Article May 17, 1930 Issue

"Peter ... warmed himself"

JOHN SIDNEY BRAITHWAITE

The author of the fourth Gospel sometimes uses a word or describes a scene with the intention of conveying a special significance, hidden indeed from the casual reader but revealing itself to the student. This is particularly noticeable (though lost to some extent in the English translation) in the story of the resurrection and in the account of the meeting with the disciples on the shore of the sea of Tiberias. It is observable also in the trial scenes. The statement that Peter stood and warmed himself is a case in point. But for its repetition a second time this statement might in the ordinary way pass entirely unnoticed. It is worth pondering a little.

There had just been the scene in the garden of Gethsemane, in which Peter figured prominently in his attack on the servant of the high priest, and received a reproof from his beloved Master. Then, after the leading away of Jesus, we are told that Peter followed in company with another disciple who was an acquaintance of the high priest. Peter hesitated to go into the high priest's house until the other disciple had secured him admission. On entering he was challenged, "Art not thou also one of this man's disciples?" and he replied, "I am not." Then follows a vivid sketch of the scene in the court where the servants and officers had a fire; and we learn that "Peter stood with them, and warmed himself." A second time Peter denied his association with Jesus, and again we are told that he was warming himself.

The chill dreariness of the state of mind which was closing in upon Peter begins to dawn upon the reader. He who had said in the fervor of his love and devotion to his Master, "I will lay down my life for thy sake," had been found incapable of doing more than attack where no attack could prove helpful, and had shown himself unable to own up to his allegiance when a word might have meant much. Where was now the warmth of inspiration that his discipleship had meant to him? With what ideal of life could he now hope to replace the one he had just denied? It was vain for him to try to gain approval by standing with those who had hunted his Master. Could he now derive warmth and comfort from a fire of coals? The sequel is known to all.

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