Homilies on the Gospel of St. John and the Epistle to the Hebrews

NPNF (V1-14)St. Chrysostom307followed, or cry him up for his manliness. But the wonder was that matter of Peter, that being insuch fear, he came even as far as the hall, when the others had retreated. His coming thither wascaused by love, his not entering within by distress and fear. For the Evangelist hath recorded thesethings, to clear a way for excusing his denial; with regard to himself, he doth not set it down as anygreat matter that he was known to the high priest, but since he had said that he alone with Jesuswent in, lest thou shouldest suppose that the action proceeded from any exalted feelings, he putsalso the cause. And that Peter would have also entered had he been permitted, he shows by thesequel; for when he went out, and bade the damsel who kept the door bring in Peter, he straightwaycame in. But why did he not bring him in himself? He clung to Christ, and followed Him; on thisaccount he bade 2402 the woman bring him in. What then saith the woman?Ver. 17 . “Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? And he saith, I am not.” 2403What sayest thou, Peter? Didst thou not declare but now, “If need be that I lay down my lifefor Thee, I will lay it down”? What hath happened then, that thou canst not even endure thequestioning of a door-keeper? Is it a soldier who questions thee? Is it one of those who seized Him?No, it is a mean and abject door-keeper, nor is the questioning of a rough kind. 2404 She saith not,“Art thou a disciple of that cheat and corrupter,” but, “of that man,” which was the expression ratherof one pitying and relenting. 2405 But Peter could not bear any of these words. The, “Art not thoualso,” is said on this account, that John was within. So mildly did the woman speak. But he perceivednone of this, nor took it into his mind, neither the first time, nor the second, nor the third, but whenthe cock crew; nor did this even bring him to his senses, till Jesus gave him the bitter look. And hestood warming himself 2406 with the servants of the high priest, but Christ was kept bound within.This we say not as accusing Peter, but showing the truth of what had been said by Christ.Ver. 19 . “The high priest then asked Jesus of His disciples, and of His doctrine.”[3.] O the wickedness! Though he had continually heard Him speaking in the temple and teachingopenly, he now desires to be informed. For since they had no charge to bring, they enquiredconcerning His disciples, perhaps where they were, and why He had collected them, and with whatintention, and on what terms. And this he said, as desiring to prove Him to be a seditious personand an innovator, since no one gave heed to Him, except them alone, as though His were somefactory of wickedness. What then saith Christ? To overthrow this, He saith,Ver. 20 . “I spake openly to the world, (not to the disciples privately,) I taught openly in thetemple.” 2407“What then, said He nothing in secret?” He did, but not, as they thought, from fear, and to makeconspiracies, but if at any time His sayings were too high for the hearing of the many.Ver. 21 . “Why askest thou Me? Ask them which heard Me.” 24082402al. “ gave in charge. ”2403Ver. 17 . “ Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not, ” &c. N.T.2404θρασεῖα2405lit. “ bent, ” κατακαμπτομένης2406Ver. 18 . “ And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; and they warmed themselves; andPeter stood with them, and warmed himself. ”2407“ Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jewsalways resort; and in secret have I said nothing. ” N.T.2408“ which heard Me, what I have said unto them; behold, they know what I said. ” N.T.462