The Enormity of Peter's Sinful Six Denials of Christ

The Seriousness and Extent of Peter's 6 Denials - There Is No Contradiction

COPYRIGHT © 09/05/08; 4/1/10; 4/7/11
by L. Tyler
http://biblicalmaturity.yuku.com/forums/66
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San Diego, CA 91976

The purpose of this file is to present another view of "Easter", or Passover,

events. As to Peter's denials, I believe that there is no contradiction between
the Mark prophecy that Peter would deny Christ THREE times before the cock
crowed TWICE, and the prophecy in the other gospels that Peter would deny
Christ THREE times before the cock crowed ONCE. I hope to show that Peter
denied Christ three times before the cock crowed the first time, and then
continued in his error until he had denied Christ at least three more times
before the cock crowed the second time.

My aim is to show the enormity of Peter's sin, and the awesome wonder of
God's grace and forgiveness to Peter after such a terrible fall. For Peter the
truth of the matter was in the proverb, the one who is forgiven the most
loves the most. Jesus predicted Peter's fall and his restoration. In fact, in
predicting his restoration, he assigned a very important ministry to Peter
knowing full well how awful his fall would be.

Jesus came and died for us knowing full well we would sin and have sinned.
He loves us in spite of our failures and shortcomings because He is the God
who is unselfish and compassionate cherishing. Our God, who knew the sin
and the sinning "saint" of 1 Cor. 5, also knew that 1 Cor. 5 would result in
repentance (2 Cor. 2) resulting from godly sorrow (2 Cor. 7). These passages
show that the repentant and sorrowing sinning "saint" is to welcomed back in
the full Love of the fellowship of the saints/church. The Lord gave Peter the
comfort (2 Cor. 1) of being among the first to see Him after His resurrection
and used him mightily throughout the book of Acts. So God forgives and
recommissions His children even after awful and public failure in the lives.

Consider Peter's denials. They are at least distinguished by where it

happened, who spoke to whom, and what was said. If you went further and
distinguished them by what Peter said, you would come up with even more
denials than the six listed below.

1. PETER'S FIRST DENIAL TO A GIRL DOORKEEPER as he STOOD at the door.

***John 18: 15 Now Simon Peter followed Jesus, and the other disciple. But
that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the
palace of the high priest; 16 but Peter stood at the door without. The other
disciple therefore, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to
the porteress and brought in Peter. 17 The maid therefore, who was
porteress, says to Peter, "Are you also of the disciples of this man?" He says,
"I am not".

2. PETER'S SECOND DENIAL, STANDING BY THE FIRE, TO THOSE NEAR HIM IN

THE COURTYARD.
***JOHN 18: 18 But the bondmen and officers, having made a fire of coals
(for it was cold), stood and warmed themselves; and Peter was standing with
them and warming himself. . . . . 25 But Simon Peter was standing and
warming himself. They said therefore to him, "Are you also of his disciples?
"He denied, and said, "I am not."

3. PETER'S THIRD DENIAL TO THE HIGH PRIEST'S FEMALE SERVANT, AS HE

SAT IN THE PALACE-COURT, AND THE FIRST COCK CROW AFTER PETER'S
FIRST THREE DENIALS.
***Matt 26: 69 ¶ But Peter sat outside in the PALACE-COURT; and A MAID
came to him, saying, "And you were with Jesus the Galilaean." 70 But he
denied before all, saying, "I do not know what you say."
***JOHN 18:26 One of the BONDMEN OF THE HIGH PRIEST, who was kinsman
of him whose ear Peter cut off, says, "Did not I see you in the garden with
him?" 27 Peter denied therefore again, and IMMEDIATELY THE COCK CREW.
***Mark 14:66 ¶ And Peter being below in the PALACE-COURT, there comes
one of the MAIDS of the high priest, 67 and seeing Peter warming himself,
having looked at him, says, "And you were with the Nazarene, Jesus." 68 But
he denied, saying, "I know not nor understand what you say." And he went
out into the vestibule; and A COCK CREW.

