ACC ~ John 18 v25

WEAKNESS OF HUMAN NATURE EXPOSED

CHRYSOSTOM: The once fervid disciple was now lethargic when Jesus was being led away! After such things as had taken place, he does not move but still warms himself. This happened so that you might learn how great the weakness of our nature is if God abandons us. And, being questioned, he denies again. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 83.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:309-10**

WHO ARE PETER’S QUESTIONERS?

AUGUSTINE: Here we find that Peter’s second denial occurred, not when he was at the door but as he was standing by the fire. This, however, could not have been the case, so that he must have returned after he had gone out of doors, where Matthew says he was. It was not that he went out, and then another woman sees him on the outside. Rather, another woman saw him as he was getting up to go out, and she made a remark about him. She told those who were near, that is, those who were standing with her at the fire inside the hall, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” He heard this outside and returned and swore, “I do not know the man.” … Then John continues, “They said, ‘Are not you also one of his disciples?’” These words were probably said to him when he had come back and was standing at the fire. And this explanation is confirmed by the fact that, besides the other woman mentioned by Matthew and Mark in the second denial, there was another person mentioned by Luke who also questioned him. So John uses the plural. “They said therefore to him.” … When we compare all the Evangelists on this, we come clearly to the conclusion that Peter’s second denial took place not when he was at the door but when he was within, by the fire in the court. It becomes evident, therefore, that Matthew and Mark, who have told us how he went outside, have left the fact of his return unnoticed simply with a view to brevity. … And then follows the third denial. HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 3.6.24-25. [1]

[1] CSEL 43:296-98; NPNF 1 6:188**.

Jn