e filled with persons, and some had climbed on to the top
of the wall to listen to what was going on in the inner court which
they were forbidden to enter. A few of the disciples were likewise
there, for their anxiety concerning Jesus was so great that they could
not make up their minds to remain concealed in the caves of Hinnom.
They came up to Peter, and with many tears questioned him concerning
their loved Master, but he was so unnerved and so fearful of betraying
himself, that he briefly recommended them to go away, as it was
dangerous to remain, and left them instantly. He continued to indulge
his violent grief, while they hastened to leave the town. I recognised
among these disciples, who were about sixteen in number, Bartholomew,
Nathaniel, Saturninus, Judas Barsabeas, Simon, who was afterwards
bishop of Jerusalem, Zacheus, and Manahem, the man who was born blind
and cured by our Lord.

Peter could not rest anywhere, and his love for Jesus prompted him
to return to the inner court, which he was allowed to enter, because
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had, in the first instance, taken him
in. He did not re-enter the vestibule, but turned to the right and went
towards the round room which was behind the tribunal, and in which
Jesus was undergoing every possible insult and ignominy from his cruel
enemies. Peter walked timidly up to the door, and although perfectly
conscious that he was suspected by all present of being a partisan of
Jesus, yet he could not remain outside; his love for his Master
impelled him forward; he entered the room, advanced, and soon stood in
the very midst of the brutal throng who were feasting their cruel eyes
on the sufferings of Jesus. They were at that moment dragging him
ignominiously backwards and forwards with the crown of straw upon his
head; he cast a sorrowful and even severe glance upon Peter, which cut
him to the heart, but as he was still much alarmed, and at that moment
heard some of the bystanders call out, 'Who is that man?' he went back
again into the court, and seeing that the persons in the vestibule were
watching him, came up to the fire and remained before it for some time.
Several persons who had observed his anxious troubled countenance began
to speak in opprobrious terms of Jesus, and one of them said to him,
'Thou also art one of his disciples; thou also art a Galilean; thy very
speech betrays thee.' Peter got up, intending to leave the room, when a
brother of Malc