What Did Peter Do To Jesus

Denial of Peter – Wikipedia

It is referred to as the Denial of Jesus (or Peter’s Denial) when it is referred to three acts of denial of Jesus by the Apostle Peter, which are recorded in all four Gospels of the New Testament. Jesus foretold that Peter would deny knowledge of him during the Last Supper with his followers, predicting that Peter would disavow him before the rooster crowed the next morning, according to the fourCanonical Gospels. As a result of Jesus’ imprisonment, Peter denied knowing him three times. However, after the third denial, Peter heard the rooster crow and remembered the prediction just as Jesus turned to look at him.

TheRepentance of Peter is the name given to this final occurrence.

The Denial of Saint Peter by Caravaggio, which is currently on display at theMetropolitan Museum of Art, is an example.

Biblical accounts

The prediction made by Jesus during theLast Supper that Peter would deny and disown him appears in the Gospels of Matthew26:33–35, Mark14:29–31, Luke22:33–34, and John18:15–27, as well as the Gospel of Mark14:29–31 and the Gospel of Luke22:33–34. The accounts of Jesus’ denial in the Gospels are distinct from one another. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Peter responded, “Even if the whole world turns against you because of you, I will never abandon you.” The three times you will disown me will take place this very night, before the rooster crows.” Nevertheless, Peter stated, “Even if it means dying with you, I would never abandon you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

The first refusal to a servant girl inLuke 22:54–57is as follows: Then they took him and carried him away, taking him into the high priest’s home.

A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight.

“Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.

The third denial to a number of people, is emphatic as he curses according toMatthew 26:73–75: After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately, a rooster began to crow.

TheGospel of Luke22:59–62describes the moment of the last denial as follows: About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.
Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, but Peter had to wait outside at the door.
“You are not one of his disciples, are you?” the girl at the door asked Peter.

Following theresurrection of Jesus, the Gospel of John21:15–17narrates how Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved him, pointing to therehabilitation of Peterfollowing his repentance.

Context and traditions

For the most of the three years that Jesus spent in ministry, recruiting and instructing disciples, he was observed, criticized, and harassed by intellectuals and priests who were interested in his teachings. In certain circles, his beliefs were seen as heretical, and his efforts in collecting a community of disciples were interpreted as having political motivations. The capture and trial of Jesus were the pinnacle of this hostility toward him. Peter was one of the twelve disciples who were most intimately acquainted with Jesus.

His denials come in the face of the charge that he was “with Jesus,” a word that refers to the connection of discipleship that binds them together.

Matthew emphasizes the importance of public witness as an essential element of discipleship throughout his Gospel, as stated in Matthew 10:32–33: “It is impossible to be a disciple unless you bear witness in public.” “Whoever acknowledges me in front of other people, I will also acknowledge him in front of my heavenly Father.

Additionally, Matthew had already documented Jesus’ teaching on the usage of an oath: “Again, you have heard that it was taught to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but you shall execute your vows to the Lord,'” Matthew says.
You also should not swear by your head because you cannot make a single hair white or black with your hands.
Although Peter’s rejection is described in the New Testament, it is not portrayed in its entirety.
His denial evolves from a plea of ignorance to a denial plus anoathand then to cursing and swearing, culminating in a thorough denial that he ever knew Jesus.
The significance of three denials resides in their overwhelming intensity; they serve to emphasize the disciple’s determination to deny Jesus (seeBiblical numerology).
This narrative has been seen as an occurrence that provides light on Peter’s distinctive function and distinguishes him from the other disciples, in the same way as the angel urges the women to “go and tell his disciples and Peter” about the resurrection of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark16:7.

The threefold denial of Peter serves as the motivation for the three repeating inquiries asked by Jesus to Peter at the Sea of Galilee following His resurrection: “Simon, son of John, Do you love me?” “Simon, son of John, Do you love me?” “Simon, son of John, Do you love me?” The event was initially interpreted by Peter as punishment for his three denials (also due to the use by Jesus of Peter’s old name “Simon”), but it was later interpreted as Jesus’ redemptive act, allowing Peter to publicly declare in front of his fellow disciples that he truly did love his Lord and thus become fully restored to his faith community.

Similarly, Peter’s repeated rejection to eat the animals in Acts 10 when he sees a sheet with animals on it is reminiscent of the triple denial in the Bible.

In the Gnostic Apocalypse of Peter, Jesus tells Peter that he is not ready for inner sight since he has been denied three times in one night, 72,5.

