“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter” John 18:15,16.
Who was this unnamed disciple? Many assume it to be John, the “disciple whom Jesus loved,” and certainly there is a good argument presented at this point, for who can be found among the twelve who displayed more excellently an unwavering devotion to the Lord? Even the disciples themselves were seemingly aware. As they sat at supper, Jesus revealed that one of them would shortly betray him. “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved [John] Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him that he should ask who it should be of whom He spake.” John 13:23,24.
Behold this disciple! At great risk and peril to his own life would he follow Jesus; not at a distance as did Peter, but without hesitation entering into the palace of the high priest with Him. What a display of loyalty and commitment; what an expression of love!
The proof is convincing enough; the conclusion is obvious; JOHN must be the unnamed disciple presented in our original text.
But I propose to offer you ample reason why John was not the disciple in question! And along with that, something that should humble our hearts and provoke us to serious soul searching.
At the onset of his public ministry Jesus had called twelve men to follow Him. “And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew, his brother. . .And He saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. He saw two other brethren, James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother. . .and he called them. And they immediately left the ship and theirfather, and followed Him.
Indeed, during the next three years the Lord would exhort many to “follow Him.” “Take up thy cross and follow me,” is recorded in Matt.16:24, Mark 8:34, and Luke 9:23. The rich young ruler was challenged to sell all he had, give to the poor and “follow me” Matt. 19:21, Mark 10:21, and Luke 18:22. In John 10:27 Christ proclaimed to the Jews: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”
I challenge you to study carefully the next three verses before proceeding to read the comments, taking note of the unusual changing of our Lord’s directives.
“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be” John 12:26
“Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards” John 13:36.
“And if I go. . .I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” John 14:3
Notice the similarity of John 12:26 and 14:3: “where I am, there shall also my servant be.” “where I am, there ye may be also.” Those who will follow as a servant shall indeed follow Him again; not only as servants, but as Sons!
“Let not your heart be troubled. . .” But their hearts were troubled. Only a short time before, Jesus had said, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be.” With these words still ringing in their ears, the Master now has seemingly contradicted himself. One minute he is saying follow me, and the next, thou canst not follow me!
Of course we can see what they, at this point, were unable to see: that Christ was now to allow Himself to be taken by wicked hands, to be falsely accused. He would be beaten, be crucified; would suffer death for us. He would be buried, be raised, and ascend to the right hand of the Father as our Great High Priest and Intercessor. All this and more, in order to “prepare a place for us.”
Having “prepared a place for us,” Jesus said, “I will come again, and receive you unto myself; thatwhere I am, there ye may be also.” I Thessalonians 4:16-17 sheds further light: “The Lord Himself shalldescend from Heaven. . .then we. . .shall be caught up. . .to meet the Lord in the air. And so shall we ever be with the Lord.”
I request your patience in allowing me the liberty to build a foundation. Once the foundation is laid, the structure can be quickly framed. The question remains: did John follow Jesus or not?
If we at this point are yet lacking in evidence, let us examine someone who, without question, did follow the Lord.
Let us first observe the dialogue between the Lord Jesus and Simon Peter:
“Lord, whither goest thou?
“Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now;”
“Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?”
“Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.”
“Thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me”
“All ye shall be offended because of me this night:”
“Although all shall be offended, yet will not I”
“Thou shalt deny me thrice”
“I will not deny thee in any wise”
“Lord I am ready to go with thee” - but he wasn’t. “Although all be offended, yet
will not I” - but he was.
“I will not deny thee in any wise” - but he did.
We have before us exhibit number one: the commitment of Simon Peter to the Lord: I will . . . I will not. . .I will not! The problem here is one of self-commitment; Simon is making a commitment to the Lord. However, a careful study of the scriptures clearly teaches a committing unto the Lord; and that, notaccording to the flesh. It is rather a rolling over of our burdens upon His shoulders. We are to commitour lives, our way, our walk, our families, our possessions into His hands for safe-keeping! We are to entrust all, by Faith. Not what I will or will not do, according to the flesh; rather, a yielded, submissive spirit; a spirit of obedience, if you will.
