It is common for cowardly bullies (and some of them appear as corporate managers in business) to distance themselves from wrong behaviour.  They want to be seen as reasonable people who are 'only doing their duty' – even though they have manipulated the circumstances to achieve the downfall of somebody who threatens them. Caiaphas, the High Priest was one of those.
 
Caiaphas had not personally arrested Jesus, or been with the armed mob in Gethsemane’s Garden (Matthew 26:47-50).  But he had authorised the action (Luke 22:4-6), spurred on by the betrayal of Judas, although he did not want to be known as the 'High Priest' who ambushed a righteous man.  All the dirty work was done by others, so that he could appear wise and just, as he presided over the religious court.  This was the second of Jesus’ six trials (the first was a brief appearance before Annas (John 18:12-14).  Three trials by the Jewish leaders found Jesus guilty, three by the Roman authorities found him innocent.
 
Peter also kept his distance.  He had run away in great fear from the Garden of Gethsemane.  But in the darkness, he still thought there might be something he could do to rescue Jesus.  His pride was bigger than the Lord's warning, predicting Peter's triple denial that night (Matthew 26:34).  The night gave him some protection.  He also pretended not to have anything to do with Jesus, the covert arrest and the undignified scuffle of Peter's futile attempt to kill Caiaphas' servant (John 18:10).  Wisdom would have placed him anywhere else: but pride and arrogance are not wise at all, and lead to even more dangerous situations - as Peter would discover.
 
Covert (that is: hidden) activity often seems to be the best way of achieving a goal which would be impossible with honest integrity. It may well achieve the immediate purpose, but it is wrong, deceitful, ungodly, unrighteous, wicked and evil.  Not only does it reveal the wickedness in the person's heart, but it also exposes them and others to a vortex of danger which is opened when lies replace truth.  Jesus' command to 'watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation' (Matthew 26:41) is as relevant now as 2000 years ago.  If you have any responsibility of any kind, pray before you start each.  Prayer matters as much in the office, school, hospital, factory, construction site or transport system … as in the home and church.  Let God teach you a new way to be honest with people; and keep walking in the Light (1 John 1:7) away from the shadows.