Both the fact that Peter was refused “three times” and the fact that he was there “in this night” imply a connection to the canonical depiction of the Denial of Peter.

Prayers and traditions

BishopLancelot Andrewes penned the following prayer: “O Lord Jesus Christ, gaze upon us with those eyes of thine as thou dist glance upon Peter in the hall; that we may repent and, by the same love, be forgiven, like Peter; for the sake of thine unending charity.” Amen. Saint Ambroses remarked, in reference to the tears shed by Peter during his repentance in the context of the Sacrament of Penance, that “in the Church, there are water and tears: the water of Baptism and the tears of repentance.” The “tears of repentance,” as illustrated by Peter, have traditionally been regarded as a symbol of both sadness and consolation, and as a sign of crimes confessed and pardon sought at the same time.

The Denial of Peter is the fourth station of the Scriptural Way of the Cross, which was instituted in 1991 by Pope John Paul II as a variation of theStations of the Cross and is performed each Good Fridayat the Colosseum in Rome.

During Holy Week in Jerusalem, vigils occasionally come to a spot that has historically been regarded the site of Peter’s repentance.

In art and music

For hundreds of years, artists have used the incident as the inspiration for their works of art. Additionally, musical versions of the Passion tale have been performed to portray it. In a variety of materials and approaches, from a 6th century mosaic at the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo to Russian icons and oil paintings by numerous great artists, it has been represented, including a 6th century mosaic at the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. The topic was occasionally featured in cycles of the Life of Christ or the Passion, and was frequently the only scene in the cycle that did not feature the figure of Christ.

The servant girl recognizes Peter and holds the candle in her hand, illuminating his face.
Peter’s features are turned away from Jesus, and he gestures with his left hand, despite the fact that his look is not one of hostility toward Jesus.
A favorite aspect of Caravaggio’s image, according to the author George Weatherhead, is the way Peter’s face are twitching with nervousness and uncertainty, knowing of the shameful lie he is saying.
It is worth noting that Caravaggio utilized the same head of a lady as he used in his representation of The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist to portray the servant girl in this picture.
A seminal treatise by the JesuitCardinalRobert Bellarmine (1542–1621) was the catalyst for this event.
Numerous composers have set the Passion tale to music, and the result is a diverse range of styles.
Bach conveys the event of Peter’s denial with tremendous poignancy in both theSt Matthew Passion and theSt John Passion, which are both composed by him.

Gardiner (2013) writes on page 365, “Inevitably, we suffer with Peter; nonetheless, the difficult issue Bach invites us to confront is whether any of us would have emerged from his tragedy with better credit? “.

Artists who have expressed their denial of Saint Peter include Jan van der Venne (Denial of Saint Peter)
Knüpfer (Denial of Saint Peter)
Gerard van Honthorst (The Denial of Saint Peter, c. 1618–20)
And Gerard van Honthorst (The Denial of Saint Peter, c. 1618–20).

References

Unlike the Synoptics, Peter does not appear to respond to the crowing of the rooster in the Gospel of John
He is also not stated to recollect Jesus’ prophesy or to show sorrow over his denials.

Citations

This is known as “The Denial of St. Peter.” The North Carolina Museum of Art is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Cullmann 1969, p. 105
Perkins 2000, p. 85
Lange 1865, p. 499
BodaSmith 2006, p. 110
Binz 1989, p. 54
Herrington 1992, p. 900
Witherington 1998, p. 350
“The Apocalypse of Peter” (The Book of Revelation). The Nag Hammadi Library is a treasure trove of knowledge. Retrieved on 2018-04-19
“Catechism of the Catholic Church,” also retrieved on 2018-04-19. “Station 4, Jesus is refused by Peter,” according to BodaSmith (2006), p. 223
“Station 4, Jesus is denied by Peter.” Stations of the Cross. Vatican. Retrieved 2018-04-19
Monti 1993, p. 150
Durham 2004, p. 162
Weatherhead 1834, p. 232
Varriano 2006, p. 110
Hall 1983, pages. 10, 315
Hall 1983, p. 110
Hall 1983, p. 315
Hall