The book of Zechariah, though seldom referenced, is highly prophetic and contains much information not found in Daniel or the Revelation. One such occurrence is found in chapter thirteen and verse seven: “Awake O sword, against my shepherd. . .smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered:” The fulfillment of that scripture being at hand, Jesus relates it to his disciples: “All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad” Matt.26:31, Mk.14:27, John 16:32.
Yet the weight of Old Testament prophesy and the command of Christ Himself, could not deter Simon Peter; he would follow Him anyway! I do not wish to appear unduly harsh in regard to our brother, but it is necessary at this point in order for us to get the full impact. Certainly Peter did love the Lord, but he was operating from the grounds of Self Commitment; it was his will against God’s will, against His Son, against His Word. Had he committed himself to Christ; had he submitted, had he yielded himself, then of necessity would he have “followed” Him in OBEDIENCE. Likewise he could have saved himself a great deal of anguish and sorrow in having denied knowing the Lord.
“Lord, I will follow thee;” but he failed in two counts: in the flesh, he followed afar off. Spiritually, he cannot be said (at this time) to be a follower of Christ, for his “following” was in direct disobedience to his Lord’s command.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” John 14:15, 21. Again, in the same chapter, verse twenty-three; “If a man love me, he will keep my Words.”
Three times does Simon Peter hear a much needed warning and instruction from his Lord: three times does he choose to ignore and deny the Word; three times does he deny the Christ who uttered them.
Do we agree that John is that “disciple whom Jesus loved?” Upon what grounds was this established? Chapter and verse, please!
“He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” John 14:21. O.K.?
Two men: Peter and John. One loved enough to “follow,” the other enough to OBEY. And to obey is to follow!
I submit to you that John did not follow Jesus. But then again, he did! I believe that he loved the Lord enough to obey his Word! This was perhaps the one time that any one could possibly refrain from following the Lord and yet be submissive and obedient to His Word! Yet in not following, he wasfollowing: in obedience to the Word!
“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did “another” disciple: not “the disciple whom Jesus loved!” What sort of logic is there that would make such an issue that Simon not follow Jesus, yet there being no mention of John. Simon, you can’t follow me, but it’s perfectly all right if John does! The question lingers now in someone’s mind: Where was John during those dark hours if he was not the one who entered in trial with Jesus? “Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciplestanding by, whom He loved. . .” all will agree that the disciple whom Jesus loved is John. I would contend that he who was now standing by at the cross, had gone to Mary, to make known the things that were happening; to stand by her. He was even now by her side at the cross.
What about you and me? Whose example most closely resembles our lives? Is it Simon Peter, who was so bent upon a self-commitment unto his Lord; so set upon showing his love and loyalty that he missedthe Truth? Or is our life as John, who so revered the Word of his God that he loved Him, even untoobedience? There is further proof, but it must be held in reserve for the article to follow. Just who is that unnamed disciple?
“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter” John 18:15,16.
In the previous article we attempted to present sufficient scripture and reason as to why John wouldnot have been that unnamed disciple. The argument in favor of his being that disciple is that John appears to have been the one closest to the Lord; who loved Him, and was “that disciple whom Jesus loved.” Therefore he was the logical choice.
However, using the same, we have tried to show that he refrained from following; that he loved the Lord enough to restrain the natural desire to follow at His side; rather choosing to honor His Word inObedience.
In I Corinthians 2:14 we are told that “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God - because they are spiritually discerned.” Much of what is recorded in the Word of God is hidden from the natural eye; even to the natural eye of the believer! Therefore it is imperative that we study; to diligently search and compare scripture with scripture; seeking enlightenment from the Spirit of God. “He shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you” John 15:16.
