John 18:15-16

Peter’s First Denial

18:15 Simon Peter and another disciple followed them as they brought Jesus to Annas. ¹  (Now the other disciple ²  was acquainted with the high priest, and he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard.) ³  18:16 But Simon Peter was left standing outside by the door. So the other disciple who was acquainted with the high priest came out and spoke to the slave girl who watched the door, ⁴  and brought Peter inside.

John 18:19

Jesus Questioned by Annas

18:19 While this was happening, ⁵  the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. ⁶ 

John 18:22

18:22 When Jesus ⁷  had said this, one of the high priest’s officers who stood nearby struck him on the face and said, ⁸  “Is that the way you answer the high priest?”

[18:15]  ¹ tn The words “them as they brought Jesus to Annas” are not in the Greek text, but are supplied to clarify who Peter and the other disciple were following. Direct objects were often omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

[18:15]  ² tn Grk “that disciple.”

[18:15]  ³ sn This is a parenthetical note by the author.

[18:16]  ⁴ tn Grk “spoke to the doorkeeper”; her description as a slave girl is taken from the following verse. The noun θυρωρός (qurwro") may be either masculine or feminine, but the article here indicates that it is feminine.

[18:19]  ⁵ tn The introductory phrase “While this was happening” is not in the Greek text. It has been supplied in the translation to clarify the alternation of scenes in the narrative for the modern reader.

[18:19]  ⁶ sn The nature of this hearing seems to be more that of a preliminary investigation; certainly normal legal procedure was not followed, for no indication is given that any witnesses were brought forth at this point to testify against Jesus. True to what is known of Annas’ character, he was more interested in Jesus’ disciples than in the precise nature of Jesus’ teaching, since he inquired about the followers first. He really wanted to know just how influential Jesus had become and how large a following he had gathered. This was of more concern to Annas that the truth or falsity of Jesus’ teaching.

[18:22]  ⁷ tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[18:22]  ⁸ tn Grk “one of the high priest’s servants standing by gave Jesus a strike, saying.” For the translation of ῥάπισμα (rJapisma), see L&N 19.4.