Sources

Aitken, Jonathan (2006),Prayers for People Under Pressure, Bloomsbury Academic, ISBN 978-0-8264-8275-4
Binz, Stephen J. (1989),The Passion and Resurrection Narratives of Jesus: A Commentary, Bloomsbury Academic, ISBN 978-0-8264-8275-4
Aitken, Jonathan (2006),Prayers for People Under Pressure, Bloomsbury Academic, ISBN 978-0-8264-8275-4
Binz, Stephen J. (2006), Boda, Mark J., and Smith, Gordon T. (2006),Repentance in Christian Theology, Liturgical Press, ISBN 978-0-8146-5175-9
Broadhead, Edwin Keith (1994),Prophet, Son, Messiah: Narrative Form and Function in Mark 14-16, Liturgical Press, ISBN 978-0-8146-1771-7
Boda, Mark J., and Smith, Gordon T. (2006),Repentance in Christian Theology, Lit a C Black,ISBN978-1-85075-476-3
Cullmann, O. (1969),Gerhard Kittel
Gerhard Friedrich (eds. ),Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, vol. VI, translated by Bromiley, Geoffrey William,Wm. B. Eerdmans,ISBN978-0-8028-2248-2
Durham, John I. (2004),The Biblical Rembrandt: Human Painter in a Landscape of Faith, Mercer University (2000). Peter is known as the “Apostle of the Whole Church.” Caravaggio: The Art of Realism, Pennsylvania State University Press, ISBN 978-0-271-02717-3
Weatherhead, George Hume (2006), Caravaggio: The Art of Realism, Bloomsbury, ISBN 978-0-567-08743-0
Varriano, John L. (2006), Caravaggio: The Art of Realism, Bloomsbury, ISBN 978-0-567-08743-0
Varriano, John L. (2006), Caravaggio: The (1834), A Pedestrian Tour of France and Italy, by the author Simpkin, Marshall
Witherington, Ben (1998), The Acts of the Apostles, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, ISBN 978-0-8028-4501-6
Simpkin, Marshall
Witherington, Ben

Why Did Peter Deny Jesus after Everything?

It is recorded in all four gospel accounts: Matthew 26:69-74, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:55-62, and John 18:15-18, 25-27, as well as Mark 14:66-72 and Luke 22:55-62.

Weakness and Fear Led Peter to Deny Jesus

Peter’s denial was motivated by feelings of inadequacy and dread. Following the Last Supper, Jesus led His followers to the Garden of Gethsemane, where they would wait for His arrest. While He was out praying by Himself, Jesus instructed them to be attentive and prayerful until He returned. When Jesus came to them, He discovered that the disciples had fallen asleep. Despite the fact that the spirit was willing and the flesh was weak, Jesus cautioned Peter to remain awake and pray. Although Peter had been warned, he fell asleep, and it was too late for him to pray for the strength to withstand the challenge that was ahead of him.

He was briefly eaten by the devil because of Peter’s frailty, which manifested itself when he rejected the Lord three times because he wasn’t prepared in prayer and misjudged the level of his own weakness.
In spite of the fact that all of Jesus’s other disciples fled (Mark 14:50), Peter remained at Jesus’ side after his arrest and followed him from a distance (Mark 14:54).
Peter was terrified that Jesus would be killed, and now he was terrified for his own life.
During a private conversation with Peter, Jesus explained that Satan had requested permission to sift Peter like wheat (Luke 22:32).
Not only did Peter encourage and support the other followers of Jesus, but he himself rose to the position of pillar of the early church, passing on his knowledge and training to others (Acts 2).
Peter’s shortcomings, which included his three denials of Christ, were utilized by the Lord God to transform him from Simon, a commoner, into Peter, the Rock.

The Story Behind Peter’s Denials

After following the gang of soldiers and religious officials who had captured Jesus, Simon Peter and the Apostle John arrived to the “courtyard of the high priest,” where they were detained (John 18:15). A servant girl approached Peter in the courtyard and inquired as to if he was a follower of the Lord Jesus, which Peter categorically rejected (John 18:16-18). More than one figure asked Peter the same question over and over again, according to John’s account, “they” inquired whether or not he was one of Jesus’ disciples (John 18:25).

Peter denied knowing the Lord Jesus for the second time in as many days (John 18:25). Malchus claimed that he saw Peter in the Garden of Gethsemane with the Lord Jesus shortly after (John 18:26). Peter then refused Jesus a third time, precisely as the Lord Jesus had said would happen (John 18:27).

