Skip to content We are all familiar with the story of Peter denying Jesus near the end of His ministry. Often, when I ponder Jesus, I contemplate His divinity, power, and the love and compassion that emanate from His divine nature. However, it’s crucial to remember that Jesus was also human. The agony of rejection from his closest friends was undeniably real and not something that could be easily dismissed due to His divinity. This is why Simon Peter’s denial carries such profound significance. Let’s delve into Peter’s denial and endeavor to elucidate why did Peter deny Jesus and what this tells us about God and why it matters.
Jesus knows you better than you know you
Jesus, in His divine nature, was cognizant of Peter’s denial. He foresaw the unfolding events and understood Peter’s shortcomings.
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22. 31-34
At the time of the Last Supper, Peter felt confident. He was confident in his allegiance to Christ and in his fervent desire to serve Him. However, Jesus prayed that Peter wouldn’t be sifted like wheat by the power of Satan, but that his faith would be strengthened. Despite Peter’s conviction that he was prepared to do anything for Jesus, Jesus’ prediction showed that he possessed a deeper understanding. His awareness of Peter’s denial reveals His insight into Peter’s heart, surpassing even Peter’s own awareness.
In the safe confines of our friends and environment, as in Peter’s situation with Jesus’ disciples in the upper room, it’s easy to inflate our intentions and the condition of our hearts. In such safe moments, we tend to project how we would behave in various scenarios, yet we can’t truly predict our actions in challenging circumstances. This uncertainty arises because we often don’t fully understand the depths of our hearts. It’s only during tough times that our true hearts are revealed.
Jesus is abandoned in his most difficult time
Prior to Peter’s denial, Jesus Christ desired his closest friends to accompany him to the Garden of Gethsemane. He wanted them by his side as he prayed. I’ve always pondered Jesus’ reasons for having his friends witness his prayers. Perhaps it was to provide them with a new perspective on the suffering of the Savior. Maybe it was to have the disciples document his prayers and observe how he coped during this challenging time. However, upon recognizing that Jesus of Nazareth was also human and witnessing his immense agony as he pleaded with God, I realized that he simply wanted his friends to be there with him.
There have been moments when I’ve endured hardships, and despite my inclination to withdraw from superficial friendships, I find solace in the company of those closest to me. Somehow, when those dear to you stand by you in times of suffering, the weight of our burdens feels lighter as they are shared with those around us.
Jesus must have desired his closest friends to share his burden, to partake in his suffering. However, the gospel accounts reveal that they could not share in Jesus’ pain; they all slept as he cried out to God. Jesus was left to suffer alone, abandoned by his followers, friends, and eventually even by God. He endured the isolation of agony, alone. He did so to spare us from experiencing the same abandonment. The Son of Man, the suffering servant whom we worship as our God suffered for us. This makes Peter’s denial all the more poignant.
When the Rooster crows Peter denies Jesus a third time
60 Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 61 The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.: Luke 22: 60-62
If being alone during his time of prayer, when he desperately desired companionship, was not distressing enough, Judas Iscariot, another disciple of Jesus, betrayed his Master. Jesus’ arrest unfolded swiftly, and he was taken to the high priest’s house to face questioning by the chief priests. Peter followed at a distance, observing as the religious leaders seized Jesus, likely witnessing their mockery and physical abuse toward him. What was Peter’s response? Despite his earlier boast of being willing to go with Jesus to prison and even unto death, he found himself standing at a distance during this critical moment.
Peter was no stranger to the crowd; being associated with Jesus had made him a minor celebrity. People began to recognize him. After Jesus’ arrest, Peter must have contemplated that his fate might follow a similar trajectory. It was then that he was spotted by a servant girl.
“She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” Luke 22: 56
This marks the first time Peter denies Christ. And then the second time and finally the third denial.
“Man I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Luke 22 : 60
At that moment the Peter hears the cock crow. It is also at this time that Luke’s gospel records the Son of God looks straight at Peter. This must have pierced his heart as he then went outside and wept bitterly.
