57 Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.
Waiting on delivery of their “package,” the religious leaders had gathered back in Jerusalem at the house of the high priest. The plan that began in Matthew 26:6 was unfolding on schedule. Caiaphas, a high priest, presided over the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of Israel; he was the most powerful man in Judea next to the Roman governor. In Roman times this office was held by political appointment of the Roman governor. Caiaphas was appointed eleven years before John the Baptist and continued until after the resurrection.
He is the one who had earlier calmed down the ruling party’s anxiety, “…you [do not] take into account that it is expedient for you that one man die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” (John 11:50). Later, after the ascension and Pentecost, Caiaphas presided at the inquisition of Peter and John following the first apostolic healing. Their response to the most powerful man in Israel was that their power to heal came from Jesus “whom you crucified” and whose name alone is the means of salvation (Acts 4:6-12).
The scribes who were also there when Jesus arrived were experts concerning the Law of Moses, which was the defining constitution of Israel. And of course there were the older, respected men, whose judgment was held in high regard. All petty disagreements were set aside (no mention of the Pharisees and Sadducees who made up the ruling council). The old saying, “A common foe makes strange bedfellows” is certainly true in this case. They had the same goal, namely to silence Jesus, who was seen as a threat to them all.
Peter, loyal as he thought himself to be, followed the arresting party at a distance. We have no indication what he was thinking or planning, but it would probably not be far off mark to imagine his mind racing to devise a plan of his own to spring the Master loose. He even dared to enter the courtyard of Caiaphas’ house with the officers. The soldiers there were probably not involved in the “arrest” of Jesus, for there is no mention of them being part of the incoming crowd. But, surely there would be some of the mob milling around who arrested Jesus in the Garden, maybe even Caiaphus’ servant whose ear Peter had sliced off—it was Caiaphus’ courtyard after all that Peter was in. Despite his impetuousness and the risk, he wanted to be with His Master!
Lord, help me to be faithful to You even when others oppose You, and by association, oppose me. I want to be with You when the difficult times of life hit.
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