Peter’s Denials and Christ’sTestimony

Throughout the book, John shifts his readers back and forth between Peter’s denials and Christ’s testimony before Annas, in order to enable them comprehend the stark difference between the Lord and Peter. When Jesus was put on trial, He did not back down, but instead confronted the high priest and his court (John 18:19-24). Due to the fact that he was not interrogated by a person of authority such as the high priest, but rather by servants, Peter was unable to testify to the truth under these circumstances.

Peter, on the other hand, could not stand up for justice against the strong, even though he knew it would cost him his life.

Similarly to Jesus’ trial, Peter is subjected to the evidence of three witnesses (Matthew 26:57-64; 69-74), but here is where the similarities between the two trials end.

In front of the female servants, Peter rejects the reality of who Jesus is.

Peter’s Restoration to Gospel Ministry

Despite his many sins, Peter shows signs of repentance in his weeping (Matthew 26:75) and later restoration (John 21:15-19), indicating a sincere heart. No matter how much we have sinned or how deep our crimes have gone, it is never too late to repent and return to the Lord, since He compassionately forgives everyone who comes to Him in repentance for their sins, without exception. The tale of Peter’s reinstatement to the ministry in John 21:15-17 is told by the Lord Jesus himself. Peter was questioned three times whether he loved Jesus “more than these” after the disciples of Jesus completed having breakfast on the beach of the Sea of Tiberias after they finished their meal.

The question was presented to Peter three times by Jesus, which corresponds to the Apostle Peter’s three denials earlier in the chapter.
In John 21:15-19, Jesus instructs Peter in three distinct methods to feed and care for the sheep that have been entrusted to Him.
However, the command granted to Peter is not restricted to him alone; rather, it is extended to all of the apostles.
Church administrators have a responsibility to care for Christians, understanding that they are ultimately under the authority of Christ and that they require the truth of God’s Word for their well-being.
Christians are required to respond to this question, without which they will be unable to make any further progress in their discipleship to Christ.

“Do you love me perfectly?” Jesus never asks. “Do you love me perfectly?” “Do you love me as much as I deserve?” or “Do you love me as much as I deserve?” As a result, all sinners must be cast away from the church.

Why Does This Matter?

Despite his many sins, Peter shows signs of repentance in his weeping (Matthew 26:75) and later restoration (John 21:15-19), indicating a contrite heart. Even though we have sinned a great deal or deeply, it is never too late to repent before the Lord, for He compassionately forgives everyone who comes to Him in repentance for their sins, without exception. Jesus Christ restores Peter to his ministry in John 21:15-17, according to the Scriptures. Peter was questioned three times whether he loved Jesus “more than these” after the disciples of Jesus completed eating breakfast on the beach of the Sea of Tiberias after finishing their meal.

The question was addressed to Peter three times by Jesus, which corresponds to the Apostle Peter’s three denials previously in the Gospel of Matthew.
Peter is instructed to feed and care for the sheep given to Him by Jesus in three distinct ways in John 21:15-19.
Jesus handed Peter this responsibility.
This commission is also given to elders, according to Peter, who goes on to clarify this later (1 Peter 5:1-4).
“Do you love me?” Jesus probes Peter.
“Do you love me completely?” Jesus does not inquire.

Why Did Peter Deny Jesus Christ?

Peter’s denial of Christ was the culmination of a sequence of events. The first was self-assurance, and the second was keeping a safe distance from the action. The third mistake was associating with the wrong people.

Peter Denies Jesus: The Biblical Text

Then they took him and carried him away, carrying him into the home of the high priest, with Peter following behind them at a safe distance. And after they had all gathered around a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter took a seat among them as well. Later, when one of the servant girls noticed him sitting in the light and gazing at him intently, she stated, “This man was also with him.” He, on the other hand, disputed it, saying, “Woman, I am not acquainted with him.” In the meantime, someone else came up to him and remarked, “You’re another one of them, as well.” Peter, on the other hand, said, “Man, I’m not.” And after about an hour, another argued, saying, “Certainly this guy was with him, for he, too, is a Galilean.” And after another hour, yet another insisted, adding, Peter, on the other hand, stated, “Man, I have no idea what you are talking about.” He was in the middle of his speech when the rooster began to crow instantly.

As Peter stared at the Lord, the Lord turned to look at him. After hearing the Lord’s words to him, Peter recalled how the Lord had told him that he would refuse him three times before the rooster crows on this day. He then walked outside and sobbed furiously. Luke 22:54-62 (KJV)

What Led to Peter Denying Jesus?

