“That Other Disciple, Which Was Known Unto The High Priest”
Was this actually John?
John 18:15-18
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.
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.
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.
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.
A word of prayer:
God Almighty, help this reach those You would have it reach. Let only the Truth prevail. Thank You for the freedom that You bring by the Truth. To You be all the glory.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
I have heard it taught that the “other disciple” in this scene was the apostle John. That teaching may exist because throughout his own gospel account, John refers to himself in the third-person.
The above scripture refers to a disciple in the third-person, so it must be John… right?
Well, after a direct revelation my wife received from the Holy Spirit, and after extensive study in each the four gospel accounts about that revelation, I have come to believe that the scriptures reveal explicitly that the identity of “that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest” is actually someone else.
If you have thought that the “other disciple” in this scene is John, please bear with me; set your assumptions aside for just this moment, and may God give us both the grace for discernment and truth.
A Note On “Whom Jesus Loved”
Each time the apostle John makes a third-person reference to himself in his own gospel account, he uses phrases like “one of His disciples,” “the disciple,” “the other disciple,” or “that disciple.” I believe this has led many Bible-readers to believe that the “other disciple” mentioned in the above-quoted scripture (John 18:15-18) is John.
However, in every instance of third-person identification of himself, John qualifies this third-person reference with the phrase “whom Jesus loved” or “whom he loved” (and the “he” is always in obvious reference to Jesus within the context of the verse).
There is not one time that John does not use this qualifying phrase — “whom Jesus loved” — when referring to himself in the third-person, except in the cases where he has already used the phrase “whom Jesus loved” immediately prior so as to distinguish which “other disciple” he is referring to.
Here are all the mentions in scripture of a disciple “whom Jesus loved:”
John 13:23-25
Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, that he should ask who it should be of whom he spake. He then lying on Jesus’ breast saith unto him, Lord, who is it?
This is the first mention of “…whom Jesus loved.”
When John says “He then lying on Jesus’ breast,” he does not repeat “whom Jesus loved,” because that identification is already established by its immediately-prior mention.
It is interesting to me — especially in the context of this particular study — that the first mention of “…whom Jesus loved” appears in a verse that is directly about and related to Judas Iscariot.
John 19:26-27
When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
This is clearly the same disciple “Whom Jesus / He loved” because that is established in the preceding verse.
John 20:2-4,8
Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. … Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.”
“that other disciple” is clearly distinguished as the one “whom Jesus loved” in verse 2, and needs no reiterating in verses 3 and 4.
Verse 8 ties directly back to the establishment of this disciple being the one “whom Jesus loved” in verse 3, and in verse 4 the one who arrived first to the sepulchre.
John 21:6-7
And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea.
Again, third person reference of “that disciple” is clearly qualified with “whom Jesus loved.”
John 21:20-24
Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we know that his testimony is true.
John plainly reiterates and clarifies which disciple is the one referenced as “whom Jesus loved” — it is the same disciple that leaned on Jesus’ breast at supper and asked Jesus who the betrayer was. This “beloved” disciple is the same one whom rumors went out saying he should not die until Jesus come again. John clarifies in verse 24 that “this disciple” which he speaks of is the same one who wrote the gospel of John, which is obviously John himself. This clarification can be applied retroactively to all preceding mentions of “that disciple whom Jesus loved” as being John himself.
#NotJohn
In John 18:15-18, Jesus is brought to the high priest and Peter follows after. The qualifying phrase of “whom Jesus loved” is nowhere to be found in the surrounding scriptures to designate that the “other disciple” in this passage is John.
Rather, the qualifying phrase for “that other disciple” in this scene is “who was known unto the high priest.” That is not the apostle John’s hashthag, if I may say it that way, and yet this qualifying phrase (“…who was known unto the high priest”) is repeated twice in John 18:15-18.
If we are to believe that John is consistent in his writing style (which he is, throughout his gospel account and his epistles), then it is safe to say that if John were the one to have actually gone into the palace of the high priest, John would have used “#whomJesusLoved” somewhere nearby.
With this in mind, let’s look at…
The Timeline of Betrayal Events
What follows is a detailed timeline of events as recorded across all four gospels that leads up to the scene in John 18:15-18, the one quoted at the start of this article.
This particular timeline starts when Jesus was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, and goes up through the rooster crowing and Peter going out, weeping bitterly. The broad overview of this whole timeline can be found in the whole of Mark 14. I would encourage you to read that first before reading the following points so that you have the birds-eye view of this timeline in your awareness.
