Curiosity Killed the Cat

This phrase, implying unnecessary investigation or experiment, can bring harm originally was “Care killed the cat,” meaning worry or sorrow for others can bring harm. Ben Johnson, an English playwright (1598), wrote,

“Helter-skelter, hang sorrow, care ’ll kill a cat, up-tails all, and a louse for the hangman.”

The curiosity of what would happen to Jesus or the care for his welfare drove Peter to follow Jesus, ignoring the harm he could face. Sadly, fear accompanied him as well. When they captured Jesus at Gethsemane and took him to Caiaphas’s house, Peter followed into the courtyard (aule) and sat with the guards who warmed themselves by a fire (Mark 14:53–54). That was a gutsy move! He was within the Sanhedrin’s reach to be caught and crucified along with Jesus for their attempts at insurrection!

Peter would have heard every false accusation against Jesus, the Council’s inability to decide based on the false accusations, Caiaphas’s frustration in questioning Jesus, and the Council’s decree to kill Jesus. He would have seen the high priest tearing his linen, the Council members spitting on Jesus, the thugs blindfolding him and striking him with their fists while insulting him, and the guards removing him from the mob and beating him (14:55–65). Care for his master would have kept him seated, but fear for his life lingered.

As he sat there, one of the servant-girls of the high priest saw Peter warming by the fire. She looked at him intently and said,

“You – You were with the Nazarene, the Jesus.” (14:67)

Peter denied,

“I don’t know; I don’t understand what you are saying.” (14:68)

As he did, a cock crowed.* Peter moved to the front of the courtyard (pro-aule). Wealthy Hebrew houses had an outer court for casual gatherings (aule) and an inner court for intimate gatherings (pro-aule). Peter wasn’t distancing himself from Jesus but drawing nearer to him. Even while betraying, he felt a draw to Jesus.

Sadly, the same servant-girl who saw him earlier began saying the same, not to him but to others:

“He is one of them.” (14:69)

Peter denied it, but others were relentless.

“Truly you are one of them since you, too, are a Galilean.” (14:70)

Peter began to deny it vehemently, even calling down curses and swearing,

“I do not know this man whom you speak of.” (14:71)

Immediately, a cock crowed a second time. Peter remembered Jesus’s words about his betrayal and threw himself down weeping (14:72).

Care and fear go hand in hand in difficult situations. Peter cared for Jesus and wanted to know what would happen to him, so he followed him into the courtyards of the high priest. Perhaps, he wanted to be crucified along with him. But fear took over him to the point of betraying his best friend, master, and lord.

Peter was a human, just like us. He didn’t want to betray Jesus; he had promised to die with him. But fear took over him that he betrayed Jesus. But the Lord knew this and promised to build his congregation, starting with Peter. The same is true of us: He knows our fears and yet wants to do his work through us. We let him work through us because all power has been given to him on heaven and earth.

* Modern translations omit this statement, although reliable ancient manuscripts have them (from all three text types: Alexandrian, Western, and Byzantine).