Bible Study & Exploration
Why Did Peter Deny Jesus?
Now that we’ve looked at why Peter was following Jesus after His arrest, let’s find the answer to the more important question. Why did Peter deny Jesus?
(Verses 19-22) According to Jewish law, it was customary to have two or more witnesses in a court of trial in order for a testimony to be rendered valid.
In this sham trial before the high priest Annas, Jesus is questioned without being charged. He points those questioning Him to the many witnesses He has that heard Him speak throughout His ministry. But in this particular moment, the law doesn’t appear to matter much to the high priests.
There is no other gospel of the four that details the contention between Christ and the Jewish leadership. John makes certain to illuminate that hypocrisy among the Jewish leaders.
(Verses 22-24) Jesus challenges them to point to the truth of His wrongdoing. But they were left speechless, because there was no truth in them. They are of their father the Devil.
Because they couldn’t answer to Jesus’ request, Annas sent Christ off to Caiaphas.
Peter’s Last Two Denials
(Verses 25-27) While this was taking place, Peter was still trying to blend in with the crowd warming himself by the fire. He was then challenged twice as a follower of Jesus. He denied the challenge both times.
By this moment, Peter had denied Christ three times. Then suddenly, Peter heard the rooster crow and he remembered what his Messiah had said about his denial.
Luke records in his account what Jesus did at the moment the rooster crowed.
“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.”
(Luke 22:61)
At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced the hurt of letting someone down that we love. The pain associated with that can be excruciated. Even more so, when you make eye contact with the hurting eyes of the one that you let down.
Luke only states that Jesus looked at Peter. He doesn’t mention a look of anger or disappointment. He only describes that they made eye contact.
The look could’ve meant that what was intended to happen to Peter that moment was complete, just as Jesus described. It could’ve also been a look of Christ’ great concern for Peter. Besides knowing that this was going to happen to Peter, Jesus knew that it would shake Peter to his core. It would break him down like nothing else could.
Peter is Sifted Like Wheat By Satan
Jesus’ concern for Peter is clearly evident in these words.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)
Jesus is aware that Satan is going to shake them all to their core. But He especially points out His prayer for Peter pointing to his denial. But look carefully at Jesus’ words, “And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
In other words, He’s telling Peter after you’ve denied me and you turn back toward me in faithfulness, help to strengthen your brothers (fellow disciples).
Here is a man that has voiced his devotion to his Teacher on more than one occasion. The one who just denied Christ was owner of these words, “I will lay down my life for you. (John 13:37), Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death (Luke 22:33), Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Mark 14:31), and “Even if all fall away, I will not (Mark 14:29).”
The man who said all of these things and meant them has just been rattled to his core by Satan and his walls of human strength were crumbling upon him. Peter was broken and had been emptied of himself. He had been sifted to his core like never before. Now he was ready for the next step.
But first, why did Peter deny Jesus? There are several reasons. Let’s take a look at each one.
Peter Takes the Easy Way Out
Under the grip of fear, Peter chose the human way out of his predicament. He took the path of instant gratification. Denying Christ and feeling the relief from the fear of death that hung over him.
He could’ve chose the difficult path that would’ve led to delayed gratification which would have brought him to the ultimate prize of eternal life with Christ. But instead, he picked the easy way out of his dilemma.
This is what happens to us when we push aside the Spirit in us to allow for the flesh to make decision for us.
A Foreshadowing of the Last Days
This scene of the beginning of Jesus’ Passion is a foreshadowing of these last days. There will be a great falling away from the faith. This shouldn’t be a surprise as Jesus taught us about this already.
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,”
(Matthew 24:10)
This is taken from His Olivet Discourse as He speaks of the events that will take place in the last days.
At the same time, Satan will be working with vigor to sift those who only follow Christ with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. Many will believe they’re following Christ, but will be falsely led down the broad path of destruction.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” (Matthew 7:13)
Notice, Jesus had barely two followers with him. The majority had left His side.
Let’s take a look at two more reasons why Peter denies Jesus.
Peter the Rock
As we’ve seen, Peter voices his love and devotion for his Teacher and Messiah throughout the New Testament. But let’s take a closer look at the man, Peter and what Jesus had in store for this follower of Christ.
“The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).” (John 1:41-42)
Here, Jesus changes Simon’s name to Peter. But notice throughout the scriptures, he’s often called Simon Peter. It’s as if to say that Simon Peter’s transformation has not fully taken place. Christ’ plan involves more than just a name change for Simon. He’s going to experience a transformation like no other. Thus he’s going to eventually live up to the meaning of his name.
This plan begins to be revealed in this next passage.
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
(Matthew 16:16-18)
In the scene of Peter’s denial of Christ, is Peter the rock (cornerstone of the church) for which Jesus intends to make of him? Absolutely, not! Then, why not?
A transformation has to occur before Peter is made into the rock which will be the cornerstone of Jesus’ church.
The Core Reason for Peter’s Denial of Christ
Peter’s denial of Christ had to happen. Christ knew it was going to happen. It was ordained so that it would be allowed to happen. Just as Christ had to be crucified. Jesus even reminded him that he would be sifted like wheat by Satan.
But why?
Peter’s denial of Jesus broke Peter down to his core. His very being was shaken until there was nothing left. He was a completely empty vessel. Empty of himself.
Many might have taken their own life if they lived through what Peter experienced. But not Peter, God had much greater plans for Peter. But why would God break him down and fully empty this human vessel of himself.
We can find the answer in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.
“Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
There Peter was weeping in his weakness, an empty vessel. A vessel that the Lord could fill with the power of Christ. So that Peter could finally become the “rock” that God intended for him to become.
God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
Empty Us O Lord of Ourselves!
Peter final fulfilled God’s intention for him. He went on to become the strength for his fellow disciples. Then he became known as the evangelist to the Jews, converting many of his own Jewish brothers and sisters to Christ. The Lord even made a way for His “Rock” to have two letters written by him included in the New Testament.
As Christians, it’s a good thing to include in our daily prayers a request that the Lord might empty us of our fleshly thoughts, actions and desires and to make more room for the power of Christ to reside in us through His Holy Spirit. Amen!
Let’s quickly take a look at one last reason why Peter denied Jesus.
His Faithfulness Endures Through All Ages
God demonstrates to us through Peter’s denial of his faithfulness and love for His creation.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
Even while we sinned He loved us and gave us His Son to die on a cross to take our sins away from us. And even when we lose faith, He never does.
“if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.” (2 Timothy 2:13)
“For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.” (Psalm 117:2)
Peter became unfaithful when he denied Christ three times. But the Lord remained faithful to him. And He made him into a vessel filled with the strength of Jesus Christ.
Praise the Lord for His loving kindness and His faithfulness that endures forever, Amen!
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