, but he bows with his Master to carry the trouble of other people. Finally, His arrest at the garden declares the refusal of the castles of the wealthy and houses of the Jews to shelter Him. He was captured outside the city as one whom the people rejected. ‘Over the Brook Kidron’: the garden of Gethsemane was at the foot of the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. A very narrow valley in which the Brook Kidron runs and separates this hill from the city. The brook was a very small river, six or seven feet wide and was most of the time dry except when it rained. Its name is derived from ‘qaadar’ a Hebrew word meaning ‘black’ because the remains of the offerings and the city garbage were thrown in it. Some think it was a drainage canal rather than a river. To cross over the Brook Kidron was meaningful: First: Psalm 110: 7 is the prophecy of David the prophet about the Messiah. It says, “He shall drink of the brook by the wayside, therefore He shall lift up the head.” The Messiah drank of the brook on His way to His glorious suffering for our salvation. It was described as a ‘black river’ because of the darkness of the valley in which it ran and because of the color of its water because of the dirt thrown in it. Our Christ drank of that water on His way for our redemption and He thus lifted up His head and our heads. Secondly: David the king, and those who were with him, crossed the brook Kidron when he took flight from his son the unruly Absalom. They went up the Mount of Olives as they cried loudly (2 Sam 15: 23, 30). Likewise, when the Jews rejected their King “the Son of David” He withdrew to the Mount of Olives taking the same route as David. The rebellious Jews pursued Him so that He might not rule over their hearts. Thirdly: Some good kings of Judah used to burn and destroy the pagan idols and throw them in that valley. Those kings were, for instance, Asa (2 Chron 15: 16), Hezekiah (2 Chron 30: 14), and Josiah (2 Kings 23: 4, 6). This valley was, thus, full of filth thrown in it. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is without sin, accepted to be sin for our sakes to carry the curse for us all. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The Second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, entered the garden to endure the pains of the Cross. The first Adam’s sin began similarly in the Garden of Eden. In the garden, the curse was announced and in it Adam obtained the promise of a Savior. Therefore, the achievement of salvation began in the garden. In the garden also resurrection took place and man enjoyed divine righteousness. Every time we enter a garden we remember the suffering of the Lord in the garden that He planted so that we might enjoy the fruit of the fulfilling joyful Spirit. He took His disciples with Him because He was accustomed to take them with Him when He withdrew to pray. He did not take them so that they might defend Him, but that they might watch His suffering and endurance for their sakes and so that they might be qualified to share His suffering. He may have desired to reveal to them their weakness so that they may realize they have no salvation without their Savior. The Evangelist speaks about the cup that the Father gives Christ to drink [11], but he does not mention the details of Christ’s suffering in the garden because the other Evangelists write about them. However, the Evangelist shows that everything happened in accordance to a great divine plan and the evil people who acted with all their free will. The road of suffering did not mean defeat or weakness of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is the path of the Son of God to achieve the great plan of salvation for humanity. It is the way of the Cross that grants victory and destroys the rule of darkness. The Evangelist brings out the other aspect of the Lord's pain, it is the way of eternal glory. He shows that the suffering Jesus is in control of the situation so that we may share with Him the same feelings as we partake of His pain and crucifixion in our daily life. * What he relates here concerning the Lord entering the garden with His disciples did not happen immediately after His prayer. However, certain events surely took place and this Evangelist and the other Evangelists write about them. Other events also occurred but were not mentioned by the other Evangelists1. Saint Augustine * Death is an extremely terrible thing. But it is not so to those who learn true wisdom from above. For, whoever does not know the future events and considers death disintegration and an end of life must be really terrified like one who crosses to non-existence. But, whoever learns, by God’s grace, the hidden secret concerns of God’s wisdom and considers death a journey to another place, finds that death is no cause for horror. He is rather happy and rejoices because he will leave the evanescent life to go to a better and more glorious life without end. This is what Christ teaches us by His behavior as He goes to His suffering, not unwillingly, or out of necessity, but willingly. It is, therefore, said, “When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered.”2 Saint John Chrysostom And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. [2] 1 St Augustine: On the Gospel of St John, tractate 112:1 2 Homilies on St. John, 83: 1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The Lord allowed that His arrest should occur at the place that Judas knew, so that He might give him the chance to reconsider and perhaps realize that he was misusing the advantage he had of being Christ’s special companion even at His place of worship. The Evangelists relate the facts but do not comment. They mention what Judas did as a true fact but they do not blame or rebuke him. They also present the acts and words of the Lord Jesus Christ without comment. They may, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have wished to let the acts speak to the hearts and minds of the readers. * As the Lord went out to the place known to His betrayer, He made it easier for the conspirators; and it indicated to His disciples that He willingly went to His death. This was enough to comfort them, that He came to the garden as someone condemned to a prison. ‘When Jesus had spoken these words’: What were those words? They were certainly spoken to the Father. He was surely praying. Why did he not say, ‘When He finished praying He went out there’? The answer is because that was not a prayer, but a discourse for the sake of the disciples. And, lest when you hear the words of the Evangelist, “where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered,” you think the Lord Jesus Christ went to hide there, the Evangelist continues immediately saying, “And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place.” He does not merely say this, but he also says, “for Jesus often met there with His disciples.” For, the Lord often met with His special disciples there to speak to them about special necessary things no one else was allowed to hear. He took them to a mountain or a garden, to a place where there was no disturbance compared to other places, so that they might not be troubled when they listened to Him. Saint John Chrysostom * There, was the wolf in lambskin who walked among the sheep in secret against the Head of the family. He knew how to find the opportunity to disperse the weak flock and cast his lustful nets on the Shepherd. 3 Saint Augustine Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops and officers From the chief priests and Pharisees, Came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.” [3] How was Judas not ashamed to face the Lord Jesus as he guided His enemies against Him and retracted from His fellowship and that of His disciples?! This is the work of sin and of Satan. The sinner becomes as shameless as an adulteress. Judas led that big procession; he might have wanted that number of people because he aspired to be a meaningful and respectful leader. A troop or cohort (teen speiran) went out. It is equal to a tenth of a legion. Some say the legion consists of 6000 men; but others say that this was not a fixed number and its divisions 3 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ were not equal. The troops here are Roman soldiers whom the governor sent to protect the temple. The officers belong to the Sanhedrin. Some consider the number of soldiers and officers (the temple soldiers) to be 500 men. Some say they were one thousand men but those who were around the Lord in the garden were probably eleven. For, the large number does not indicate a true conviction. Often, only a few are honest and loyal in their relation with God. The soldiers may have carried swords, while the officers probably came with sticks. Some may wonder why did this number of men come to capture the Lord Jesus Christ? The Roman rulers often sent out big numbers of soldiers to do a small task. In Acts of the Apostles we read that the commander sent 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spear men to guard the captive, Paul, on the way (Acts 23: 23). Moreover, they were afraid Christ’s arrest might cause a public rebellion. These were not a multitude of common people coming haphazardly. They were leaders, responsible men from the temple and the royal court, who had came to arrest Him. The nominal literal church united with the powers of darkness against the Truth. The crowd consisted of a mixture of various Jewish leaders and officers and Roman Gentile soldiers. Each group was considered an enemy of the other group, but they united to oppose the Lord Jesus Christ. They became friends when the Lord entered the path of pain to offer everybody as members of His suffering, glorious body. The Lord went out at night to lead the battle against the powers of darkness. He went out to the battlefield declaring His going out to the Cross. He went out with His disciples to a known place, to the garden, as in a procession. He went out as in a planned design waiting for a procession in agreement with darkness. He was waiting for Judas with the crowd of darkness as though by appointment and at a place Judas knew. The Lord did not hide from the mob of darkness as He hid before when the Jews took up stones to throw at Him as He taught in the temple. He hid then and went out of the temple going through the midst of them (John 8: 59). They came with lanterns to capture Jesus, the Second Adam, although it was full moon. They thought He might hide among the trees as the first Adam did in the Garden of Eden when he hid from God’s face. They came with torches to give light to them for they might see the shining Sun in the garden. They wished to see “the Sun of Righteousness” by means of the lanterns. They had swords and weapons lest the Second Adam and His disciples might resist them. They did not realize that in doing this they carried the swords against themselves. The procession came ready, perhaps fearing an eclipse of the moon and they, therefore, carried torches and lanterns. They also feared His disciples had weapons and, therefore, they came armed and ready for a battle. It is not strange to find this same kind of thinking across the ages. The world accusing the Church of wishing to establish a nation within the nation, in spite of the fact that the Church has spiritual armor and her kingdom is not of this world. John the Evangelist alone, excluding the other Evangelists, mentions “troops” who are groups of Roman guards linked to Jerusalem, coming with officers from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest the Lord