Verse 11. Wherefore Jesus said to Peter, thrust the knife into the scissor: The cup which the Father hath given me, shall thou not drink it? [1005] By the cup is meant death. Thus, Jesus Christ says: Shall I not suffer the death to which My Father was pleased to suffer? this is the meaning of the word "dade," but on the contrary, I will endure it, because I desire the same thing that the Father also desires. The above-mentioned chapter is about this as well.

Verses 12–13. And Spira, and the thousand men, and the servants of Judaism, took Jesus, and bound him, and brought him to Anna first: for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was the bishop of that year. [1006] (For joy they boasted of this deed, as if they were presenting some kind of trophy, and took Him to Annas first, since Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, revered him as a father, on account of such family ties). Read also the explanation in the twenty-sixth chapter of Matthew's Gospel of the words: "And Jesus was led to Caiaphas by the bishops" (v. 57).

Verse 14. And Caiaphas gave advice to the Jews, that it is not for one man to die for men. [1007] In order that anyone who would not be confused when he heard that Jesus Christ was bound, the Evangelist reminds him of the prophesied saying of Caiaphas, showing that Jesus Christ died for the benefit of the people, i.e., for the salvation of people, as Caiaphas put it.

Verse 15. And Simon Peter and the other disciple walked after Jesus... [1008] The other disciple is John himself. See the explanation of the words: "And Peter walked after Him from afar to the court of the bishop" (Matt. 26:58). [1009]

Verses 15–16... And that disciple knew the bishops, and went with Jesus into the courtyard of the bishops. And Peter stood at the door outside... [1010] Pay attention to the humility and brotherly love of the evangelist. In order that no one should praise him for having entered with Jesus Christ, nor reproach Peter for remaining outside the door, John said that he, as an acquaintance of the high priest, was allowed to enter, but Peter, as a stranger, was not allowed, but still remained at the door, which was rather a praise to Peter.

Verses 16–17... For the disciple came out, whom the bishops knew, and spoke to the door, and brought Peter in. And the servant's door said to Peter, "Food, and thou art a disciple of this man; He said: "Carry it." [1011] Read the explanation of the sayings from the Gospel of Matthew: "And when he went in, he sat down with the servants, he saw the end" (26, 58),[1012] and also: "Peter is outside sitting in the courtyard." And come unto him, one handmaid (v. 69),[1013] all of which are necessary to the understanding of this verse.

Verse 18. And the servants and servants stood and made fire like winter, and warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them and warmed himself. [1014] The Evangelist shows that he, being with the Master in the inner court, saw and heard everything, but Peter did not know any of this, since he was in the outer court.

Verse 19. The bishop asked Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching... about the disciples he asked, where they were and why He gathered them, and about teaching, what and for what purpose did He teach? The high priest asked Jesus Christ about this, wishing to rebuke Him, as if He were an innovator and rebel, of organizing secret meetings and preaching a new doctrine, although he himself had heard the teaching of Jesus Christ more than once.

Verse 20. Jesus answered him: "I did not hesitate to speak to the world... [1015] I taught openly to the whole people, and not only to the disciples.

Verse 20... I am always taught in the congregations and in the church, where the Jews are always suppressed, and there is nothing to say in secret... [1016] nothing that you suppose, that is, disturbing the people or displeasing to God. And did not Jesus Christ often speak to His disciples in secret? Yes, but he did not say anything that the high priest had intended.

Verse 21. Why do you ask Me? Ask those who have heard that they have said to them, Behold, these are leading, as they are. [1017] These are not the words of one who is proud, but confident in the truth of His teaching. Why do you ask Me? ask the questions of those who heard, not only the disciples, but also others who did not even believe in Me.

Verse 22. And this I said to him, the only one of the servants who were coming to strike Jesus on the cheek, saying, "Thus dost thou rebuke the bishops?" [1018] Heaven tremble, the earth be terrified at such audacity of the slaves and the long-suffering of the Lord! Oh, the most insane! What offensive did the Lord answer? Did He not rather honor the high priest by not exposing the high priest, who with deceitful intent inquired about what he knew? Though He may have scattered them all, smitten them, or destroyed them in some other cruel way, He is long-suffering, and utters words that can tame all atrocities, but not them.

Verse 23.Jesus answered him, "If you speak evil, bear witness to evil: if it is good, that you beat me?" [1019] Bear witness to evil, i.e., say what evil has been said, rebuke him who has said evil (

Jesus Christ justified Himself so that in the event of His silence He would not be considered proud, of which He was accused).