The Courtyard of Denial

John 18:12 Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him 13 and brought him first to Annas, who was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, the high priest that year. 14 Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it would be good if one man died for the people. 15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not." 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself. 19 Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. 21 Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." 22 When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. 23 "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?" 24 Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest. 25 As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not." 26 One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the olive grove?" 27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

Outside the Church of St. Peter is the courtyard where Peter denied Jesus three times.

There is a stone trail that is believed to be the path Jesus was led on as he was taken captive from the Garden of Gethsemane to the house of Caiphas. The steps actually predate Jesus by 100-150 years. Jesus walked on these steps!

You can see how the courtyard of the high priest is on the hill above looking out on the Kidron Valley. You can see the Mount of Olives across the way. The Church of All Nations with its golden dome commemorates the place where Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.

In the courtyard is a statue commemorating Peter's denial at the questioning of a young servant girl. At the top of the pole is the rooster who crowed. Inscribed on the statue is “Non novi illum” which means “I do not know him.” (Luke 22:57)

As we sat in the courtyard of Peter’s denial we sang, “Jesus! And Shall It Ever Be.” We prayed that we would never be ashamed to admit to knowing Jesus.

Jesus! and shall it ever be
A mortal man ashamed of thee?
Ashamed of thee, whom angels praise,
Whose glories shine through endless days?

Ashamed of Jesus? Just as soon
Let midnight be ashamed of noon.
'Tis midnight with my soul till he,
Bright Morning Star, bids darkness flee.

Ashamed of Jesus, that dear friend
On whom my hopes of heav'n depend?
No; when I blush, be this my shame,
That I no more revere his name.

Ashamed of Jesus? Yes, I may
When I've no guilt to wash away,
No tear to wipe, no good to crave,
No fear to quell, no soul to save.

Till then -- nor is my boasting vain
Till then I boast a Savior slain;
And oh, may this my glory be:
That Christ is not ashamed of me.