4. PETER'S FOURTH DENIAL TO A SERVANT/SLAVE GIRL, AS HE SAT BY THE

FIRE IN THE COURT AT THE ENTRANCE.
***MATT. 26: 71 And when he had gone out into the entrance, another MAID
saw him, and says to those there, "This man also was with Jesus the
Nazaraean." 72 And again he denied with an oath: "I do not know the man."
***MARK 14: 69 And the MAID, seeing him, again began to say to those that
stood by, "This is one of them." 70 And he again denied. . . .
***Luke 22: 54 ¶ . . . And Peter followed afar off. 55 And they having lit a fire
in the midst of THE COURT and sat down together, PETER SAT among them.
56 And a certain MAID, having seen him sitting by the light, and having fixed
her eyes upon him, said, "And this man was with him." 57 But he denied him,
saying, "WOMAN, I do not know him."

5. PETER'S FIFTH DENIAL TO A MALE

***LUKE 22: 58 And after a short time ANOTHER MALE seeing him said, "And
you are [one] of them." But Peter said, "Man, I am not."
6. PETER'S SIXTH DENIAL TO THOSE WHO STOOD BY, and the second time a
cock crowed after three more denials by Peter.
***MATT. 26: 73 And after a little, those who STOOD there, coming to him,
said to Peter, "Truly you too are [one] of them, for also yor speech makes
you known." 74 Then he began to curse and to swear, "I know not the man."
And immediately the COCK CROWED.
***MARK 14: 70 . . . . And again, after a little, those that STOOD BY said to
Peter, "Truly you are one of them, for also you are a Galilean." 71 But he
began to curse and to swear, "I know not this man of whom you speak." 72
AND THE SECOND TIME A COCK CROWED. . . . .
***LUKE 22:59 And after the lapse of about one hour ANOTHER stoutly
maintained it, saying, "In truth this man also was with him, for also he is a
Galilaean." 60 And Peter said, "Man, I know not what you say." And
immediately, while he was yet speaking, the COCK CROWED.

PETER'S GRIEF OVER HIS SIN.

***MT. 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said to him,
"Before the cock crow you shall deny me three times." And he went forth
without, and wept bitterly.
***MK 14: 72 AND THE SECOND TIME A COCK CROWED. And Peter
remembered the word that Jesus said to him, "Before the cock crow twice,
you shall deny me three times;" and when he thought thereon he wept.
***LK 22:61 And the Lord, turning round, looked at Peter; and Peter
remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him, "Before the cock crow
you shall deny me three times." 62 And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Was it worldly sorrow and grieving that results in death? No, his sorrow was
godly for we saw Peter go on in repentance with Jesus, being used mightily.
***2 COR 7:8* For if also I grieved you in the letter, I do not regret it, if even I
have regretted it; for I see that that letter, if even it were only for a time,
grieved you. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you have been grieved, but that you all
have been grieved to repentance; for you all have been grieved according to
God, that in nothing you might be injured by us. 10 For grief according to
God works repentance to salvation, never to be regretted; but the grief of
the world works death. 11 For, behold, this same thing, your being grieved
according to God, how much diligence it wrought in *you*, but what excusing
of yourselves, but what indignation, but what fear, but what ardent desire,
but what zeal, but what vengeance: in every way ye have proved yourselves
to be pure in the matter.