In Luke 22:55, we find Peter huddled around a fire in the courtyard of Caiaphas, who was putting Jesus on trial – a fire that we may refer to as “the enemy’s fire.” Peter had reached a point when he felt exhausted, dejected, and weak. Because he was weak, he should not have been at a fire among unbelievers, where he should not have been. According to Matthew’s Gospel, he sat down with the servants to see the conclusion. He had come to terms with Jesus’s fate at this point. There was nothing he could think of that he could do.

Peter was at the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong people, and he was on the verge of doing the wrong thing.
We believe we have an impact on others, but the question is if they are having an impact on us.
Therefore, Psalm 1:1 states, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of godless men, nor stand in the way of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scornful men.” Have you ever noticed the way the words in Psalm 1 move – or, should I say, regress – from one verse to the next?
Then there’s the matter of standing.
When we fall into sin, it is most typically the result of a series of events that take place.
The following is an excerpt from Harvest Ministries’ “By the Enemy’s Fire” (used by permission).

Saint Peter the Apostle

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was St. Peter?

Simon, formerly known as St. Peter the Apostle, was a disciple of Jesus Christ who died in Rome in the year 64CE. He is revered in the early Christian church as the leader of the 12disciples and is considered by the Roman Catholic Church as the first in an uninterrupted series of popes. At the beginning of Jesus’ career, Peter, a Jewish fisherman, was called to be a follower of Jesus. During his time with Jesus, he was given the name Cephas (from Aramaic Kepa; hence Peter, from Petros, a Greek translation of Kepa).

The man and his position among the disciples

The New Testament contains the only reliable sources of knowledge on Peter’s life, which include the four Gospels, Acts, the letters of Paul, and the two letters that bear the name of Peter, among other things. He was most likely known by his Hebrew given name, Simeon, or by the Greek variant of that given name, Simon, when he was younger. The former is mentioned just twice in the New Testament, but the latter is mentioned 49 times. The Gospel of John 21:15 states that he was addressed as “Simon, son of John” at serious occasions.

Despite the fact that Paul has a strong preference (8 times out of 10) for the Greek transliteration Kphas (Latinized as Cephas) of the Aramaic name or title Kepa, which means “Rock,” the Greek translation Petros appears about 150 times throughout the Gospels and Acts of the Apostles.
His family originally came from Bethsaida in Galilee (John 1:44), but during the time of Jesus’ ministry, Peter lived in Capernaum, at the northwest end of the Sea of Galilee, where he and his brotherSt.
JamesandSt.
Many things about Peter may be gleaned from the New Testament, either openly from the words made by and about Peter, or indirectly through his actions and reactions, which are revealed in a number of situations in which Peter plays a key role.
For example, he first ate with the Gentiles but afterwards refused to do so (Letter to the Galatians, 2:11–14).
Occasionally, he is represented as reckless and hasty (Luke 22:33, for example), or as impatient and capable of tremendous rage (Luke 22:34, for example) (John 18:10).
The New Testament claims that Peter was uneducated in the sense of having had no training in the Mosaic Law (Acts 4:13), and it is dubious that he was conversant in the Greek language.
Even though all of the Gospels agree that Peter was invited to follow Jesus at the beginning of his career, the details of when and where the event occurred are described differently in each Gospel.
In Matthew (4:18–22) and Mark (Gospel According to Mark1:16–20), the call of the four men is mentioned.
It is stated in the Gospel of John (1:28) that the call took place inJudaea, and that Andrew—who had previously been a follower ofSt.
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) are most likely right in saying that the summons to Peter was extended in Galilee when Jesus first began his activity in that region, as recorded in the New Testament.

According to John, this passage is perhaps more theologically motivated than historically motivated; the author of John wishes to emphasize that Peter recognized Jesus’ messiahship from the beginning and that Jesus had recognized Simon as the “rock” from their very first meeting, as he has done elsewhere.

For example, in one instance, Matthew and Luke indicate that Peter was the one who questioned Jesus about a parable, while Mark refers these statements to the entire group of disciples who were there (Matthew 15:15; Luke 8:45; and Mark 7:17).
When the disciples are addressed in the Bible, Peter is almost always the first to be mentioned (Matthew 10:2–4, Mark 3:16–19, Luke 6:14–16, Acts 1:13; see only Galatians 2:9 for examples).
Those who were not direct disciples of Jesus respected Peter’s authority as well, as was the case when the collectors of the temple tax contacted him for information about the tax (Matthew 17:24).
Taking the position of both an individual and as a spokesman of the Twelve Apostles, he made a plea for personal preference in the kingdom of Heaven as a recompense for his faithful service on the earth (Matthew 19:27, 28).
Even though the three disciples closest to Jesus (known as the “pillars”—Peter, James, and John) are mentioned in a single occurrence, it is typically Peter who is the only one who is specifically mentioned in that episode.
As recorded in Matthew 8:14, it was Peter’s home in Capernaum where Jesus went to cure his mother-in-law, and it was Peter’s boat that Jesus used when he gave instructions to the throng (Matthew 8:15).