I have also color coded some key people in the events to show their contact with one another:
✝️ = Jesus
🗿 = Simon Peter
🥰 = John
🤑 = Judas Iscariot
👹 = Satan
👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️ = chief priests, scribes, elders
🤴🏼 = high priest
The chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) took counsel* together with the high priest (🤴🏼) and conspired to kill Jesus (✝️). They (👳🏼♂️🤴🏼👳🏼♂️) gave a commandment that if any man knew where Jesus (✝️) was, that that man should make it known to the religious leaders (👳🏼♂️🤴🏼👳🏼♂️) so that they (👳🏼♂️🤴🏼👳🏼♂️) could take Jesus (✝️)(Mark 14:1-2, Matthew 26:1-5, Luke 22:1-2, John 11:45-57).
*the high priest (🤴🏼) was involved in this counsel (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️).
Jesus (✝️) was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper. Precious spikenard is poured out on Him (✝️), and Judas (🤑) is indignant that the oil was “wasted” rather than being “sold for more than 300 pence.” Jesus (✝️) tells Judas (🤑) to leave Mary alone, the one who poured the oil on Him (✝️). (Mark 14:3-9, John 12:3-8, Matthew 26:6-13).
Satan (👹) enters Judas (🤑), and Judas (🤑) is moved by Satan (👹) to go to the chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) to covenant with them for money to betray Jesus (✝️) at a convenient time (Mark 14:10-11, Matthew 26:14-16, Luke 22:3-6).
the same chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) that Judas (🤑) covenanted with were the same chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) that counseled together with the high priest (👳🏼♂️🤴🏼👳🏼♂️) to kill Jesus (✝️) (as outlined in #1 of this timeline)
at this point, there is one degree (or less) of separation between Judas (🤑) and Caiaphas the high priest (🤴🏼), making it highly likely for Judas (🤑) to be “known unto the high priest (🤴🏼).”
Jesus (✝️) sends Peter (🗿) and John (🥰) to go prepare the passover meal in the upper room (Mark 14:12-16, Matthew 26:17-19, Luke 22:7-13).
Note that John (🥰) is busy preparing the passover while Judas (🤑) is spending his time in close proximity to the high priest (🤴🏼).
Jesus (✝️) arrives to the passover meal with all twelve disciples, which means Judas (🤑) has come back from the chief priests’ (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) counsel (👳🏼♂️🤴🏼👳🏼♂️) (Mark 14:17, Matthew 26:20, Luke 22:14).
Judas (🤑) already has it in his heart from Satan (👹) to betray Jesus (✝️) — and this is explicitly affirmed in John 13.
Jesus (✝️) reveals that His (✝️) betrayer (🤑👹) is at the table with Him (✝️). He (✝️) gives the disciples bread, “my body, which is given for you” and “the cup of the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” and commands them this to “do in remembrance of me.” The disciples question among themselves who it is that will betray Jesus (✝️) (Mark 14:18-25, Matthew 26:21-29, Luke 22:15-20).
Supper ends, and Jesus (✝️) washes the disciples feet — including Judas (🤑). Jesus (✝️) says not all the disciples are “clean,” because He (✝️) knew who would betray Him (✝️) . Satan (👹) had at this point “put it in the heart of Judas (🤑) to betray Him (✝️).” Peter (🗿) asks “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (which is John🥰) who it was that would betray Jesus (✝️) . Jesus (✝️) says “He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave it to Judas Iscariot (🤑), the son of Simon” (John 13:1-26).
Satan (👹) enters Judas (🤑) again, and Jesus (✝️) commands him to “do quickly” that which he was going to do. Judas and Satan in him (🤑👹) go “immediately” out to the chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) (John 13:30).
these are the same chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) that Judas (🤑) has already covenanted with and who are in direct contact with the high priest (🤴🏼).
Jesus (✝️) remains with His (✝️) eleven disciples, speaks with them, prays with them, sings a hymn, and walks with them to the mount of Olives (Mark 14:25-26, Matthew 26:29-30, Luke 22:24-30, John 14-17).
all this is happening while Judas (🤑) has gone to the chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️), and is with them who are in direct contact with the high priest (🤴🏼).