His sorrow was godly sorrow that resulted in godly repentance and the
following:
***2 Cor 2: 5* ¶ But if any one has grieved, he has grieved, not me, but in
part (that I may not overcharge you) all of you. 6 Sufficient to such a one is
this rebuke which has been inflicted by the many; 7 so that on the contrary
ye should rather show grace and encourage, lest perhaps such a one should
be swallowed up with excessive grief. 8 Wherefore I exhort you to assure him
of your love. 9 For to this end also I have written, that I might know, by
putting you to the test, if as to everything you all are obedient. 10 But to
whom you forgive anything, *I* also; for I also, what I have forgiven, if I have
forgiven anything, it is for your sakes in the person of Christ; 11 that we
might not have Satan get an advantage against us, for we are not ignorant of
*his* thoughts.
***John21:15 When they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of
John, do you Love Me more than these? He said to Him, Yes, Lord, You know
that I have friendly love for You. He said to him, Feed My lambs. 16 Again He
said to him the second time, Simon, son of John, do you Love Me? He said to
Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I have friendly for You. He said to him,
Shepherd (tend) My sheep. 17 He said to him the third time, Simon, son of
John, do you have friendly love for Me? Peter was grieved (was saddened and
hurt) that He should ask him the third time, Do you have friendly love for
Me? And he said to Him, Lord, You know everything; You know that I have
friendly love for You. Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep. . . . 19 . . . And after
this, He said to him, Follow Me!

So towards the end of his life on earth Peter, the one who had fallen from
steadfastness, was moved by the Spirit of God to write:
***2Pt3:17 You all, therefore, beloved, knowing these things before, take
care lest, being led away along with the error of the wicked, you all should
fall from your own stedfastness: 18 but grow in grace, and in the knowledge
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and to the
day of eternity. Amen.

Have you fallen away from steadfastness in Jesus, like Peter? Then like Peter
agree with Jesus about your sin and call on Him to work and will in you the
forsaking of your falling away, the growing in grace and the knowledge of
Jesus to which He calls you. (Prov 28:13; 1 Jn 1:9; Heb 13:20, 21). Peter, like
the Prodigal Son fell into sin and ate spiritual pig food. Like the Prodigal Son,
Peter turned to Jesus and away from his sin, to find Jesus' Love and
forgiveness. The Prodigal's father, like the Father, Loved Peter when he was
snared in his sin and when he turned from his sin to be reconciled with Jesus.
Like the Prodigal's father, the Father saw the godly sorrow of repentant Peter
and embraced him with His great Love. Father is ready and waiting for you.
Will you agree with Him about the wrong you have done and forsake it to
come to Him for reconciliation and reunion?

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FOOTNOTES
>11. Darby's 1890 translation: Most of the scriptures
quoted in this work, if
not otherwise indicated, are from the a modernized
version of J. N. Darby's
translation, the OnLine Bible computer program of
"Online Bible f ", Ken
Hammil 1-908-741-4298; [E-Mail: khamel@aol.com].
>14. HASTING'S DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE; 1989,
Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., Peabody, Mass;, Editor
James Hastings, DD.,
>16. INTERNATIONAL BIBLE COMMENTARY, THE;
Editor, F.F.Bruce; 1979; Zondervan Publishing
House, Grand Rapids Michigan.
>18. JEWISH: The Holy Scriptures according to the
Masoretic Text, 1955, The Jewish Publication
Society.
>20. LAMSA: The Holy Bible from Ancient Eastern
Manuscripts, 1940, Holman Co., by G. Lamsa.
>25. NASB: Holy Bible New American Standard;
Broadman & Holman Publishers, Nashville Tenn.; The
Lockman Foundation, 1977
>26. NEB: NEW ENGLISH BIBLE, 1970;
Oxford/Cambridge University Press
>27. NEW BIBLE DICTIONARY, THE; Editor J.D.Douglas
Ph.D; 1962; W. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand
Rapids, Mich.
>28. NEW TESTAMENT GREEK FOR BEGINNERS, By, J.
Gresham Machen, D.D, Litt. D.,1959
>29. NIV: "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW
INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright @ 1973, 1978,
1984 International Bible Society." Used as required by
Zondervan Bible Publishers.
>30. NKJV: New King James Version, 1984, Thomas
Nelson, Inc.
>31. OnLine Bible computer program of "Online Bible f
", Ken Hammil; [E-Mail:
khamel@aol.com].
>34. Strong∂s Lexicon, Open Bible "Online Bible f", Ken
Hammil Also Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Mich.