John 18:15

followed Or, was following; the descriptive imperfect.

another disciple Some good authorities read - theother disciple," but the balance is very decidedly in favour of - another." There is no reason for doubting the almost universal opinion that this -other" was S. John himself; an opinion which agrees with the Evangelist's habitual reserve about himself (John 1:40; John 13:23-25; John 19:26; John 20:2-8; John 21:20-24); and also with the fact that S. John frequently accompanies S. Peter (Luke 22:8; Acts 3:1; Acts 4:13; Acts 8:14). But it must be allowed that the opinion is short of certain; although the fact that S. John elsewhere designates himself as -the disciple whom Jesus loved" is in no degree against the identification. Here the description, -the disciple whom Jesus loved," would explain nothing and would therefore be out of place (see Introduction, chap. John 2:3 (3) b). S. Augustine, Calvin and others suppose some person otherwise unknown to be meant. Other conjectures are, S. James, the Evangelist's brother, and (strangely enough) Judas Iscariot.

was known The nature of this -acquaintance" (Luke 2:44; Luke 23:49) is nowhere explained.

the high priest Caiaphas is probably meant (John 18:13; John 18:24); but as deposed high priests still kept the title sometimes (Luke 3:2; Acts 4:6), it is possible that Annas is intended.

the palace Rather, thecourt or open space in the centre or in front of the house (Luke 22:55). The same word if used for the -sheep-fold" (John 10:1; John 10:16). It is not improbable that Annas lived in a portion of the official residence of his son-in-law; but even if this was not the case, it is no violent supposition that Annas conducted a preliminary examination in the house of Caiaphas (see on John 18:13).