Christ, as though Rome, the capital of the world, became involved in the accusation of Jesus of Nazareth. https://coptic-treasures.com/ * It is a detachment not of Jews but of soldiers. We thus understand that the order came from the ruler for the security of the criminal man, and to keep outward show of legislative authority and also to suppress any resistance of the captive. At the same time a large multitude gathered armed to frighten anybody who might defend Christ.4 Saint Augustine * They often sent people to arrest Him and could not. But this time it is clear that He gives Himself up willingly. How did they allure the troops? They were soldiers who did anything to obtain money.5 Saint John Chrysostom * Who is the lamb that changed itself into a wolf and began attacking the Good Shepherd? * Why did you with deceit forget the grace our Lord who gave you as He gave to Peter and John? * O wise men fear deceitful kisses, for the Son of God was crucified by one kiss. Saint Jacob of Sarug Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, Went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” [4] The Lord Jesus Christ faced the rebellious armed multitude asking them gently, “Whom are you seeking?” Undoubtedly many officers of the temple had seen Him when He went there. But they feared that Judas might make a mistake by kissing Him because he knew Him more than they. When they saw Him they did not know Him. This shows that their lanterns did not benefit them. When He went forward they could not arrest Him so that they might know that their swords could not help them unless He gave Himself up to them. * He thus did not wait to know their aim when they came. He spoke and acted without confusion, for He knew all things.6 Saint John Chrysostom “They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas who betrayed Him, also stood with them.” [5] When they wanted to make Him king, He departed (Jn 6: 15). When they wanted to crucify Him He presented Himself. He came to the world to carry our burdens on the Cross. He met them quietly and peacefully and answered them kindly, “I am He.” This is the glorious name of God in the midst of His people (Exodus 3: 14). They trampled over Him as on a worm, not as a man (Ps 22: 6) and they did not realize He was Jehovah Himself. 4 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 2. 5 Homilies on St. John, 83: 1. 6 Homilies on St. John, 83: 1. https://coptic-treasures.com/ When they were asked whom they were seeking they answered, “Jesus of Nazareth.” All they knew about Him was that He was “Jesus of Nazareth.” They may have used this title in scorn, that He came from Nazareth, and to conceal the fact that He was the promised Messiah. They, indeed, did not know Him because if they knew the Lord of Glory they would not have crucified Him. The Lord did not take advantage of their ignorance or blindness as Elisha did when he confronted the Syrian forces. For, he deceived them showing them the wrong route and took them to the city. According to John the Evangelist, the Jews were confused because of the identity of Jesus that He was “of Nazareth.” * Nathanael stumbled at the beginning of his service for the Lord Jesus Christ when he said about Christ, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (Jn 1: 46) * When He spoke to the multitude about Himself being the bread coming down from heaven, they said, “Is not this Jesus….whose father and mother we know” (See Jn 6: 38-42) referring to Joseph of Nazareth. * Also when Nicodemus tried to defend the Lord, those who doubted said, “Will the Christ come out of Galilee? No prophet has arisen out of Galilee.” (Jn 7: 41, 52). They made this mistake because He was from Nazareth of Galilee. * For the fourth time in the garden, the multitudes said scornfully that they sought Jesus of Nazareth. * At last, in the fifth time, when Jesus was stretched on the Cross condemned to death, the declared title of His crime was “Jesus of Nazareth, The King of the Jews” (Jn 19: 19). Do you perceive how the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ can fight for Him. For, how could He be in their midst and blind their eyes. The proof that the darkness of night was not the reason is clear, as the Evangelist writes about Judas, that, “he came there with torches and lanterns.” If they had no torches, they would have recognized the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. If they did not know Him, how could Judas who was with Him all the time not know Him while he stood with them. Saint John Chrysostom Now when He said to them, “I am He” They drew back and fell to the ground.” [6] He said, “I am He.” This is the glorious name of God (Exodus 3: 14) especially when He announces His presence in the middle of His people. The expression “I am” ‘ego eimi’ in Greek refers to the ‘self’ that is full of awe and cannot be comprehended, unveiling him. In chapter eight, Jesus says: “…before Abraham was I AM.” ‘Ego eimi’ (John 8: 58). He says, “I AM” not ‘I was.’ Here, when He said to them “I am He” they drew back and fell to the ground, helpless as though a terrible thunder and bright lightning had struck them. He could have commanded the earth to open its mouth and swallow them as it swallowed Dathan and Korah and their men (Numbers 16: 30-35). But He gave Himself up to them after protecting His disciples. He thus asserted to everybody that He willingly gave Himself up. He desired them to realize they were weak and repent. He was not punishing them for what they did, because that punishment was https://coptic-treasures.com/ harder than they could endure. All this neither moved their hearts to repentance, nor did they relate what happened to the power of the Lord Christ. Instead, they pursued their wicked, ungrateful, stony road. A sign is performed in the last moments before He gives Himself up, yet their hearts do not respond because they did not seek the divine truth. They rather followed their human passions and sought the things that are for persons not the things that are for God. For, a miracle does not move the heart unless that heart even in its blindness wishes to know and live in the light. Saint Augustine says, ‘If He did this when He was arrested to be brought to judgment, what will He do when He comes to judge?’ * The Lord of Glory who despised shame and embraced suffering in the flesh did not relinquish His will. He said, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (Jn 2: 19). Again He said, “No one takes it (My life) from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again” (Jn 10: 18). When those armed with swords and sticks approached on the eve of His suffering, He caused them to draw back when He said, “I am He” (Jn 18: 6, Exodus 3: 14). Once more when the thief asked Him to remember him as He was dying, He revealed His universal authority by saying, “today you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 23: 43).Even during the moments and as He suffered, He did not resign His authority.7 Saint Gregory of Nyssa * His voice alone saying, “I am He”, without weapons, hit the multitude and set them back, and caused them to fall to the ground in spite of all their wildness, their hatred and the horror of their weapons. For, God is concealed in human flesh and the eternal Light is now hidden in human arms. So they sought Him with torches and lanterns to kill Him with darkness.8 * Indeed, they looked for Him in their mad rebellion, to carry Him to death, but He also was searching for them when He delivered Himself to die. Therefore, He revealed His authority to those who had the will but not the authorization to arrest Him. May they now capture Him so that He might do His will in those who did not know Him.9 Saint Augustine Then He asked them again, ‘Whom are you seeking?’ And they said ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’” [7] As He did not intend to punish them, but only wanted them to reconsider, He raised them with care and did not leave them forever fallen to the ground. For, He came not to judge but to save. When they fell to the ground, He did not abuse or harm them. He merely repeated His question and they gave the same answer. He desired to stir up their conscience so that they might realize their mistake, but their answer was the same, without change, exposing their stubborn insistence on evil. 7 Against Eunomius 2: 11. 8 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 3. 9 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ * Oh what stupidity! The word of the Lord Jesus Christ threw them down on their backs, but they did not change their attitude. Even though they knew His power, they repeated their same answer. * If they did not know that He was Jesus, how could Judas who was always with Him not know Him? Judas stood with them, and like them he did not recognize Jesus, and like them he fell to the ground. Jesus did this to show that they were not only unable to capture Him, but they also could not see Him though He was among them; for He did not allow it.10 Saint John Chrysostom Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way.” [8] He ordered them to let His disciples go their way because His disciples were not yet able to share suffering with Him, for they were weak in their faith. He also desired to pass through the winepress alone because no being had the right to save the world but the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone could take our place to carry our sins on our behalf and forgive us through His unique redemptive sacrifice. This is the right behavior according to the legal process, that the indicted should give himself up to judgment to allow the release of those involved in the contention. In this way He gave His beloved the benefit of His protection and He also gave to the rebellious mob the chance to reconsider and repent willingly. He willingly gave Himself up to become a prisoner, not because He could not escape, but because He did not desire to escape. When He asked them to let His disciples go, He did not entreat them, for they were very weak. But He commanded them so that they might realize that He had the authority to care for the safety of His disciples. He also had the authority to give Himself up for their sakes and the sake of all the chosen ones. He revealed His kindness to His people even during the bitter moments of pain. He pitied them in their weakness of faith and their immature spiritual stature. The time had not yet come for them to share His suffering. They had not yet obtained the power of the Holy Spirit that would support them. He does not allow us to be tempted more than we can endure. He knows how to permit tribulations that befit us in accordance to the possibilities He grants us and according to the stature we have reached. ‘…that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, “Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.”’ [9] * The Lord Jesus Christ said, “…if you seek Me, let these go their way.” He thus revealed His kindness to the end, as though He said, ‘if you need Me, you must not meddle with these, for here I am and I give Myself up to you.’ * Loss here does not mean death but eternal loss. However, the Evangelist here means death also. One may wonder, why they did not arrest the disciples along with Him. Why did they not tear them to pieces, especially when Peter aroused their anger by what he did to the servant. Who then stopped them? No one stopped them other than the force that caused them to draw 10 Hom 83. PG 59: 490. https://coptic-treasures.com/ back. Thus, so that He may prove that what happened did not happen because they wanted to, but because He commanded and His power hindered them, the Evangelist adds, “…that the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.’” [9].11 Saint John Chrysostom * Some may ask, why did He let His disciples escape. The answer is, “That the saying might be fulfilled which He spoke, ‘Of those whom You gave Me I have lost none.’” [9] While later He allowed His believers to be persecuted and martyred, He wanted His disciples to escape because they had not yet obtained the Holy Spirit that would support them during oppression. For, they could have denied the Lord like Peter who denied Him three times during the trial. If they did, they would have died not only physically, but also eternally.12 Saint Augustine 2- The Cutting off of Malchus’s Ear Then Simon Peter having a sword, Drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, And cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.” [10] Simon Peter was wrong to behave in a manner that was not proper for him as a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ warned His disciples not to resist the authorities. He told them not to resist violence with more violence (Matt 5: 39). The Lord had repeated several times that the Son of man must suffer. He had also declared that His hour had come. But still Peter resisted with words and actions to prevent suffering. While he thought he was defending his Master, he was acting against his Master’s will. He had just heard the Lord ordering the crowd to let His disciples go their way in peace. But instead of going away, Peter insisted on staying and striking with the sword. When Simon Peter saw the multitudes falling before the Lord Jesus Christ, he was encouraged and wanted to use the sword for defense. But when he saw the Lord captured and judged, he quickly denied Him three times. Peter is known for his zeal and quick behavior. What he did was to cut off the servant’s right ear. It is strange that he did not dare to strike Judas who betrayed his Master and who was leading the crowd, but he only struck the servant. Peter had good intentions as he was defending his Master. But his intention does not justify his conduct and his use of the sword. He should have waited for his Master’s orders. Peter may have wanted to kill the high priest’s servant, but the Lord permitted only that he cuts off the man’s ear. The Lord did that not to show His healing power in restoring the man’s ear, but to demonstrate His gentleness to His antagonists. God did not allow Peter to behead the servant because that might have moved the soldiers to kill the disciples, and then they would have condemned the Lord as a rebel who incited people to rebellion and murder. 11 Homilies on St. John, 83: 1. 12 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ The three other Evangelists relate this incident without mentioning the apostle Peter’s name or the name of Malchus. This may be because they were still alive, but saint John mentions the two names because they had died. * The apostle Peter trusted in the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the signs He had performed. He, therefore, armed himself against his attackers. If you say, ‘how did Peter who was commanded neither to have gold nor two tunics (Matt 10: 9, 10) have a sword?’ I answer, ‘I think that the apostle Peter feared this very incident would happen and he therefore was prepared.’ If you say, ‘he was ordered not to slap anybody (Matt 5: 39) how then could he become a murderer? For he was told not to take revenge.’ I answer, ‘he does not fight, here, to defend himself, but to defend his Teacher. Besides, the disciples were not yet perfect’13. Saint John Chrysostom * In this manner the disciple wished to defend his Master without thinking what meaning his action might imply. Therefore, he was told to be patient and the incident was recorded so that we might understand its implication. ‘Malchus’ means ‘appointed to reign.’ What then is the significance of the ear that was cut off for the sake of the Lord and which the Lord healed? It means a renewal of hearing that is pruned from its old condition to serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter. Who can deny that he with whom Christ deals thus is not appointed to reign with Him? The servant was found in need of being released from slavery to enjoy healing and freedom.14 Saint Augustine So Jesus said to Peter, ‘Put your sword into the sheath. Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?’ [11] The Lord Jesus Christ did not magnify the situation. He gently and compassionately rebuked His sincere disciple and He healed the servant. He kindly chided Peter so that he might not use the metal sword, but use the sword of the word of God that can triumph. The Lord accused him of resisting the will of the Father who gave the Son, the Word Incarnate, the cup to drink even though it seemed extremely bitter. The Lord was determined to drink the cup for our sake. He would drink the cup of suffering to death on the Cross, so that He might give us the cup of salvation, of divine blessing and heavenly solace. He desired to drink the cup in obedience to His Father, the Lover of mankind, who knew that His Only Begotten Son yearned to redeem the human race. We also, as we receive from God’s hands the cup of pain, let us remember that it is a great honor for us to share with the Only Begotten Son His suffering, His Cross, and His cup. Let us accept it from the hands of the Father who loves us and cares for us. He knows in His wisdom how much we can endure and how much that will benefit us. He is a wise Father who can never be wrong in His judgment! 13 Homilies on St. John, 83: 2. 14 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ In love and in obedience, the Lord drank the cup of suffering, the fruit of our sins. Let us drink the cup of joyful salvation that grants blessing and comfort. It is appropriate for us also to partake with our Christ of the cup that He received with joy and pleasure from the Father. It is a small cup, neither a river nor a sea. It is not hell, but a light yoke we carry for a few moments. Our suffering with Christ is a cup given to us as a divine gift. The Father offers it to us in His loving Fatherhood for our glory, not for our loss. The cup indicates the individual’s fortune in life, both good and bad. But here the cup refers to Christ’s last suffering that He accepted with joy from the Father for our sake. * The Lord said to the apostle Peter, “Shall I not drink the cup which My Father has given Me?” He thus made it clear that what happened was not because of the might of those accusers, but was the result of His power and authority. He also explained that He was not opposed to God, but was rather obedient to His Father to the point of death.15 Saint John Chrysostom * The Lord accepted the cup from the Father’s hands and willingly drank it. For, the Apostle says, “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma.” (Eph 5: 2).16 Saint Augustine Then the detachment of troops, and the captain and officers of the Jews Arrested Jesus and bound Him.” [12] The Lord’s tenderness, and His healing of Malchus’s ear did not appease the rage of the mob against Him. This Evangelist is the only one who has recorded that they arrested Jesus and bound Him. They bound Him thinking they conquered Him. They were perhaps afraid He might perform a miracle and get away from them; so they bound Him. It is said that as He gave Himself up they wanted to be sure they could control Him; so they bound Him so violently that His fingers bled. They bound His hands behind His back and put fetters round His neck and dragged Him. A sequence of suffering and abuse in every possible manner began. Slaves were the only people who were bound before they were found guilty. They arrested and bound Jesus, neither because He was weak or disabled, nor because He could not escape, but because He desired our salvation through the Cross. They could not have had the ability to bind Him if He had not bound Himself to the horns of the altar with ropes of infinite love, like a sacrificial lamb offered for the world. They did not realize that He was bound instead of us who are bound with the cords of our sins (Prov 5: 22) and the yoke of our transgressions (Lamentations 1: 14). Evil binds the spirit and drags us to God’s judgment. Corruption is the tether of the spirit taking us to Satan’s kingdom. As our Christ became sin for our sakes, He accepted to be bound with ropes to free us from our bondage. He was bound so that we might be free. As He, because of His love for us, accepted the chains, we now have the honor of becoming bound by the obedience and love of God. We are proud of the fetters of love and say 15 Homilies on St. John, 83: 2. 16 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ with the Apostle, “Remember my chains” (Col 4: 18) as sharing the chains with Christ. These are shackles that have become not of bondage and of evil, but signs of love and union. No wonder that Paul and Silas rejoiced, and though their feet were fastened in the stocks, they sang hymns at midnight inside the prison. According to Saint Ignatius of Antioch these hymns were precious spiritual pearls. Captain Chiliarches was a centurion and may be the captain of the temple officers, or of the Roman chief who was responsible for the security and protection of the temple. The prophecies have been fulfilled for the bulls have surrounded Him (Ps 22: 12). They surrounded Him like bees (Ps 118: 12). The symbols have been realized: Isaac was bound to be offered as a burnt sacrifice; Joseph was unjustly bound in prison so that his spirit might be free; and Samson was bound so that the Philistines might kill him. The prophet Isaiah wrote concerning Christ, “He was taken from prison and from judgment” (Is 53: 8). 3 – Before Annas During the Roman occupation, the Romans were mostly preoccupied with collecting taxes to give to the emperor and the military authorities to ensure the empire and its power. Rome did not force the colonies to change their language, culture, religion, or execute their interior affairs. The Romans left them to perform their civil and criminal trials in accordance to their customs, but the Roman ruler had the right to change things if necessary. The ruler also was the judge in matters of national peace, especially in the case of public unrest, or in plots against the Roman nation. Therefore, the judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ took place naturally before the chief priests and the Sanhedrim, but the Roman ruler had to confirm the sentence of capital punishment. The religious leaders feared that the Roman ruler might refuse to kill Jesus Christ for a religious reason. They, therefore, presented two complaints: one religious, that is blasphemy, the second criminal that is civil strife against the Roman nation. And they led Him away to Annas first, For he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year.” [13] ‘Annas’ is a Hebrew name short for ‘Ananias’ that means “Jehovah has granted.” He was the chief priest in Jerusalem. ‘Caiaphas’ is an Aramaic name that may mean, ‘rock.’ He had become the high priest for the Jews because the position of high priest was not, as before, held for life. It was expected that Christ would be cast in prison until morning when He would be judged. However, the powers of evil were afraid of Him and hastened to judge Him religiously at night. They stayed up all night judging Him because they were thirsty for His blood as for a prey they had caught. The procession went out at night first to the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem where Annas, the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year, lived. It may be that the house of Annas was on their way, or they might have wanted to ask Annas his opinion, as he was the former experienced and older high priest. They knew that at his old age he was thirsty for the blood of Jesus Christ and he therefore would not be upset, but would consider it an honor, when https://coptic-treasures.com/ they would disturb him at midnight. They went also perhaps thinking that they would be paid because they had accomplished their task in accordance with the opinion of Caiaphas “that it was expedient that one man should die for the people” [14]. They led Him away to their masters at midnight as Caiaphas had advised. First they went to Annas to assert His accusation from the point of view of religion before the people, as they would show that there was no conflict among the religious leaders and that they agreed to destroy Jesus. They took Him there so that they might convene an informal meeting to collect evidence of accusations against Jesus. The official, formal meeting was in the morning before the high priest Caiaphas who presided. It was not expected that Annas would be present during the religious trial before the Sanhedrin very early in the morning. As high priest they gave him Christ, the Offering, to examine and see that He was an offering without blemish! Besides, bringing Christ to Annas the father-in-law of Caiaphas would support Caiaphas in his judgment of the Lord Jesus Christ, since he would base his sentence on the decision of his father-in-law. Annas had strong power among his people because he was high priest for a long time and because at least five of his sons were high priests successively. That year his son-in-law was high priest. Annas found no reason for postponing the sacrifice. He sent Him immediately to his son-in-law, Caiaphas who called the members of the Sanhedrim. They all assembled in the house of Caiaphas, or perhaps in their place in the temple, so that they might pronounce the sentence quickly without delay. To them, in this case, examination and deliberations were not necessary. The judgment of Caiaphas was proposed to appear as for the good of the people. He suggested that one man- justly or unjustly, innocent or guilty- must die because public welfare required it. * If you say, ‘Why did they bring the Lord Jesus Christ to Annas?’ I answer, ‘Because they wanted to arrest Him, to declare what they did and to proclaim their victory.’ Saint John Chrysostom * They led Him to those who could never be near Him. He continued to be the bright day and they remained darkness. They ignored the words, ‘They looked to Him and were radiant’ (Ps 34: 5). Had they come to Him they would have had Him, not in their hands to kill Him, but in their hearts to welcome Him. At any rate, as they arrested Him in this way, they widened the gap between them and Him. They bound Him, He who desired to free them.17 Saint Augustine Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews That it was expedient that one man should die for the people. [14] Why does the Evangelist remind us of that prophecy? He declares that those events happened for the sake of our salvation. This is the increasing power of truth. For even the enemies declare the incidents beforehand.18 Saint John Chrysostom 4 – Peter’s Denial 17 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 112: 6. 18 Hom. 83. PG 59: 491. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, And went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.” [15] Peter at first ran away with the other disciples. But he returned and followed Christ from a distance and with him was John the Evangelist. Saint Jerome thinks that John followed the Lord to the Cross because he was known to the high priest as a man of position19 and of a good respectful family. Some, however, say that John used to sell fish to the house and servants of the high priest. Therefore, they allowed him to follow Christ up to the moments of His crucifixion. * If you ask, ‘Why did John not mention his name?’ I answer, ‘Because here he mentions a great virtue he did not control. For, Christ’s disciples ran away, but he ran after Him. He concealed himself and gave precedence to Peter. Moreover, lest it be said how did this disciple enter the courtyard of the high priest when all the disciples went away? He says, ‘that disciple was known to the high priest,’ so that no one wonders that he followed Christ or be described as courageous.20 Saint John Chrysostom But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, Went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.” [16] Peter came urged by his longing, but he stood at the door and did not enter because he was afraid. Saint John Chrysostom Then the servant girl who kept the door said to Peter, “You are not also one of this Man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” [17] Peter might have had some excuse if the person who spoke to him was Malchus, the high priest’s servant. The servant would have said, ‘You cut off my ear, I’ll cut off your head.’ But this was a servant girl, who kept the door, who questioned him. He should have had the courage to say that he was proud to be that Man’s disciple. Or, at least, in human wisdom, he should have remained silent. But he denied in spite of the Lord’s warning that he would deny Him three times before the cock crew. Calzarius writes that the name of the servant girl was Ballila. It may be remarked that the custom in most of the ancient nations was to give a woman, probably an old woman, the task of keeping the door. * Oh Peter what do you say? Did you not affirm that even if you had to die for Christ’s sake you would die? What happened that you could not bear even a question by a servant girl? 19 St. Jerome, Epistle to Marcel 20 Homilies on St. John, 83: 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Did a soldier question you? Was it one of those who arrested Christ that asked you? No that was only a simple servant girl who asked humbly. It was not even a man who could be violent that posed the question. She did not say, ‘Are you not the disciple of that deceitful corrupt man?’ She only said, “this Man” that implied that she pitied Him. But Peter could not bear a word on that subject. She spoke gently, but Peter neither understood nor thought about it properly.21 Saint John Chrysostom Now the servants and officers who had made a fire of coals stood there, For it was cold, And they warmed themselves. And Peter stood with them and warmed himself. [18] He stood with the servants and officers round the fire, may be so that nobody would think he is a disciple of Jesus, and would rather believe he is one of the servants. He stood with the evil people to warm himself and did not realize that with that fire he inflamed temptation that might burn him if it were not for God’s grace that saved him. In those horrible surroundings of hatred, the Evangelist draws our attention to the triple ingratitude about which our Lord Jesus had already spoken to His disciple Peter who was so ungrateful. The servants and officers made a fire because it was cold. They were not interested in the judgment of Jesus Christ. They cared only for warmth because it was cold. As it was said, “They drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph” (Amos 6:6). Those were perhaps the servants of the high priest and with them the Roman soldiers who cruelly arrested Jesus and led Him away to Annas then to the house of Caiaphas. They were then given permission to be dismissed from the court of judgment. On the other hand, the high priest and those with him were so eager to kill Jesus that they forgot it was cold. It was more appropriate for Peter to avoid the company of the evil people and repeat the Psalmist’s words, “Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies” (Ps 141: 4). But, instead, he stood with the servants and officers to warm himself. He should have accompanied the Lord in His trial, for He might have asked for his testimony. Peter’s zeal froze because of the cold within him and he stood with the opponents of truth to warm himself. He thus exposed himself to the danger of ingratitude to his Master. * John the Evangelist says, “It was cold.” If we take the season into consideration, the weather was not cold. However it would be cold when Christ was not known, when no light was seen, when the burning flame was denied. Peter stood in front of the fire of coals because he felt he was freezing. The evil of Jewish flames burns and does not give warmth. 21 Homilies on St. John, 83: 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Evil is the stove that inflames the darkness of error even in the minds of the saints. It blinded Peter’s two inner eyes.22 Saint Ambrose 5 – A Dialogue with the High Priest The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine.” [19] The high priest may have asked Him with what authority He had disciples and how He could form a religious following to preach a new doctrine and consider Himself a general reformer. The high priest asked Christ about His disciples to assert the civil claim that He stirred up the people against the nation, and that He was a threat to the Roman rulers since He had disciples who opposed the authorities. He asked Him about His doctrine to affirm the religious accusation that He was a blasphemer and false prophet working against the Law and not concerned with the safety of the Jewish teachings. To stress the necessity of His execution, the high priest pointed out two reasons: one political and the second religious. Both accusations were punished by death. He wanted to incriminate the Lord Jesus Christ. The high priest did not ask the Lord about His love and miracles because he could not deny that they were divine acts. He knew that this would cause those present to reconsider the case because of the Lord’s great works. Caiaphas wanted to set traps for the disciples of Jesus as men, who incited the people to riot. But the Lord Jesus Christ, because of His love for them, set them free of the traps without answering the question concerning them. The Lord came for their salvation and sanctification. He therefore was silent concerning them to save them from the opponents. Besides, as He defends His doctrine, He leaves no room for the accusation of the disciples since they practice what they hear of His doctrine. * Oh how cunning was that high priest! He had heard the Lord speaking continually to the people in the temple and teaching them openly. But now he wants to know so that he may condemn the Lord Christ. SaintJohnChrysostom 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.” [20] Concerning the second accusation, He asked for the testimony of the multitude because He spoke openly to all those who had ears to hear. He spoke to all those who wished to listen to the truth whether they were from the upper or lower class, educated or illiterate, Jews or Gentiles, friends or enemies. He is similar to the sun that shines on all places. He taught openly in the temple, on the mount and on the seashore. He spoke on feast days, on the Sabbath, and any time appropriate for 22 Exposition 10: 76. https://coptic-treasures.com/ the word. He is wisdom that cries at all places that they may incline to Him (Prov 8: 3; 9: 3). The Lord used the word, ‘openly’ that may also mean ‘boldly’, for He did not teach in secret corners like one who was afraid or one who asked for some favor. He is the Teacher of all and wishes to build everybody. When He said, “in secret” He did not deny that He met certain individuals or His disciples alone. Those personal meetings were not secret conferences, but rather were an open book for everybody since what He said privately to someone was in harmony with His public teaching. For example, what He said to the Samaritan woman, she proclaimed to the people of her city. When they came to Him He spoke to them the same words. The Lord Himself declared that whatever is spoken in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops (Luke 12: 3). Thus, the believer should follow his Master’s example in this matter (Rom 6: 11; 10: 6). The Lord affirms that His commandment is not secret. As it is written in Deuteronomy, “For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.” (Deut 30: 11). The learned Tertulian writes, “Truth dreads nothing but that it may be concealed.” As though He says, ‘Why do you ask Me? Ask the officers that you and the high priests and Pharisees with you sent to Me, for they previously gave you this report concerning Me saying, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (Jn 7: 46).’ Some of those officers may have come to arrest Him and were present at His religious trial but they said nothing about the truth though they had testified of Him earlier. It is evident that the word, ‘the world’ refers to the Jewish world because the Lord spoke to them openly. But He met the Gentiles individually, that is with certain individuals who wished to speak to Him or enjoy His works of love. The Lord Jesus Christ did not establish a secret school. His teachings were public and sincere. He and His disciples opposed neither the people nor the nation. The judge was himself the prosecutor accusing, and the accused Himself was the lawyer and the witness defending Himself. * How now? Did He never speak in secret? Indeed, He spoke but not as they thought that He spoke out of fear or for strife; for at all times what He said was far above the hearing of many people.23 Saint John Chrysostom * “I spoke openly to the world” [20]: He spoke openly and many heard Him. Yet this was not truly openly since they did not understand even what He said to His disciples. He surely spoke to His disciples in secret, but He desired that what He said to them they would spread. For, He said to the few at that time, “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops” (Matt 10: 27). Thus, even if it seems He spoke to them in secret, it was not meant to be in secret, for He did not say, ‘let the listeners be dumb.’ He rather asked them to preach in every possible way. Likewise, words may be said openly and yet at the same time remain secret.24 Saint Augustine 23 Hom. 83. PG 59: 491. 24 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 113: 3. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard Me what I said to them. Indeed they know what I said.” [21] He asked for the testimony of those who heard Him, not of His disciples or His friends who might defend Him, but of the temple officers and the people who listened to Him. They had said, “No man ever spoke like this Man!” (Jn 7: 46 That was the testimony of the officers before the high priests and Pharisees. The answer of the Lord Jesus Christ to the high priest implied an accusation against that high priest: that his legislative procedure was wrong, that he was in wait for a non-existing error, and that the judgment was contrived and deceitful. Therefore one of the officers struck Jesus in defense of the high priest’s honor as he claimed [22]. * These are not the words of a proud man. They are the words of One who is confident of the truth of what He says. As though the Lord said to the high priest, ‘Do you ask Me about My disciples? Ask My enemies who conspired against Me and bound Me.’ This is the proof of truth void of doubt or hesitation that He asks for an enemy to testify of what He said. This was what the high priest should have done but did not do. Saint John Chrysostom 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?” [22] Some writers think that the word, ‘struck’ does not mean, ‘slap’, but it means, ‘smite’ with the stick that the temple officers carried. He hit Him with the stick on the face. The word ‘smite’ is used in Micah 5: 1, “they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.” It is also used in Job 16: 10, “they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully.” The words of the Lord did not convey antipathy. He did not sound cruel, but rather compassionate. He spoke gently and courteously but also courageously. He did not insult the high priest, for His words were convincing and an answer to the priest’s accusation. The officer, then, gave expression to what went on in the heart of the high priest and what that high priest wanted to do. That officer did not realize that by what he did he announced the person of the Messiah about whom Isaiah prophesied, “I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair. I hid not my face from shame and spitting” (Is 50: 6). Micah wrote, “they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek” (Micah 5: 1). In Job also it is written, “They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten me upon the cheek reproachfully; they have gathered themselves together against me” (Job 16: 10). Some believe that the officer might be Malchus whose ear the Lord Christ had healed. He thus responded with ingratitude and violence to Christ’s act of love. The officer could also have been one of those who testified of the Lord in front of the high priest and Pharisees (Jn 7: 46), and was afraid that Jesus might ask for his testimony concerning His words and teachings. https://coptic-treasures.com/ He who was healed was perhaps afraid they would think he was a friend of Jesus to the disadvantage of the temple, or that he was not loyal to the high priest and the people. Therefore, he showed some hostility to Christ. * Be afraid, O heavens, and shake, O earth, because of the Lord’s patience and longsuffering and the rashness of His servants. What did the Lord say? He did not say, ‘Why do you ask Me?’ as though He refused to speak to him. He desired to expose the stupid behavior. He was above that blow though He could destroy, remove, and strip it of everything. But He did not do so, but only uttered words that could calm all fury.25 Saint John Chrysostom Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; But if well, why do you strike Me?” [23] By answering the man who struck Him, He gave His believers the right to defend themselves but not to take revenge. The defense must still be in love, truth and meekness. The Lord suffered blows and abuse but did not threaten. The Lord Christ could have answered that officer by performing a miracle such as causing the man’s hand become stiff, or the earth to open and swallow him, etc. But the Lord answered the man gently and with wisdom, without turning the other cheek as He commanded in His Sermon on the Mount (Matt 5: 39). He, thus, has taught everybody that there are some who would turn the other cheek physically but with a heart full of hatred for him who hit him. As for the Lord, He turned His entire body to be crucified in love for the sake even of the man who struck Him. Thus, the ‘turning’ must be inward. * We lack our Savior’s patience. Our Christ was led like a lamb to slaughter. He did not open His mouth, but He mercifully said to the man who struck Him, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why do you strike Me?”26 Saint Jerome * The Lord did not answer the high priest scornfully. He did not show any disrespect to him as a priest. Christ only asserted His own innocence.27 Cyprian the Martyr * This has shown what must be revealed: that the great commandments (such as turning the other cheek) are realized not physically but with the heart’s inclination. For, it is possible for an angry man to turn his other cheek only in appearance.28 Saint Augustine Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. [24] 25 Homilies on St. John, 83: 3. 26 Against the Pelagians, 3: 4. 27 Letter 59 to Cornelius: 4. 28 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 113: 4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ It is evident that they had released the Lord from the chains as Annas examined Him. Now they bound Him again. However, some writers observe that the statement may be interpreted as that He was bound even during His trial and He was sent as He was to Caiaphas. Saint John the Evangelist was not concerned in relating the incidents chronologically. What happens here comes after verse 13 immediately chronologically. 6 – Peter’s Twofold Denials 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!” [25] Peter may have heard that the high priest asked the Lord about His disciples [19]. Peter then was afraid he might be arrested or beaten like his Master. He, therefore, denied that he was one of Christ’s disciples. He led himself into temptation twice as he stood with the officers to warm himself. He wished to warm himself with the fire of the wicked and caused the cold to come to his good life. He should have warmed himself with the coals of flame of Christ’s love that many waters could not quench (Song of Solomon 8: 6-7). Saint John the Evangelist relates to us a painful story, the story of Peter’s threefold denials that may be counted among the Lord’s suffering and is not less than His physical pains. The first denial: Peter was outside or down in the courtyard of Caiaphas. Jesus was not in the upper part of the court in front of the high priest. As he stood with the officers warming himself, Peter said to a servant girl who kept the door that he was not one of Christ’s disciples (verses 16- 17). The second denial: A little while after his first denial (Luke 22: 58) he certainly withdrew from his place and went out to the gateway (Matt 26: 71). At that moment the rooster crowed for the first time, right after midnight. But the servant girl and those with her followed him, for it is obvious that there is a direct link between the two spots. There, a man accused him of harassing the servant girl and that probably aroused many standing by to ask questions and find out the truth about Peter. It is not understood that when the man inquired about Simon Peter, the others stood silent, for the situation shook the entire city. The questions of so many undoubtedly caused much noise. The third denial: Peter is in the court and Jesus sees him from some distance. About an hour after his first denial, those present accused him of being a Galilean (Luke 22: 59) and insisted he was one of Christ’s disciples. Saint John states that a relative of Malchus affirmed the accusation. The denial here was tense and the rooster crowed a second time. Peter made consecutive mistakes. He sinned and each sin led to another until he reached what he never expected would happen. He began by self confidently proclaiming he would die for his Master. Through that human pride arising from self-confidence, he was absorbed in his own self and stood warming himself among the evil group. With every fall (in denying) because of his human weakness, he fell into another stronger and more bitter denial in spite of the Lord’s warning to him. When the rooster crowed the first time (the signal that the Lord gave him), he https://coptic-treasures.com/ did not refrain from what he said. He needed Christ’s look at him to raise in him the spirit of repentance and to fill him with hope. * How strange Peter was! He was sincerely yearning, steadfast in Christ, yet he was negligent. After they bound the Lord and led Him away, Peter did not move but stood warming himself. Then, when they asked him, he denied, so that you know how weak we human beings are (Luke 22: 62). Saint John Chrysostom 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?’” [26] Peter tried to conceal his identity as a disciple of Christ. He did not know that whatever was secret must be revealed. There is a popular saying that there may be a bird in the air that tells what we, liars, may hide. * Why did the Evangelists agree in what they wrote about him? They did not wish to accuse him, but they wanted to teach us that it is a bad thing to depend on oneself and not leave things in God’s hands. But do not be surprised that his Master gently cares for him. For, He had thought of His disciple and helped him rise when he fell. He looked at him through a stream of tears.29 Saint John Chrysostom “Peter then denied again, And immediately a rooster crowed.” [27] * See, for the prophecy of the Physician is realized and the insolence of the patient is brought to light.30 Saint Augustine 7 – At the Praetorium Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, And it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, Lest they should be defiled, But that they might eat the Passover.” [28] Why did they take Him to Pilate to judge Him? 1- So that the sentence of capital punishment may be legal and in accordance to the law of the city that was under Roman rule. 29 Homilies on St. John, 83: 3. 