John 18:16-20
 
John 18:16 (KJB)
But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
 
Peter probably did not follow the mob too closely to gain entrance with John to the High Priest’s palace or either Peter was stopped at the door because he was unknown to the people in the house. Peter was probably questioned as to what he wanted in the house. It is apparent that John had gone back and spoke to the maiden who kept the door and told her that Peter was with him. It is interesting that Peter gained entrance to the High Priest’s palace because he knew John. We are given access to the palace in Heaven because those of us who are saved, know the High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
John 18:17 (KJB)
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.
 
Just as the wealthy do today, the High Priest had someone who answered the door for him. Now this verse begins the denial of the Lord Jesus Christ by Peter. (John 13:38 KJV) Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.  Peter was bragging that he would lay his life down for the Lord but Jesus had prophesied that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed in the morning. This is the first of the three denials of Peter. Peter would have been in trouble if he would have answered in the affirmative because being associated with Jesus would have also brought him the death penalty. The maid used a very derisive comment by calling Jesus “this man.” So to prevent himself from being arrested, Peter just denied the Lord and claimed he was not a follower.
 
John 18:18 (KJB)
And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
 
This was probably sometime in the early morning so the night air would have created a chill and the servants of the home and the officers of the temple, no doubt the ones who arrested Jesus, had made a fire to keep warm by. Although it was hot during the day, it was a desert setting where the days would be very hot and the nights would be very cold. Peter then came by the fire and warmed himself up. Peter had desired to see what was going to happen with Jesus so he had tried to stay close to the rapidly unfolding events.
 
John 18:19 (KJB)
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
 
Jesus is being asked by Annas as He was not yet taken to Caiaphas. The two questions which were asked of Jesus was concerning His disciples and His doctrine. The question concerning the disciples would be to extract information if they would be willing to physically fight for Jesus. He wanted to know if they were soldiers or if they were just followers of His teachings. If they were soldiers, then that would put the entire nation at risk because it would be a call to battle for the Romans to come and put down any insurrection, which means there would be much bloodshed. The second question was concerning his doctrine and if it was against the Mosaic law, then they would have a case for blasphemy. Annas wanted to find anything he could that would give them cause to force a trial. Once the trial begins, they could and would bring in false witnesses, which is what they wound up doing. Then those witnesses would be like the ones that Jezebel brought in as false witnesses against Naboth. (1 Ki 21:13 KJV) And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. They would create a story so heinous that they would have had to seek the death penalty against Jesus.
 
John 18:20 (KJB)
Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
 
Openly - Fearlessly, boldly, courageously, and openly publicly
Whither - Where
Resort - Come together
 
Jesus answered them plainly telling them that everything He taught, He taught in public and had no private agenda with His disciples. When He spoke to the multitudes, whether in the Temple or on a mountainside, Jesus did not withhold anything, even when He condemned the Pharisees for their false religious activities while pretending to be righteous. (See Matthew 23) Jesus always had a crowd to speak to and did no teaching in private. Whatever He taught, was taught to crowds so there was no mistake as to what was being said.

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