In the proclamation of Christ as the Son of God (Matthew 16:15–18; Mark 8:29–30; Luke 9:20), it was Peter who exhibited remarkable insight and demonstrated his depth of faith, and it was Peter who rebuked, and in turn was rebuked by, Jesus when the Master predicted that he would suffer and die (Matthew 16:15–18; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20).

The apostle Peter, in his denial of his Lord (Matthew 26:69–75; Mark 14:66–72; Luke 22:54–61), demonstrated the temporary frailty of even the strongest.
Last but not least, Peter, who had survived his denial, is given the honor of becoming the first of the Apostles to meet Jesus following the Resurrection (Luke 24:34).
John the Apostle, the “Beloved Disciple,” who challenges Peter’s position.
The Gospel is a collection of stories about Jesus Christ.
Because Peter is stressed in John, and he is given the responsibility of “tend my sheep” and “feed my lambs” (John 21:15, 16), at the same time that the function of all the disciples is deemphasized, this demonstrates the importance of Peter in the early church.

It is possible that one of the reasons of stressing Peter in chapter 21 is an attempt to return the disciple who denied his Lord to the place he held in the Synoptic Gospels before his death.

What was the reason behind Peter’s denial of Jesus?

QuestionAnswer Matthew 26:69–74, Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:55–62, and John 18—18—25—27 all tell the story of Peter’s threefold denial of Christ, and all four Gospel accounts tell the story of Peter’s threefold denial of Christ. But why would the leader of the disciples claim to have never heard of Him? Peter’s denial of Jesus was primarily motivated by two factors: weakness and fear. Peter’s denial was partially motivated by weakness, specifically by the weakness that comes from human frailty. The Garden of Gethsemane was where Jesus took His disciples after the Last Supper in order to await His arrest.

When He returned to them, He discovered that they had fallen asleep.
However, he fell asleep again, and by the time the soldiers arrived to arrest Jesus, it was too late for him to pray for the strength to endure the ordeal that lay ahead of him.
Nevertheless, Peter learned his lesson about being vigilant, and he encourages us in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be on the alert, because your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a prey looking for someone to devour.” In his weakness, Peter was “devoured” for a brief moment as he denied his Lord.
As a result, he denied his Lord.
Peter, to his credit, continued to follow Jesus after His arrest, despite the fact that everyone else had fled (Mark 14:50).
There’s no denying that he was paralyzed by fear.
Peter was terrified that Jesus would be killed, and he was also terrified for his own life.

Prior to this, Jesus had cautioned His disciples, as well as us today, saying, “Remember that the world hated me first, and that it will hate you as well” (John 15:18; cf.

Peter quickly discovered that he wasn’t nearly as bold and courageous as he had claimed, and out of fear, he turned his back on the One who had been faithful to him.

Jesus revealed to Peter that Satan had asked for permission to sift Peter like wheat and that Jesus had granted his request (Luke 22:31).

He was preparing Peter to be a stronger brother for his brothers (Luke 22:32).

And he continues to do so today through his epistles, 1 and 2 Peter, which serve to strengthen us.

Questions about Matthew (return to top of page) What was the underlying reason for Peter’s denial of Jesus’ existence?

Subscribe to the

Get our Question of the Week emailed to your inbox every weekday morning! Got Questions Ministries is a trademark of Got Questions Ministries, Inc., registered in the state of California in the year 2002. All intellectual property rights are retained. Policy Regarding Personal Information The information on this page was last updated on January 4, 2022.

PETER DENIES JESUS THREE TIMES

THE HOLY BOOK OF JOHN 18:25-2725 Simon Peter rose to his feet and sat down to warm himself. As a result, they confronted him, saying, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?” He categorically rejected it, saying, “I am not!” 26One of the high priest’s slaves, a cousin of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” he added. 27Peter then denied it once more, and a rooster crows shortly after. The second and third occasions that Peter denies Jesus are the second and third instances that Peter denies Jesus.