I fear that we all too often allow ourselves to assume something to be thus and thus, apart from confirmation by Holy Writ. One may reply, “Well I have assurance from the Holy Spirit.” Beware if that confidence be established apart from the revealed Word!
Understand that the Holy Spirit may unveil treasures before your eyes that are unknown to the most learned theologian! But it is unlikely to happen unless one diligently studies and meditates upon spiritual things.
In this instance the Holy Spirit, according to the Eternal Purpose of God, has chosen not to name the disciple in question. He has, however, given us numerous clues from which we shall hopefully compare and correlate evidence.
First, he is called “another disciple;” the word “another,” closely identifying him with Simon Peter.
Second, he went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
Third, both verses in our text consecutively tell us that this disciple was known unto the high priest.
Fourth, there is a closed door and a female sentry there to either allow or reject entrance.
Fifth, “But Peter stood at the door without.” This seems to indicate that he may have been denied entrance. Apparently the mystery disciple cleared for Peter a passage through the door into the palace of the high priest.
Sixth, The unnamed disciple, who had entered that secured door with Jesus, “went out,” and after conferring with the keeper of the door, “brought in Peter.”
Seventh, This disciple then, could come and go at will; was acquainted, it seems, with those employed in the palace: obviously, as the Holy Spirit informs us, “he was known unto the high priest.”
(Some who have thought him to be John, attempt to reconcile all this by suggesting that he was somehow related to the high priest.)
“Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples?”
Then he, who had only minutes before held sword in hand; who had boasted before God and man that he was “ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death,” is subdued by a damsel, a doorkeeper. He who emphatically proclaimed, “I will not deny thee in any wise,” is made is made weak and without strength by a fair maiden. Move over Samson; you have company!
A discerning eye will carefully examine the powerful weapon which she used in combat against Simon Peter: “Art not thou one of this man’s disciples?” No, actually she said, “Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples?” He saith, I am not.”
Peter had been allowed in, at the word of the unidentified disciple. Therefore being obviously acquainted with and knowing this disciple to be a follower of Jesus, she is asking, “Are you also a disciple; do you identify with him; are you even as he is?”
Once inside, there is not even the slightest hint of any communion between Peter and that other disciple. Is there some reason for Peter to avoid being cast into the same mold as his brother/disciple?
“And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They [servants and officers of the high priest] said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples?” He denied it, and said, “I am not.” Notice again the word “also.” Peter has not been seized and bound, nor brought before a court, not beaten or persecuted, not even threatened. No, his attackers are very subtle.
Let us recall now the warning that the Lord had given to him: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat;”
Simon is in the stronghold of Satan; and he has failed to “put on the whole armour of God; that he may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil.” Neither does he carry the “shield of Faith, wherewith he shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked.” He has not protection neither Sword of the Spirit. He has not prayed “always with all prayer and supplication in spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance,” although while in Gethsemane, Christ had warned him to “watch and pray” that he “enter not into temptation.”
But as yet, we have not identified the mystery disciple; well known to the high priest, his servants and officers as a disciple of Christ; yet is seemingly able to maneuver about without restriction.
Who is this mysterious disciple? Why did he enter with Jesus into the palace of the high priest? What business did he have there? How is it that he is known of the high priest, his officers and servants? If they know him as one of Jesus’ disciples, why do they not put him in restraints? Why is it that he appears to pose no threat to any of them? Is there scripture to answer even one of these questions? Is there indeed, any disciple to whom we may associate these matters?
REVEALED AT LAST!I have purposely withheld the identity of the mystery disciple until now; and not without motive. It has long been my contention that if one should have any success as a teacher, he must not only give forth information, but also attempt through his teaching to attempt to provoke others to search the scriptures and study for themselves. There is a sweet communion to be found for those who will learn to meditate upon the things of God!
“And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.” Mark 14:10
“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.” Luke 22:3,4
I would heartily recommend that you lay aside this article in pursuit of spiritual exercise: search and compare the accounts given in the gospels for answers to the previously proposed questions; then return to finish this article!