What thoughts occupied Peter’s mind? Was it peer pressure that prompted his denials? What were the main reasons behind his actions? While Peter’s actions is inexcusable, it is understandable. There have been many instances when I’ve felt compelled to save face or avoid conflict or embarrassment when put on the spot.
When I was in college, I used to volunteer at a nursing home, engaging in conversations with the residents while dressed as Raggedy Andy. I was part of a non-profit organization that offered these services to vulnerable individuals, with the notion that those dressed in costume would be less intimidating and thus more approachable. As part of the costume, I had to wear makeup, which I purchased on my own at a local drug store. When I approached the counter with the blush and eyeliner, I sensed the cashier’s ridicule. Without any provocation, I blurted out, “it’s for my girlfriend.” What was peculiar about that experience was that I didn’t even realize I had lied until a few moments later. It was almost instinctual to fabricate the truth to save face. The fact that I didn’t even have a girlfriend at the time makes the situation even more perplexing.
This relatively benign example is how sometimes on a certain intellectual level we think we will respond a certain way. In Peter’s mind he believed he would be with Jesus no matter what the circumstances. I too would not have thought of lying for such an inconsequential moment. However when an unexpected threat to our personal well being, our life, or for me embarrassment, our natural reaction is to resort to our default position. That is self preservation. The accusations that Peter was subject to were not in a trial in front of the Jewish leaders, but on the sidelines by bystanders. His words were not going to be recorded for legal use, but they were throw away responses that was likely to be immediately forgotten. I would imagine if Peter had time to think about his response and if his words actually had real life consequences, he may have been more bold and not have denied Him.
However he did not have time to deliberate ins mind and he denied Jesus Christ, not once but three times.
Why did Peter Deny Jesus and Why Does this Matter?
I have always believed that a reaction in the heat of the moment is forgivable. I’ve had friends say hurtful things to me during arguments, but when emotions are running high, rationality often takes a backseat. This makes such reactions easily forgivable to me, particularly because I’m aware that I, too, sometimes speak impulsively when upset or provoked.
I see Peter’s denial in a similar light. However, Jesus seemed to regard it more seriously. This begs the question: Why would Jesus treat such a reaction with such seriousness?
When Jesus appeared, it seemed as though he disregarded some of the laws of God prevalent at the time. For instance, he performed healing on the Sabbath and did not strictly adhere to all cleanliness laws. At first glance, it appeared that he was somewhat lax with regard to religious regulations. However, this perception couldn’t be further from the truth.
Jesus not only clarified the laws but also emphasized that mere adherence to them through actions was insufficient. He underscored that sinful thoughts were equally damning. For instance, he equated anger towards one’s brother with the act of murder, and looking at a woman lustfully with adultery. It was this elevated understanding of sin that led Jesus to take Peter’s denials seriously.
While Peter’s denials may have been prompted by a desire for self-preservation, the underlying issue was the prioritization of self-preservation over allegiance to Christ. In that fleeting moment of weakness, Peter faltered because his ingrained thought patterns and actions leaned towards self-preservation, leading him to reject Jesus and lie.
Though seemingly minor, any sin, in God’s eyes, carries weight. Thus, even Peter’s seemingly benign offense was taken seriously by God.
check out this related article: Giving up Control to God
The Purpose of the Cross
If that were the end of the story, then indeed, we would all be doomed. However, this is where the beauty of the work of Jesus Christ shines through. Yes, we are condemned because we have all fallen short of the perfection that God requires. Yet, Jesus willingly bore the punishment that we deserved upon himself. He was rejected and along by all for us. As a result, despite our failures, we are able to have communion with a perfect and holy God.
All of our mistakes, all of our imperfect thoughts are washed away in the eyes of God. He does not see us as failures but instead raises us up as his adopted children.
Conclusion
This is the essence of the good news in the New Testament. We can relate to Peter in his imperfection. His denial of Jesus is something we are all capable of and likely to have done. However, we know the outcome. We know that Jesus still loves him and demonstrated it by sacrificing himself for him. And that, ultimately, is the gospel.
