John 18:25-27
Peter's Second and Third Denials
25As Simon Peter stood warming himself, he was asked, "You are not one of his disciples, are you?"
He denied it, saying, "I am not."
26One 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?" 27Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
Peter had already denied Jesus once...He was still trying to keep warm while in the high priest's courtyard of Annas (Caiaphas was now the high priest this year)...Jesus is being questioned by Annas and his people...While at the same time, Peter is being questioned...The servants, of the high priest and others in the high priest courtyard, would have probably thought it was unusual for a follower of Jesus, let alone a disciple to be in his courtyard...
Someone asks Peter if he is one of His disciples...Peter says he is not...A relative of Malchus, whose ear was just cut off by Peter, asks him if he had seen him in the olive grove...Peter denies Jesus here for a third time...
Two questionings are going on here...Jesus is inside being questioned by Annas and his officials...Peter is outside being questioned by Annas' servants...When you are in a crowd that does not agree with your views it is sometimes hard to stand up and speak what you believe...Even when challenged three different times Peter does not admit to knowing Jesus...Jesus knows His death is near...He is struck in the face by one of the officials...Jesus stands up to the former high priest and denies nothing in His questioning...