30 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 113: 6. https://coptic-treasures.com/ 2- If they had not judged Him formally, riots would have started and they would not have crucified Him. For, the governor only could decree crucifixion but the rioters would have stoned Him and the prophecies would not have been fulfilled. 3- The Jewish religious leaders may have feared the rebellion of the people. They, therefore, thought that a formal trial would give them some legality and control over the people if they rebelled. 4- They wished to give His death a form of shame and scandal since the Romans used crucifixion as the most shameful death. The leaders wanted to ruin His reputation and completely blot His fame. Now the Evangelist gives us a live picture of the judgment of the Lord before the Roman governor, Pilate, at the Praetorium. The trial begins very early in the morning. Occurrences run quickly so that the Sanhedrim may achieve their plot, supported by a civil trial, before the people disagree and separate concerning Jesus. Some say that this judgment was between two and three o’clock in the morning; but others think it was between five and six in the morning. The leaders hastened the proceedings while the people were still asleep so that they might minimize the danger of public insurrection or the equal danger of public reconsideration of the case of the Lord Christ. For, the people who now side with the leaders may support Him. The Jews considered this a very serious matter. They, therefore, forced the great Roman officer, Pontius Pilate, to convict Christ. The multitudes had to remain outside the Praetorium lest they should be defiled if they entered a pagan court during the days of the Passover, or if they entered the house of a Gentile who did not observe the special ordinances of that week such as getting rid of yeast. The Jews believed that they would be defiled even if they touched a Gentile, especially during the Passover. They strained out a gnat and swallowed a camel. According to the Mosaic Law, whoever enters an unclean place is defiled and whoever enters a tent where a dead man lies is defiled (Numbers 19: 14). The unclean person cannot eat of an offering (Lev 7: 20) and this prevents him from keeping the Passover. A person who is unclean during the Passover may observe the Passover a month later (Num 9: 6-13). St John the Evangelist and the other Evangelists point out the fact that the events of the Cross did not happen because the wicked people, who seemed physically stronger and having authority, could defeat the Lord Christ. These events were in complete harmony with the Father’s plan for the salvation of the world, and the Son’s pleasure in fulfilling that plan. No wonder that our Christ announced on the Cross, “It is finished” (Jn 19: 30) before He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit. The Cross with all that happened was not a catastrophe in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was, rather, a fulfillment of the divine design. The Roman authorities allowed the Jewish courts to openly affirm and execute capital punishment in specific cases: adultery, blasphemy, and sacrilege. This may be the reason that their first accusation against Christ was that He intended to destroy the temple. This was an indirect means they used to deliver Him to ritual or lawful death. This death according to Jewish tradition was by stoning. The Lord had hidden Himself when they wanted to throw stones at Him (Jn 8: 59) because He would not have achieved salvation of the world if He had died by stoning. On the other hand, crucifixion was executed in accordance to the Roman law to punish https://coptic-treasures.com/ slaves and non-Romans. It is a horrible and shameful punishment that, to the Jews, symbolized a curse and extreme defilement. Therefore, the Jews and the Romans joined to execute it as quickly as possible on the day of preparation for the Passover. A discussion began in which three parties participated. Those were first the official religious Jewish leaders as prosecutors. Secondly, the Roman governor, as a Roman representative was responsible in examining the suspect. Then, thirdly, the Lord who knew that His hour had come and that in obedience He fulfilled the Father’s will that was in harmony with His own will as lover of mankind. Some say that ‘the Passover’ here does not signify the lamb of the Passover, but other offerings given during the celebrations of the Passover. Those offerings were eaten on the eve preceding the feast. They believe that the Lord was crucified on the day following the feast. Others think that ‘the Passover’ here indicates the lamb of the Passover; that day was the suitable day for that offering, for the Lord was hung on the Cross at the same time as they ate the Passover. Thus, the Lord did not eat the Passover with them. A different group observes that the Jews were free to eat the Passover starting on the Thursday supper and continuing to Friday evening. This was allowed because the large number of sacrificed lambs made it necessary. Some believe that the Lord ate the Passover the final year of His life on earth (Matt 26: 17- 19; Mark 14: 12-18; Luke 22: 8-15). He ate it a few hours before it was the time to eat it. They believe that Christ was sacrificed the exact moments the lamb should be slaughtered according to the law. It is clear in the Gospels according to the saints Matthew, Mark, and Luke that the Lord ate the Passover on Holy Thursday; then, Christ gave His body a Passover of the New Covenant. However in the Gospel according to St John, it is clear that the Jewish leaders had not yet eaten the Passover and consequently the Passover was on Good Friday. Many writers published complete books to solve this problem.31 There is evidence that different groups in Israel used different calendars other than the one used by the temple officials. For example, the group who produced the Dead Sea manuscripts used an old calendar and concluded that the priests in Jerusalem celebrated all the feasts on the wrong dates. The simple solution of our problem, then, is that Jesus and His disciples used a different calendar and kept the Passover a day before the temple officials. This explains why the Passover lamb is not mentioned during the Lord’s supper although the lamb is essential in keeping the Passover. It was not possible to offer the lamb as sacrifice before eating it without the approval of the special temple authorities. The three Gospels consistently refer to the Passover meal that the Lord and His disciples ate. On the other hand, St John refers to the formal celebration and as that had not yet taken place, some high priests refused to enter the Praetorium lest they should be defiled and should be forced to keep the Passover a month later (Numbers 9: 6-13). * And I say to one of them, ‘Tell me what defilement you will suffer if you are present at the court where He justly meets the unjust? You pay tithe of mint and anise but unjustly kill and do 31 Leon Morris, the Gospel according to John, Eerdmans Grand Rapids 1971, pp. 774-486. https://coptic-treasures.com/ not think you are defiled. Yet you think you would be defiled if you went into the court of justice.’ Saint John Chrysostom * Whoever enters the house of a Gentile during the days of unleavened bread is considered defiled! How evil this is! Is it true that they are defiled by the house of a stranger but are not defiled by committing evil? They feared they should be defiled if they entered the court of justice of a stranger and they were not afraid of defilement through the bloodshed of an innocent brother. 32 Saint Augustine Pilate then went out to them and said, ‘What accusation do you bring against this Man?’” [29] Pilate had some good qualities. On the one hand, he did not refuse to do his duty as judge early in the morning, although he could have asked them to wait until the suitable time for him. On the other hand, he was modest, for when they refused to enter the Praetorium lest they should be defiled, he could have not gone out to them. He could have told them they must enter to him or return to their homes. He could have asked them to postpone the trial till after the feast when they could enter his headquarters. One more good quality is that he wished to investigate and therefore asked what accusation they brought against Jesus. He wanted to know the truth of the charge. * Do you not see that he is free of the passion to judge and free of cunning? When he saw Jesus bound and led by so many he did not think that this was enough to indict Him. He asked them why they accused Him considering it strange that they should judge Him and reach a verdict without judgment on his part. Why do they say this?33 Saint John Chrysostom Pilate’s question does not mean that he did not know the accusation brought against the Lord Christ. But, as a ruler he had to see that the procedures follow in the right sequence and in order. Moreover, Pilate’s question disappointed the leaders because they knew that according to the Mosaic Law the blasphemer must die, but according to the Roman law blasphemy of the God of the Jews was not punished by death since it was not considered a capital offense. Indeed, the Roman soldiers took part with the temple officers in arresting Jesus Christ. This shows that there was a form of collaboration and consultation between the religious and the civil authorities. This may be why the religious authorities were not ready with an indictment against Jesus Christ. Still, whether Pilate participated or did not take part in arresting the Lord Christ, he was a Roman governor who was proud of being just and of making sure that the legal steps were in order. They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, 32 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 114: 2. 