I suspect that one answer may have surfaced several more questions. Of course it is encouraging when searching for treasure, that you have some idea as to where you should start digging!
Judas Iscariot! The last person anyone would ever consider as being that unidentified disciple. Let us follow the flow of scripture and events to see if we are warranted in naming him as that man of mystery. But to what purpose was Judas clearly identified; then for a few hours not named, and after that, assuming his identity once again? Because he is, during this period of time, something else besides Judas Iscariot. He is that Deceiver, that Wicked One, the Son of Perdition.
“And supper being ended, the Devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot. . . to betray Him;” “Satan entered into him.” John 13:2,27a
Though a disciple of Jesus, “one of the twelve,” he has yielded to Satan, who has entered into him and dominated his will. For a time he is possessed by Satan himself! For all practical purposes, we will not be viewing the person and activities of Judas, but of the Deceiver himself. In II Thessalonians chapter two he is called “that man of sin,” “the son of Perdition,” the “mystery of iniquity,” “that Wicked” “whose coming is after the working of Satan. . .with all deceivableness of unrighteousness.”
Judas was an antichrist and a figure of the final antichrist who is yet to be revealed. Notice for comparison: Judas and Antichrist are both called the “son of Perdition:” That Judas (or should we say Satan) was in the temple for a short time; and it became, in a limited measure, his stronghold. Likewise we are shown in II Thessalonians that. . .“he [antichrist] as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” Ref. Daniel 11:31 and 12:11, Matt. 24:15, Mark 13:14.
As a son of Perdition, Judas’ identity, for a short time, is concealed and not revealed. So will it be with the coming of antichrist; he will come as Light, the hope of Israel, and of the world. His true identity isconcealed for a time. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the Spirit of His mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming.” II Thes.2:8
I have spent far more time in laying a foundation than I originally intended, but I trust you will find it as being time well spent.
“. . .And the chief priests [Annas, recognized as high priest by the Jews in regard to religious matters; Caiaphas, appointed for that year by the Roman government as an advocate involving legal issues] and the scribes sought how they might take Him by craft [trickery, deceit, guile, subtlety] and put Him to death” Mark 14:1
“And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people” Luke 22:2
“And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray Him unto them. And they were glad when they heard it, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray Him” Mark 14:10,11.
“Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being one of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them. And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money. And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray Him unto them in the absence of the multitude” Luke 22:3-6.
Notice: first, Judas approached the high priests and captains. Second, He related unto them his willingness to betray Jesus into their hands. Third, he communed with the chief priests and captains. Fourth, A covenant was made; Judas promised to seek opportunity to betray Him: they promised to give him money: he would “conveniently betray Him” in the “absence of the multitude.” It was a conspiracy, planned in advance.
“Wherefore hear ye the word of the Lord ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement;” “And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand” Isa. 28: 15, 18. This scripture will, of course, have its final fulfillment during the seven year Tribulation when Apostate Jews will enter into a covenant with antichrist, only to have it broken after three and a half years.
Our next scene is in the garden. Notice the progression as we compare the gospels: “cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude. . . from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders”Mark 14:43 “Behold a multitude. . .and Judas. . .went before them” Luke 22:47. “Judas having receiveda band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees” “And Judas stood with them. . .” John 18:3,5.
Amazing is it not, that Judas could have risen to such a position; to have been given such authority. But let us remember to whose power they have really yielded themselves: that Wicked One!
Regretfully, there is much that we must overlook, lest we lose track of the sequence of events in our study.
“And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.”
From the moment that Judas commanded the Jews to “take Him, and lead him away safely:” to the time that Jesus was condemned and led away to Pilate; there is no mention of his name, neither his whereabouts. But strangely enough that “mystery disciple” is seen during that time. What a coincidence! “Another” disciple “appears,” just in time to “go in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest!”
