Definition: And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and [so did] another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from John 18:15. It's a really significant moment in Jesus’ ministry and it highlights a crucial strategic move. Here's what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: Jesus was being troubled by the Jewish leaders who were trying to arrest him. They wanted to bring him to trial for blasphemy. To protect Jesus, Jesus sent his disciples to find another person to help him escape. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “John 18:15” : This is the exact wording of the verse we're focusing on. "And Simon Peter followed Jesus..." : This tells us that Simon, one of Jesus’ closest followers, decided to go with him. "...and [so did] another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest." This is where it gets a bit more complex. "That disciple..." : This means another disciple joined Simon. "...was known unto the high priest..." : This is the key part. The high priest was a powerful and influential leader in the Jewish community, tasked with investigating and punishing suspected criminals. He was essentially the "police" of the time. "...and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest." : This means that this disciple deliberately and secretly went into the high priest’s residence – a place where he would be interrogated and potentially face punishment for being involved in the investigation. So, what's happening? Jesus was essentially sending his disciples to distract the high priest so that Jesus could escape. The disciple was acting as a decoy, putting himself in a position where he wouldn’t be immediately identified as a potential suspect. It was a calculated move to allow Jesus to flee. Why is this important? This verse shows Jesus' incredible strategic thinking and his ability to anticipate the moves of his enemies. It demonstrates that Jesus wasn't just concerned with being arrested; he was actively working to protect himself and avoid being caught. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of this verse in more detail? Connect it to a broader theme in the Bible? Offer some context about the time period?