33 Homilies on St. John, 83: 4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ We would not have delivered Him up to you.” [30] Pilate asked them politely what accusation they brought against Jesus. This was his duty as an officer of the kingdom. At the same time he revealed his disturbance because of the rioters. But the answer of those who denounced Christ revealed their inability to assert their claim against Him and still persisted in their violence. They could not bring a specific accusation against Christ such as He was a traitor, a murderer, or an instigator to riot. They brought a general accusation saying He was an ‘evildoer.’ They were forcing Pilate to unwillingly do what they desired. But Pilate did not wish to collaborate with them. The plaintiffs were not polite in talking to Pilate. He went out to them and asked them what accusation they brought against Christ. But they arrogantly mentioned no accusation but considered Pilate’s question a form of mistrust in them and their judgment. They said, “If He were not an evildoer we would not have delivered Him up to you.” The Jews did not want Pilate to be the judge. They wanted him to carry the penalty into effect. As though they had the right to judge, but the governor had no right to know the accusation and to discuss it with them. They wanted to judge and Pilate to enforce their judgment. This was quite unreasonable. * What madness! Why do you not mention the evil acts instead of hiding them? Why do you not give evidence of that evil? Do you not see that they avoided direct accusation because they were incapable of saying anything? Annas asked Him about His doctrine and listened to Him then sent Him to Caiaphas. Caiaphas also questioned Him and as he discovered that He did nothing that was wrong, he sent Him to Pilate. Pilate asked, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” Even then they found nothing to say. Pilate was then confused.34 Saint John Chrysostom Then Pilate said to them, “You take Him and judge Him according to your law.” Therefore the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” [31] The Jewish religious leaders may have thought that the act of delivering up a Jew to the imperial ruler is enough to prove his evil doing and crime. For, it is impossible for the leaders of a colonized country to deliver up to the colonial governor a person to condemn him to death for no reason. However this thought did not suit the Roman ruler whose duty was to enforce the law and the correct legislative procedures. He considered this a kind of irregularity and therefore said, ‘If He broke your law, you take Him and judge Him according to your law. This is not my responsibility and Romans care nothing for this.’ The Romans did not want to be involved in the local legal problems of the settlements. They left them to the leaders and local judges since those problems did not concern national security. Some writers observe that Pilate, here, reminds the Jews of their ill conduct and their abuse of their authority. That was why the Romans deprived them of the right to condemn a person to death. It is as though he was saying to them, ‘Because you have abused your authority, the nation has taken from you the right to condemn anyone to death. Why, then, do you condemn 34 Homilies on St. John, 83: 4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Jesus and ask me to execute your verdict without real judgment? You take Him and judge Him if that is your authority. Or give me the indictment and let me investigate and examine the accusation so that I may not commit an error or be your partner.’ Lightfoot says that the Jews were not allowed to inflict capital punishment for forty years before the destruction of Jerusalem. The Jews admitted this fact several times. It is said that the Sanhedrim, influenced by some religious leaders, refused for a long time to condemn a Jew to death because they considered him a son of God no matter what he was, a robber or an evildoer. As a result, the number of criminals and thieves increased. Evil spread and the law was as asleep. The law did not move and left it to the ruler– even if he was a pagan – to deal with the criminals. This was a divine dispensation because if the Sanhedrim had condemned Jesus to death as an evildoer or blasphemer, etc., they would have stoned Him instead of crucifying Him. And so that we may be redeemed from the curse of the law, it was necessary that the Son of Man should be hung on the Cross. The Jews were not allowed to sentence anyone to death by crucifixion. But the Sanhedrim had the right to inflict death by stoning. We then do not wonder that a woman caught in adultery was brought to the Lord Jesus Christ to judge her, for it was necessary according to the Law of Moses that she should be stoned. The Lord did not break the law but demanded that he who was without sin let him throw a stone at her first. No one among the crowd was without sin. Again, we are told that the Jews stoned to death Stephen the deacon and first martyr without asking permission of the Roman authorities (Acts 7: 58). * The Jews said, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” They meant this was not lawful at that particular time. For, they put many to death as is shown in the case of Stephen the martyr whom they stoned. However, they desired to crucify Jesus to defame Him. Saint John Chrysostom ‘…that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled which He spoke, signifying by what death He would die.’ [32] The Jewish leaders refused to sentence the Lord to death by stoning because that would have roused the people especially that the multitudes coming from many towns crowded the city. The people might have heard about the Lord Jesus Christ and wanted to meet Him. But, if the ruler were the judge, the people would not revolt. They might distrust Jesus because an authority that was not religious condemned Him. What is more important is that His crucifixion was a fulfillment of God’s plan that He had revealed through the Law and the prophets. 8 – A Discourse with Pilate ‘Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, Called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”’ [33] https://coptic-treasures.com/ Why did Pilate ask Him that question? There are many opinions. 1- Some say that Pilate began to relate with the person of the Lord Jesus Christ and realized that He was a strange, yet esteemed and respectful person even though He was delivered up to him as a prisoner who must die. Inside the Praetorium, far from the Jewish leaders and rebellious multitudes, Pilate had a chance to be alone with the Lord Jesus. It was as though the Lord who was rejected by His people, had gone to the Roman world outside to announce His own Self. 2- Others observe that Pilate as a judge who wanted justice and truth was obliged to hear all those involved so that he might know whether the accusations against Jesus were true or false. 3- Other commentators believe that Pilate spoke sarcastically. For, if Jesus spoke the truth, Pilate said to Him mockingly, “What is truth?” This question may have meant, ‘Are You the king of the Jews, the Messiah whom they expect to save them from colonialism? Are You the king of the Jews who hate You and deliver You up to death? Are You the lawful king and actual king czar? According to this group Christ did not answer Pilate because Pilate did not wish to learn the truth but was speaking ironically. Jesus, therefore, did not show him His pearls. * As Pilate wanted to avoid the hostility of the Jews, he did not ignore them. He offered to examine Christ for a long time and therefore he entered and ‘called Jesus.’ Saint John Chrysostom Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, Or did others tell you this concerning Me?” [34] Here it is clear that Pilate was undecided between, on the one hand, his longing to know the person of Christ whether He had true authority or not, and on the other hand, the controversial rumors the Jews spread about Him. As though the Lord asked Pilate to think seriously about the matter so that he may know who He is. * The Lord did not ask Pilate this question because He did not know what was in Pilate’s mind. His question was rather a criticism of the Jews. He rebuked Pilate by saying, ‘You heard what the Jews said. So why do you not investigate?’ Saint John Chrysostom Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?’” [35] Pilate was not satisfied. He, in disdain, said he did not care because this matter concerned the Jews. It did not concern him. He relinquished his responsibility and said he was not a Jew and those who had delivered Him were of His nation and chief priests. Pilate’s only responsibility was that of a judge. https://coptic-treasures.com/ * Here Pilate wishes to shirk involvement in this matter. When he asked, ‘are You a king?’ Jesus rebuked him saying, ‘This is what you heard the Jews said. Why do you not examine the matter carefully? They said I was an evildoer. Ask them what evil I did. You are not doing that, for you are simply bringing accusations against Me.’35 Saint John Chrysostom Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; But now My kingdom is not from here.” [36] * The Lord addressed Pilate, for he was not very bad. Pilate was not like them, so He desired to show him that He was not a mere man, but was God, the Son of God.36 Saint John Chrysostom The Word, having taken the form of a bondservant, did not deny that He was the King. He had honor and authority neither according to the thought of the Jews, nor according to Pilate’s opinion. His kingdom was within the heart. It controlled the hearts and minds because it was the divine Truth. Pilate thought that Christ’s words meant that He considered Himself a King, although He stood before him as a prisoner whom the leaders of His nation accused and condemned to death. The Lord stressed that His kingdom was not from this world. First: His kingdom is not of this world like the evil kingdoms that extend over the seas and earth (Daniel 7: 3; Rev 13: 1, 11). The capital of His kingdom is Jerusalem, the city of God coming from heaven (Rev 22: 2). Second: The nature of His kingdom is not of the earth. It is a kingdom in human hearts (Luke 16: 21). It grows in the hearts and conscience. Its wealth and possibilities are spiritual and its glory is within (Rom 14: 17). Third: The guards of His kingdom are not of the earth and their weapons are spiritual. They do not need temporal weapons of the earth. Therefore He forbade His disciples to defend Him. To satisfy Pilate a little the Lord Christ said that His kingdom was not of this world, else He would have had an army to defend Him. For, the Lord would not engage in the special issues of this world, especially those concerning authority, but at the same time He is a King on a higher level than the kingdoms of the world. Fourth: The design of His kingdom is not temporal. He therefore did not permit His disciples to be drawn out to false glory and human greatness. Fifth: The inhabitants and citizens of His kingdom are not of this world. They live in this world but are not of it. They enjoy a new spiritual birth. God’s Spirit guides them and they rejoice in divine wisdom and have divine wealth. 35 Homilies on St. John, 83: 4. 