John 18:16 Commentary and Bible Study

John appears to have gone right in to the hearing, whereas Peter is left in the courtyard and he does not have the same privilege, the necessary standing. He was held up at the door it appears by the maid who kept the door for the high priest. Perhaps he is fearful. He realises now he is in the high priest’s house in the courtyard. He has attempted to kill Malchus, the high priest’s servant. He has severed an ear, it has been restored but surely if anyone is going to be recognised and accused of being a disciple of the Lord, it will be him. And may be now, he starts to quake and be afraid. So the other disciple, who knew he was there, went out and spoke to the maid on the door and said, Let him in. Some people think that this is recorded in John’s Gospel almost as a half confession, almost as if it is John, this other disciple, and he is saying, I put him in this position and it was very foolish of me. I put him in the position where he would ever be challenged and deny the Lord.