KNOWING GOD – THE GOD OF LOVE
[With Reference to the Events Concerning Jesus’ “Passion,” note how Jesus’ love is amazingly displayed throughout and therefore ‘stand in awe of God, the Most High.’]
Lesson Thirty
At the High Priest’s House (Caiaphas) – Cont’d. [Peter’s Denial and Jesus’ Conviction] – Matthew 26:69-27:2 (Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-18, 25-27)
Peter’s Denial:
Matthew 26:69-75 – 69Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
71Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”
72He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”
73After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.”
74Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”
Immediately a rooster crowed. 75Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
V.69-70 – Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard – The following passages show how he came to be “sitting out in the courtyard.”
Matthew 26:58 – But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
John 18:15-16 – 15Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
And a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
70But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. – Note Mark’s account: Mark 14:68 (NKJV) – But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
Note that this was the first denial.
John adds: John 18:18 – It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
This was while the events of Matthew 26:59-68 were in progress.
Application: Many temptations may be overcome by heeding 2 Timothy 2:3 – Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
(AMP) – Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus.
V.71-75 – V.73 – After a little while – Luke 22:59 – About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.”
… those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away.” – John adds: John 18:26 – One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the olive grove?”
It is assumed that this made Peter extremely fearful.
V.74 – Immediately a rooster crowed – Mark adds: Mark 14:72 – Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
Luke adds: Luke 22:61 – 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.”
V.75 – Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” – Note: Mark 14:27-31. – 27“You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “`I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
28But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
29Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
30“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “today–yes, tonight–before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.”
31But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
Luke 22:31-34 (AMP) – 31 Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain,
32 But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.
33 And [Simon Peter] said to Him, Lord, I am ready to go with You both to prison and to death.
34 But Jesus said, I tell you, Peter, before a [single] cock shall crow this day, you will three times [utterly] deny that you know Me.
Jesus’ Conviction:
Matthew 27:1-2 – 1Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people came to the decision to put Jesus to death. 2They bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.
V.1 – This was a re-trial, as according to their law the night trial was illegal. Note Luke 22:66-71 – 66At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. 67“If you are the Christ,” they said, “tell us.”
Jesus answered, “If I tell you, you will not believe me, 68and if I asked you, you would not answer. 69But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God.”
70They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?”
He replied, “You are right in saying I am.”
71Then they said, “Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips.”
V.2 – They bound him – This implies that He had been loosed for the trial and was now legally bound, as He had been convicted.
General Application: Let us continue to ask the GOD OF LOVE to help us to heed Hebrews 12:3 – Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
(AMP) – Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.