36 Homilies on St. John, 83: 4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Through the Spirit of prophecy, the prophet, Isaiah, had a vision of a King of the people through the Cross. Isaiah said, “Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people” (Is 55: 4). His kingdom is not like the kingdoms of the world where ‘truth fails’ (Is 59: 15). The Lord Christ’s answer to Pilate means that He is not a king as Pilate thinks. He is not a political king like the kings of nations. He is not a king who through rebellion will free this people from Roman rule. At the same time He is a heavenly King not of this world and does not need an army to defend Him and support His power. Pilate certainly could not understand this distinction and he therefore made light of Christ’s answer. Pilate may also have been confused because he could not understand what the accused said, for Pilate had never heard such words. * The Lord put an end to Pilate’s suspicions…Pilate thought that Jesus would obtain power as a king. But is Christ’s kingdom not in this world? His kingdom is certainly in this world also. How then does He say, “My kingdom is not of this world”? This does not mean that He does not govern here, but that His Empire is from above. It is not a human empire; it is much greater and more sublime. But if it is greater, how come He has become a captive? He willingly delivered Himself up. But He does not announce it now. What does He say? “If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight; so that I should not be delivered” [36]. Here He reveals the weakness of this earthly kingdom, for it depends on servants, but the kingdom above is selfsufficient and needs nothing.37 Saint John Chrysostom * Come to the kingdom that is not of this world. Come. Believe and do not, out of fear, fall in anger. He truly said in a prophetic words ascribed to God the Father, “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion” (Ps 2: 6). He set Him on the hill of Zion, not a king on the world. For, what is His kingdom but those who believe in Him and to whom He says, ‘You are not of this world, as I am not of this world.’ And yet He desires that they stay in the world so that His words to the Father concerning them may be fulfilled. For He said, “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one” (Jn 17: 15).38 * They were of the world as long as they were not of His kingdom. They were then related to the ruler of this world. All humanity was of the world. Indeed, the good God created mankind, but corruption was born of Adam who succumbed and became a corrupt lump under judgment. Then it became a kingdom not of the world as it was renewed through Christ. For, thus God has delivered us from the power of darkness and carried us into the kingdom of the Son of His love (Col 1: 13). Concerning this kingdom He says, “My kingdom is not of this world” or ‘My kingdom is not here.’39 Saint Augustine Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?” 37 Homilies on St. John, 83: 4. 38 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 115: 2. 39 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 115: 2. https://coptic-treasures.com/ Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, And for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” [37] With fiery words the Lord Jesus Christ Himself affirms that He is a King who bears witness to the truth. He says that everyone who is of the truth hears His voice [37]. He is King through His eternal birth of the Father and as the divine Word. But this truth no one can accept but he who is of the truth and in the truth. Pilate himself could neither understand that truth, nor hear His voice. The Lord came so that He should bear witness to the truth. The Old Testament says that God was “the God of truth” (Ps 31: 5; Is 65: 16). We read in the New Testament about “the truth of God” (Rom 15: 8) that the pagans exchanged for the false and the lie (Rom 1: 25). The truth is the essence of God and Jesus Christ says, “I am the truth” (Jn 14: 6). “Everyone who is of the truth”: We read in this Gospel about those who are ‘of the earth’ (3: 31), those who are ‘of the world’ (15: 19). We read about those who are ‘of God’ (8: 47), and those who are ‘of Satan their father’ (8: 44), those who are ‘from beneath, and those who are from above’ (8: 23). This Gospel thus distinguishes between two groups: one from above related to heaven and to God and to truth; and the second group is from beneath, related to the earth, to this evil world and to Satan. There is no third group in between. * He was born a King and all His other attributes are of His birth. He did not obtain anything in addition. When we hear, “For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself (5: 26) we consider nothing outside His birth, and so are all the remaining qualities.40 * When they said that He was an evildoer and could not prove it, He stood silent. But when He was asked about His kingdom, He spoke to Pilate declaring to him and guiding him to things above. But why did Pilate ask Him in the absence of the Jews when he left them and entered the Praetorium? He expected great news and wanted to know everything in detail about the problems of the Jews. Christ answered, “My kingdom is not of this world” that means, ‘I am truly King but not as what you might expect, I am much more sublime.’ With these words and the words that follow He indicated that He did not do evil.41 Saint John Chrysostom * Not everyone who hears My voice is of the truth, but whoever is of the truth hears My voice because this is a gift that Truth grants him. This means that through the abundant grace of Christ we believe in Christ.42 Saint Augustine Pilate said to Him, 40 Homilies on St. John, 83: 4. 41 Hom. 84. PG 59: 498. 42 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 115: 4. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, And said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.” [38] Pilate asked a very important question: “What is truth?” But he did not wait for the answer. Instead he went out to the Jews to tell them that he found no fault at all in Jesus. Pilate may have asked the question really wishing to know the truth, but his preoccupation with other business did not give him a chance to enjoy the answer and experience the truth. This is how we often behave in our prayers when we ask God but do not wait for His answer. Pilate appears as a friend of Jesus. He seems to have loved Him and sympathized with Him. For, he openly declared His innocence and that he found no fault in Him to condemn Him to death. When they forced him, he said he would decree nothing of himself, but would execute their judgment. Pilate tried every means to dissuade them from their decision. It is difficult to evaluate the character of Pilate. It is clear that he was quite convinced that Jesus Christ was innocent and that they enviously and cunningly delivered Him up. Pilate feared the people might rise against him if he released Jesus. It is possible to say that he wished to be just and honest but without causing trouble. For, he was not ready for any sacrifice on his part to support justice and truth. “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” [39] This custom was in honor of the Passover, a commemoration of freedom from the slavery of Pharaoh. However, they turned the custom of honor to a breaking of the law that says, “He that justifies the wicked, and he that condemns the just, even they both are abominations to the Lord” (Prov 17: 15). * Observe how he acted wisely. He did not say, ‘As He is not guilty and should not be condemned to death, forgive Him as a grant of the Passover.’ He rather declared His innocence first, then asked them if they still did not wish to drop His case: since He is innocent, they could still forgive Him in honor of the Feast even though He might be guilty.43 Saint John Chrysostom * We do not blame you, O Jews, for releasing a criminal at the Passover. We blame you for killing the innocent. Nevertheless, if that did not happen, the true Passover would not have been fulfilled and the shadow of the truth would have remained for the sinning Jews. Through the dispensation of the wonderful divine Wisdom, the truth of the shadow was realized by means of the deceptive men. For, Christ was brought as a lamb to the slaughter as a sacrifice so that the true Passover might be observed.44 Saint Augustine Then they all cried again, saying, 43 Homilies on St. John, 84: 1. 44 St. Augustine: On the Gospel of St. John, tractate, 115: 5. https://coptic-treasures.com/ “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.” [40] Pilate did not find any fault at all in Jesus to convict Him. To give the angry people a chance, he suggested releasing the innocent Man on the occasion of the Passover. In spite of his legal authority, Pilate could not oppose the furious multitudes who asked for the release of Barabbas rather than Jesus. They asked him to set Barabbas the robber free and to kill Jesus. For, Barabbas could not rob them of the seat of Moses on which they sat. But Jesus, according to them, withdrew that seat from them and robbed them of their false traditions. It is astonishing that Barabbas in Aramaic means “the son of the father.” He was a man who was known to have committed murder and fornication. Here, the world refuses the true “Son of the Father” and releases the man who has the name only but whose profession is robbery. The word “robber” in Aramaic is ‘archilestess’ that means ‘a gang leader.’ Some believe that Barabbas was a leader of a group of thieves who committed much bloodshed and threatened the Roman ruler (Luke 23: 19). They stupidly preferred the robber, the symbol of sin, rather than the Holy Righteous. The human being often chooses his physical lusts rather than the joy of righteousness in Christ. +++ https://coptic-treasures.com/ Meditations Inspired by the Gospel of St John Chapter 18 Your Sufferings Reveal Your Glory + The hour of Your suffering has come. It is the hour of Your glory. You willingly entered the garden with Your disciples. You, O the Sun of Righteousness entered and waited For the procession of darkness to come to You. They carried swords and sticks to capture You. All nature expected a word from You to destroy them. They carried torches to look for the Sun of Righteousness! They all did not realize You willingly delivered Yourself up to them For the sake of Your wonderful love of their salvation. + They wanted to arrest You But they fell down on their faces You delivered Yourself up to them So they bound You cruelly, lest You should escape. Your hands bled Yet with love You healed the wound of the servant Malchus! + They took You to the high priest in the dark night You who desire to take them with Your Holy Spirit to Your divine glamorous light. The evil high priest advised that it is better that You should die for the nation. He did not understand that You are the heavenly High Priest That You die to end the death of the human race And You rise to raise them up with You. + The high priest enveloped himself with religious temporary popular authority But everybody abandoned you One disciple betrayed you, and another denied you The power of the high priest is in human evanescent inner possibilities But you are the Power, Word and Wisdom of God Your divine glory does not need human support! + They delivered you up: You the King of kings to a human ruler. They demanded that you should be killed as an evildoer The governor found no fault in you at all! He used every means so that he might not do what was against his conscience! But the stubborn people insisted murdering you. They accepted Caesar as their only king and rejected your kingdom. They released Baraboo so that you should be crucified, you who are all goodness! + In weakness Pilate gave you up to be crucified. For he could not lose Caesar’s friendship as a price for justice. https://coptic-treasures.com/ All the powers of darkness gathered against You And did not know that by doing so, they revealed the Light of Your glory!}

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