A True and False Exam John 18:15-40

In the latter part of the gospel, you will find references to “the other disciple” (18:15). In the Easter story “the other disciple” outruns Peter to the tomb (John 20:3). At the crucifixion, he is called “the disciple whom Jesus loved (John 19:26).” That disciple is none other than John himself. He here claims to have been with Peter when he denied Jesus. The denials happen right outside the high priest’s house.

At the same time, Jesus is interrogated by Annas. Because he doesn’t “cave in” to the high priest he is abused. Annas sends Jesus to his nephew, Caiaphas (the one with whom the role of high priest was exchanged year after year).

The second and third denials happen at the same location. One of them is Malchus’ relative (Jesus followers rarely get away with anything). In the synoptics, Peter’s Galilean accent is also cited as evidence. The rooster crows and Jesus’ prediction of the denials in John 13:31-38 is fulfilled.

Note already that several laws have been broken. There were to be no secret trials and they were only to happen in the daytime. There also had to be corroborating witnesses (which there were not). But the accusers of Jesus have a problem. Their real charge is blasphemy for claiming to be God’s Son. Jewish law called for the death penalty for such a crime, but Roman law did not allow the Jews to enforce it. They would need something else, which they eventually did – the charge of sedition (for claiming to be king). Jesus claims to be a king of a “different kingdom” (the kingdom of God).

The trial finishes with the famous line of Pilate, “What is truth?” We need not get too philosophical over this question. Pilate was a master manipulator with almost no conscience. Truth was what he decided or what other powerful people decided was truth. Interestingly, the passage shows how distorted things would get. The pre-chosen group chooses to free Barabbas (a known seditionist and insurrectionist). The name Bar-abbas was certainly an alias, literally meaning “son of papa.” How ironic that the “son of papa” goes free, while the true son of the Father is prepared for crucifixion.

The other interesting tradition is that Barabbas’ real name might have been Jesus. The people may have been choosing between Jesus who is called Bar-abbas and Jesus who is called Christ. Pilate asks “What is truth?” and the people choose the lie. Again, we see the power of corrupt spiritual leadership and the depths to which it will go.