Knowing The Word in Luke 22:54-62

Peter Denies Jesus

22:54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest's house, and Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.” 57 But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” 58 And a little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after an interval of about an hour still another insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went out and wept bitterly.

Comments

Peter’s denial of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels with some problematic differences in its accounting. However, the problems are in details that can be explained away by different eyewitness accounts. The primary meaning we are to take away is that Jesus’ closest confidant chose to deny him publicly to protect himself.

Because it was the high priest rather than the Romans who took the initiative in arresting Jesus, the high priest’s residence was the first stop. Peter followed to observe after all the other disciples, except for John, had fled. A servant girl recognized him as a follower of Jesus. Why should Peter not have admitted to it? There was no threat against him. Recognized again, he denied knowing Jesus a second time and then a third after being called a Galilean. This was the most serious of the charges. The man was certain, and Peter’s accent gave him away. (John writes that this man was a relative of the slave whose ear Peter had cut off.) Peter could have not been clearer in his repudiation of being involved with Jesus. Then the rooster crowed.

Only Luke mentions that Jesus turned and looked at Peter after the third denial. The effect on Peter was shattering. It was the last time Peter would look at Jesus face to face until the resurrection.

Application

How do you identify with Peter and his denial? In Mel Gibson’s Passion of the Christ, the look between Jesus and Peter was the most powerful moment in the movie for me. It reminded me that I have not always been loyal to Jesus.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, even when I am not loyal to you, you are loyal to me. Through your Spirit, strengthen my fealty to you.