But for what purpose would he continue on when Jesus was already “secured?” First, he had too often seen the Lord elude the Pharisees and Jews, almost, as it would appear, into thin air. Secondly, as a “man of honor” he had made a covenant with the chief priests; he promised to deliver Jesus into their hands, and his job was not finished until he had done so. He would deliver Him personally for the expectation of praise and glory. Thirdly, they had promised to compensate his success with money; the agreement specified payment was to be made C. 0. D. (Cash On Delivery.) This clearly places him inside the palace of the high priest.
“But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was “known unto the high priest,” and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.”
Let us remember now the warning that Simon Peter had received earlier from the Lord: “behold, Satan hath desired to have you [to hold, possess] that he may sift you as wheat.”
Again, that “other disciple” is now more than Judas Iscariot: he is that Deceiver, that Wicked, the Son of Perdition.” Beware, Simon; he who has come forth to bring you into his lair is a roaring lion, a serpent.Yet the serpent has not varied his methods. He is with Peter as he was with Eve: “Now the serpent was more subtle. . .the serpent beguiled me.”
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you. . .to sift you. . .”
Where did the temptation and denial occur? In the palace of the high priest. If Satan himself is going to tempt him, he must needs be there also. If he is there, then where? “Satan entered into him.” (Judas Iscariot) “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples?” These words may have been as the sweetness of honey and appeared as pure and innocent, but behind them lay the treachery of Satan himself.
Often the Lord had confounded the Pharisees who “took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk” Matt. 22:15. But how could anyone else deal with the level of entrapment and the snare which Satan had laid before Simon Peter! Had she asked, Art not thou this man’s disciple, then clearly would he have been identified with Jesus alone. But she asked, “Art not thou ALSO. . .” Now is he being identified with yet “another” disciple; and this one we believe to be him who betrayed the Lord. By now the chief priests, officers, servants - all knew who Judas was and what he had done! Simon had two choices: acknowledge his discipleship and be labeled a co-conspirator and betrayer with Judas - or deny knowing the Lord. The sly, devious maneuvering of the Deceiver had placed him in a seemingly impossible situation. He probably could have made a quick exit out the door; but then, he desired to see what would happen to Jesus.
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not:” Make no mistake: Satan’s ultimate desire was to absolutely destroy his faith! But note the comforting and assuring words of the Lord: “I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not.” Where does faith find its lodging? Is it not in the person of Christ himself? Peter’s denial was in knowing the Lord. He had, at an earlier time, confessed that “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Satan would have desired that he now renounce Him as Christ before present witnesses. Had he done so, he would quickly have been brought before the high priest and the council as a witness against Him!
“Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, Saying, I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.”
We read nothing else about the mystery disciple: but Judas, who has not been mentioned since the garden, suddenly appears. First, he saw that Jesus was condemned. This places him, as we have said, in the palace of the high priest. Second, he brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. He had earlier entered into their presence to deliver Jesus and receive the money: now was he returning again to cast it before them. Third, he repented himself, confessing that he had sinned and had betrayed the innocent blood. But being sorry for woeful circumstances toward oneself cannot save. It is only by “repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.
This scene clearly dictates to us that Satan had departed his being. Having finished with him, both Satan and the chief priests would toss him aside as they would yesterday’s garbage.
“And he. . .departed, and went and hanged himself.” “. . .when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15.
If you recall from the first article, “The Test of Love,” Simon Peter insisted on following the Lord; but his “following” was not unto obedience!
Shortly before our Lord’s departure into heaven, Simon once again finds himself being questioned; this time by Christ. “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me. . .” “Yea, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee.” Three times he denied him; now three times would he confess him.
The Lord is going away; Peter still cannot follow him: but three times does the Great Shepherd of the sheep tell him to “feed my lambs, feed my sheep.” Peter, you can’t go with me now, but I leave my sheep, in your care, until I return!
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” “He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:” “If a man loveth me, he will keep my words.”
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