PETER AND JOHN
Jesus had seventy-two disciples like the elders of the Old Testament or the Sanhedrin, 12 apostles representing the 12 tribes of Israel, and the apostles Peter, James, and John as the inner circle. However, Jesus selected Peter and John for preparing the last Passover. That might have caused them to develop a good companionship. The following are the combined activities of Peter and John recorded in the Bible:
1. Though the evangelists do not give the names of the two disciples Jesus sent to get the donkey for his solemn entry into Jerusalem, many believe that they must’ve been Peter and John (Mt 21:1; Mk 11:1).
2. Jesus assigned to both of them the task of preparing the Passover meal for him and his apostles (Lk 22:8).
3. When Jesus revealed during the last supper that one of the twelve would betray him, Peter nodded to John to find out whom he meant (Jn 13:21-24).
4. Peter and John accompanied Jesus to the high priest’s residence during the trial of Jesus (Jn 18:15).
5. Peter and John were the first apostles who went to the tomb of Jesus when Mary Magdalene told them about the empty tomb (Jn 20:3).
6. During the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus at the Sea of Galilee, John said to Peter, “It is the Lord” (Jn 21:7).
7. When Jesus told Peter with what kind of death he would glorify God, Peter’s concern was only about John (Jn 21:18- 22).
8. After Pentecost, Peter and John went to the Temple where Peter healed a crippled beggar (Acts 3:1-10), the Temple authorities confronted Peter and John at the preaching of Peter, put them in custody, and on the next day the Sanhedrin questioned them (Acts 3:11-4:22).
9. “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:14-15).
These are signs of a special bond between Peter and John.