In the midst of #9 above, Jesus (✝️) informs Peter (🗿) that “Satan (👹) hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:31-32). Peter (🗿) insists that he will go with Jesus (✝️) to prison and to death. Jesus (✝️) tells Peter (🗿) that he will deny Him (✝️) three times before the rooster crows (Luke 22:33-34, Mark 14:27-31, Matthew 26:31-35, John 13:36-38).
All this is happening while Judas (🤑) is with the chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️), who are in direct contact with the high priest (🤴🏼).
Jesus (✝️) and the eleven disciples arrive at Gethsemane and Jesus asks Peter (🗿), James, and John (🥰) to “watch” with Him. Jesus (✝️) goes to pray to His Father, and comes back to find the disciples sleeping. Jesus (✝️) says to Peter (🗿) “could ye not watch with me one hour?” (Mark 14:32-37, Matthew 26:36-41). This is the same Peter (🗿) who had just proclaimed moments earlier that he could go with Jesus (✝️) all the way to death and prison — but somehow couldn’t even pray for an hour. Jesus (✝️) went and prayed two more times to His Father (Mark 14:39-42, Matthew 26:42-46, Luke 22:40-46, John 18:1-2).
All this is happening while Judas (🤑) was on his way to the garden with a great multitude from the chief priests (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️).
Judas (🤑) arrives at the garden of Gethsemane with a great multitude who all came from the chief priests and scribes and elders (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️). Judas (🤑) betrays Jesus (✝️) with a kiss (Mark 14:43-45, Matthew 26:47-50, Luke 22:47-48, John 18:3-9).
the chief priests and scribes and elders (👳🏼♂️👳🏼♂️) — whom Judas (🤑) came from with the great multitude — were not there at Gethsemane. They were all waiting at the high priest’s (🤴🏼) house for Jesus (✝️) to be brought back to them.
At this point, it would have been very strange (if not impossible) for Judas (🤑) to be UNKNOWN unto the high priest (🤴🏼) if the high priest (🤴🏼) and the chief priests and scribes and elders (👳🏼♂️🤴🏼👳🏼♂️) were all together at the high priest’s (🤴🏼) house waiting for Jesus (✝️) to be brought to them by someone (🤑) whom they had already covenanted with to give money to in exchange for His (✝️) capture.
Peter (🗿) cuts off the ear of Malchus — the servant of the high priest. Jesus (✝️) corrects Peter (🗿) and heals Malchus’ ear (Mark 14:46-48, Matthew 26:50-54, Luke 22:49-51, John 18:10-11).
considering that the servant of the high priest (🤴🏼) himself was there with the mob, this is further evidence that the high priest (🤴🏼) was directly involved and “in-the-know” of the arrest taking place — thereby knowing the leader of the arrest: Judas (🤑).
Jesus (✝️) questions the mob, and all the disciples forsake him and flee — including the apostle John (🥰) (Mark 14:48-52, Matthew 26:55-56, Luke 22:52-53).
Jesus (✝️) is led away: first to Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest Caiaphas (🤴🏼), and then to the high priest’s (🤴🏼) house where all the chief priests and scribes and elders (👳🏼♂️🤴🏼👳🏼♂️) were assembled (John 18:13, Mark 14:53-54, Matthew 26:57-58, Luke 22:54).
these are the same people Judas (🤑) had gone to meet with after he “immediately went out” from supper earlier on.
Peter (🗿) follows afar off.
At the high priest’s house (🤴🏼), two scenes begin unfolding simultaneously: Jesus (✝️) is inside being accused. Outside (about to be “sifted by Satan (👹)”), Peter (🗿) is with the servants by a fire which was made and lit by the “they” who led Jesus (✝️) away (Mark 14:54-72, Matthew 26:58-75, Luke 22:54-71).
Peter (🗿) is not in good company. Peter (🗿) is literally surrounded by people who hate Jesus (✝️). The closest “Good Company” Peter (🗿) has in this moment is inside, being accused.
Judas (🤑) also hates Jesus (✝️), further affirming that he is “the other disciple” in this scene — not John (🥰)— because John (🥰) loves Jesus.
This leads us up to the particular scripture mentioned at the top of this article, John 18:15-18.
As a reminder:
(🥰) = John(🗿) = Simon Peter
(✝️) = Jesus
(🤑) = Judas Iscariot
(🤴🏼) = high priest
(👹) = Satan
18. John🥰18:15-18
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 (🤴🏼).
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.
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.
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.
Who Delivered Peter to the Sifter?
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