Luke 22:58-62 (NASB) Then another saw him and remarked to him, “You are also one of them,” which he agreed with.
60However, Peter said, “Man, I have no idea what you are talking about!” The rooster began to crow immediately, while he was still speaking in silence.
Then Peter remembered the Lord’s words to him, how He had told him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times,” and how he had done so.
What was Jesus’ facial expression when he saw Peter?
Was Peter a coward in any way?
What exactly was Peter doing at the high priest’s residence in the first place?
His blame as an attempted murderer rests with him, and because Malchus, the servant of the high priest, was the victim of his deed, Peter should have avoided going to the high priest’s residence in order to avoid being implicated in the crime.

If such was the case, Peter’s hopes were shattered when the servant girl inquired as to whether or not he was also one of the Man’s disciples.

3 Lessons from the Apostle Peter

Peter is one of the most likeable figures in all of Scripture. Just something about his charisma makes you want to dance. Because he is so thoroughly human, it is quite simple to relate with him. Throughout the film, we witness him opening his lips at inopportune moments and uttering absurd things. One minute he’ll be pledging his everlasting love to Jesus, and the next he’ll be standing in a courtyard, claiming he’s never even heard of Jesus. Peter represents each and every one of us. Peter has a great heart, despite the fact that he is enthusiastic and impetuous.

Peter, together with James and John, experiences a level of closeness with Jesus that the other disciples do not.

1. Humility is a natural response to Jesus

Peter’s calling is revealed in great detail by Luke in his gospel account. Jesus arrived on the shores of Galilee, hopped into a boat, and requested that He be rowed out into the multitude so that He may teach them. It just so happened that the yacht He picked belonged to Peter, which was a happy coincidence. After a few minutes of instruction, Jesus instructed Peter to take them into deep water and toss the nets overboard. Peter laughed sarcastically. They’d been working all night and hadn’t captured anything, but he followed orders and did what was asked.

Therefore, they called to their companions in the other boat to come and assist them, and they arrived and filled both boats to the point that they began to sink.”When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ feet and cried out, “Depart from me, Lord; I am a wicked man!” (6:6–8, New International Version; Luke 5:6–8) We’ll never know what Peter was thinking when he referred to himself as a “sinful man” in his statement.

Whatever the case may be, we do know that this encounter with Jesus’ authority led him to have an overwhelming sense of terror and unworthiness right away.

The good news is that Jesus’ response is always the same: “Don’t be scared” (Luke 5:10).

2. Jesus is always at work redeeming and restoring us

Following the prophecy of Jesus during the final supper, Peter ends up betraying the Lord on three separate occasions. When he comes to terms with what he’s done, he sobs bitterly (Matthew 26:75). For Peter, the joy of Jesus’ resurrection was probably tempered by apprehension. The fact that Jesus was victorious over death, as He had promised, was a tremendous victory. But how was Peter ever going to convey the depth of his grief? He must have believed that Jesus would never again put his confidence in him.

‘Simon son of John, do you love me?’ Jesus inquired yet another time.
‘Take good care of my sheep,’ Jesus instructed.
“Do you love me?” Jesus inquired of Peter for the third time, and Peter was stung by the question.
It says in John 21:15–17 that Jesus told his disciples to “feed my sheep.” Take note of the fact that Jesus asks Peter whether he loves Him just once for every time Peter denies ever knowing Him.
When Jesus tells Peter that his failing has not disqualified him from his role as Christ’s trusted partner, he does so in a sensitive and sympathetic manner.

The same may be said about us. We will all experience spectacular failure at some point in our lives, but that does not rule out the possibility of a comeback. Jesus is always at work in our lives, redeeming and restoring us to his will and purpose.

3. Boldness is a sign you’re close to Jesus

Peter and John were arrested and imprisoned by the temple guards for their proclamation of Jesus as Messiah. The following day, the elders and teachers of the law convened in Jerusalem and began questioning the two disciples about their beliefs. Peter instantly rises to his feet and begins to preach to them about Jesus. Finally, Jesus tells them, “Salvation can be found in no one else, because there is no other name under heaven that has been given to mankind by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

When it came to Peter and John, there was nothing particularly noteworthy about them.

What they did have was a closeness to Jesus that enabled them to be daring and courageous.

If we are close to Jesus, it will be evident in our fearlessness as well as our other characteristics.

