Knowing The Word in Luke 22:54-62, Peter Denies Jesus

Peter’s denial of Jesus is recorded in all four gospels with some differences in its accounting, but the overall story remains the same. The arresting party takes Jesus to the high priest rather than the Roman authorities. This is the first stop. When asked by a slave girl if he knew Jesus, Peter immediately denies knowing him. Why did he not admit to knowing Jesus? There was no threat against him and the disciples. Then someone claims Peter is a member of Jesus’ group. This goes beyond the slave girl’s memory of seeing Peter with Jesus. Peter denies Jesus a second time. The last charge that Peter is a Galilean and was with Jesus is the most serious of the charges. The man is certain, and Peter’s accent has given him away. John says that this man was a relative of the slave whose ear Peter cut off. In his third denial, Peter could have not have been clearer in his repudiation of being involved with Jesus. Only Luke records that when the rooster crowed that Jesus turned and looked at Peter. The effect on Peter is shattering.

Luke 22:54-62

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.

Prayer

We humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities; and for the glory of thy name turn from us all those evils that we most righteously have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honor and glory; through our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Church of England, Book of Common Prayer