And Simon Peter followed Jesus
It is certain, he first fled with the rest, and forsook him, as
they all did, notwithstanding his resolution to abide by him;
however, he was very desirous to know what would become of Jesus,
and what would be the issue of things; with this view he followed
him, and not to deny him; though that was the consequence. Other
evangelists say he followed him afar off, at a distance, (
Matthew
26:58 ) ( Mark 14:54 ) ( Luke 22:54 ) ; which
showed some fear; and yet to follow him at all discovered love
and zeal. To follow Christ is a property of his sheep, and is
highly commendable, especially to follow him in sufferings; a
greater character a person cannot well have, than to be a
follower of Jesus, in the exercise of grace, in the discharge of
duty, and in bearing the cross; and yet it does not appear that
Peter did well in following Christ now; for Christ had cautioned
him of his over confidence, had hinted to him that he should deny
him, and had dismissed him, and took his leave of him, and the
rest, on whose discharge he insisted, when he was apprehended, (
John 18:8 ) ;
And so did another disciple, and that disciple was known
unto the
high priest.
This is thought to be the Apostle John, because he frequently
speaks of himself, without mentioning his name; and these two,
Peter and John, were generally together; and certain it is, that
John was present at the cross at the time of Christ's
crucifixion; and who is supposed to be known to the high priest,
by carrying fish to his house, and selling it to him; so Nonnus
says, he was known from his fishing trade: but it is not probable
that he was known, or could be known by the high priest, so as to
have any intimacy with him; nor is it likely that he, being a
Galilaean, would venture in; he was discoverable by his speech,
and would have been in equal danger with Peter; rather it was
some one of the disciples of Christ, who had not openly professed
him; one of the chief rulers that believed in him, but, for fear
of the Pharisees, had not confessed him; it may be Nicodemus, or
Joseph of Arimathea, or the man at whose house Christ had eaten
the passover. In the Syriac version he is called one of the other
disciples; not of the twelve, but others. However, through his
knowledge of the high priest, he
went in with Jesus into the palace of the high
priest;
not Annas, but Caiaphas; for Christ was now brought from Annas's
house to Caiaphas's, where the Scribes and elders were assembled
together.