Learning to follow Jesus

Through the presence of the many characters from the New Testament, we are given a glimpse of what it means for regular people to follow Jesus. As we follow the development of Peter’s friendship with Jesus, we become more comfortable with our own fallibility—and more bold in our commitment to Jesus. Read “3 Lessons from the Apostle Paul” to learn more about following Jesus and to get other insights.

Relive the Story of Peter’s Denial of Jesus Christ

All four Gospelsrecord a scene in which the Apostle Peter denies Jesus three times in the courtyard of the high priest on the night of Christ’s betrayal, which is recorded in all four Gospels. According to both accounts, his first refusal occurs in response to a challenge from a servant girl. Immediately following Peter’s third denial, there is a cacophony of crows, which prompts Peter to recall the Lord’s prophecy. Peter then walks away, his face contorted with profound guilt.

Question for Reflection

Following Peter’s denial, the Lord graciously forgave him and returned him to a position of confidence. You’re feeling like you’ve failed the Lord so badly that there’s nothing left for you to do except give up? Allow Peter’s tale to serve as inspiration for you. Even if you’ve gone as far as you’ve fallen or as far as your humiliation has sunk, Jesus will forgive and restore you, as well as give you a purpose in his work.

Scripture References

Scripture scriptures describing Peter’s rejection of Christ include: Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75; Mark 14:29-31, 66-72; Luke 22:31-34, 54-62; and John 13:36-38, 18:25-27, and 21:15-19. Matthew 26:33-35, 69-75; Mark 14:29-31, 66-72

Peter Denies Jesus Story Summary

The Last Supper had just been completed by Jesus Christ and his apostles. During his ministry, Jesus identified Judas Iscariot as the apostle who would betray him. A terrible prophecy was delivered by Jesus after that. He predicted that all of his disciples would desert him at his time of trial. He was correct. Despite the fact that the others had abandoned Jesus, the impulsive Peter swore to stay by his side no matter what happened: “Lord, I am prepared to accompany you into jail and to death.” (Luke 22:33, New International Version) Jesus responded by saying that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crooned.

Peter took his sword and slashed the ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest, with it.

Then Jesus was led away to the house of Joseph Caiaphas, the high priest, where he remained until his death.

A servant girl observed Peter sitting by a fire, warming himself, and accused him of being with Jesus.

Later on, Peter was accused of being with Jesus once more, this time by the authorities.

Last but not least, a third individual stated that Peter’s Galilean dialect revealed him to be a disciple of the Nazarene.

A rooster crowed right at that moment.

Later that day, Peter and six other disciples went fishing on the Sea of Galilee, where they saw Jesus’ resurrection.

Peter jumped into the sea and swam to the shore to greet him: ” “Simon son of John, do you honestly love me more than these?” Jesus said of Simon Peter after they had finished eating.

“Simon son of John, do you genuinely love me?” Jesus inquired yet another time.

“Take good care of my sheep,” Jesus instructed.

Peter was saddened when Jesus questioned him, for the third time, “Do you love me?” Peter didn’t know how to respond.

“Feed my sheep,” Jesus instructed.

“Follow me!” he said as he approached him.

Peter had denied the Lord a total of three times. Now he confirms his love for Jesus three times in a row. In a similar vein, the Lord commissions Peter to care for the sheep on three separate occasions.

Lessons from the Story

According to the tale, Jesus Christ is anxious to forgive us and reestablish our connection with him despite our own human faults, failings, and sins, as seen by his own death and resurrection. The Lord’s admonition to Peter to take care of his sheep indicated that Peter had been completely forgiven and restored to his rightful place in the world. The Lord desires to return us to a level of confidence regardless of our past transgressions or how far we have fallen from our previous position.

Points of Interest

This story is recorded in all four Gospels, although only the Gospel of John describes Peter’s restoration by Jesus. The accusers differ in each of the four tales
Nevertheless, Peter’s fearful reaction to them is continuous throughout. His fear that he might meet the same destiny as Jesus drove him to deny Jesus three times and then three times to profess his love for Jesus. In his first two inquiries, Jesus used the term ” agape ” and in his third inquiry, he used the word ” phileo ” as if he were asking, “Are you truly my friend?” Peter sat beside a fire during both his denials and restorations. In the Bible, fire can represent destruction, but it can also represent cleaning and the Holy Spirit
Jesus foretold how Peter would die. In Rome, according to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down when he courageously professed his faith in Jesus and refused to repent