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One of the most striking episodes in Peter's life recorded in the Gospels is his threefold denial of Jesus. Despite being one of Jesus' closest disciples, Peter acted out of fear and cowardice under the pressure of Jesus' arrest and trial. You will find this story in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18.
Peter was one of the most notable disciples of Jesus Christ. However, he was also a man of highs and lows. Before his true conversion, Peter denied knowing his Master three times. Jesus had been arrested and was being interrogated by the Jewish authorities. All his friends had fled, and Peter denied Him, fearing the consequences.
How Peter’s Denials Happened
It was Jesus’ last night with His disciples. Peter and the others had already had their feet washed by the Master and had shared the Last Supper. Jesus gave a beautiful speech of encouragement and farewell.
After the supper, they sang a hymn and went to the Mount of Olives to spend time in prayer. Little did the disciples know that in moments, Jesus would be arrested and put on trial.
Peter is Warned
On the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus revealed that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. Jesus also predicted that all the disciples would abandon Him, but Peter declared his loyalty, promising never to do so (Matthew 26:35, Luke 22:33). Jesus reiterated His warning, but Peter insisted that even if he had to die, he would never deny Him (Mark 14:31).
Later, in Gethsemane, Jesus was arrested after Judas' betrayal, and all the disciples fled. Peter followed Jesus from a distance to the house of the high priest, where Jesus was tried by the religious leaders.
Peter’s First Denial
While Jesus was being questioned, Peter entered the courtyard of the high priest and sat outside with the guards, warming himself by the fire. One of the high priest’s servant girls saw him there and said that he was one of those who had been with Jesus. Peter denied it and left (Matthew 26:69-70, Mark 14:66-68, Luke 22:54-57, and John 18:16-18).
Peter’s Second Denial
Peter then moved toward the gateway, where he was asked again if he was one of Jesus' disciples. Peter denied it again (John 18:25). There was a stir among those present. The Gospel of Mark says that the woman who had seen him continued to tell those nearby that he was one of those who had been with Jesus (Mark 14:69-70). Matthew says that another servant also recognized him (Matthew 26:71-72). In Luke’s Gospel, it is said that a man recognized him, but Peter denied it again (Luke 22:58).
Peter’s Third Denial
A little while later, some of those standing nearby confronted Peter, saying, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean" (Mark 14:70-72). But Peter began to curse and swear that he did not know the Man they were talking about. At that very moment, the rooster crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him, and he began to weep.
They likely recognized Peter by his Galilean accent, as Matthew explains (Matthew 26:73-74). John provides an interesting detail about who recognized him the third time. According to him, it was another servant of the high priest, a relative of Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off in the Garden of Gethsemane (John 18:26-27).
The Gospel of Luke adds that, at the moment Peter made the last denial, the rooster crowed. At that same moment, Jesus turned and looked at Peter, reminding him of what He had already warned. Peter went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:60-62).
This episode of Peter's denial invites us to reflect on our own weaknesses and to trust in the mercy and love of Jesus, who lifts us up and restores us even when we fail. Pride, overconfidence, and immaturity can lead us to reject the Lord. Here are some of Peter’s attitudes that may have led him to deny Jesus.
But Why? 7 Factors That Contributed to Peter's Denial of Jesus
- Rashness - He was hasty and imprudent, as when he said he would never abandon the Lord.
- Negligence - Peter ignored Jesus' warning about his imminent denial.
- Lack of Vigilance - Instead of watching and praying, Peter and the others slept.
- Following from Afar - Peter distanced himself from Jesus - physically and spiritually.
- Fear of Judgment - He feared the consequences of being identified as a follower of Jesus.
- Bad Company - Peter associated with those who arrested and condemned Jesus (John 18:18).
- Arrogance, Presumption - He showed excessive confidence in himself. Peter considered himself better than the other disciples (Matthew 26:33).
This moment reveals human frailty and the ability to fail, even among the most fervent followers of Christ. However, this story also highlights the greatness of Jesus' grace and forgiveness, as He restored Peter after the resurrection, confirming him as one of the pillars of the early church.
Bible Passages About Peter’s Denial of Jesus
The Bible references that narrate how Peter denied Jesus are found in Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18.
Gospel of Luke 22
Jesus Warns Peter
31 "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."
33 But Peter replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
Peter’s First Denial
54 Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
55 And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.
56 A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, "This man was with him."
57 But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.
Peter’s Second Denial
58 A little later someone else saw him and said, "You also are one of them."
"Man, I am not!" Peter replied.Peter’s Third Denial
59 About an hour later another asserted, "Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean."
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 22:31-34, 54-62
Gospel of Matthew 26
Jesus Warns Peter
31 Then Jesus told them, "This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33 Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
34 "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."
35 But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.
Peter’s First Denial
69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
70 But he denied it before them all. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
Peter’s Second Denial
71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72 He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"
Peter’s Third Denial
73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away."
74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.
75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
- Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75
Gospel of Mark 14
Jesus Warns Peter
27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.'
28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
29 Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
30 "Truly I tell you," Jesus answered, "today - yes, tonight - before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
31 But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same.
Peter’s First Denial
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.
67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said.
68 But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway. When the rooster crowed.
Peter’s Second Denial
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them."
70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean."
Peter’s Third Denial
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know this man you're talking about."
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.
- Mark 14:27-31, 66-72
Gospel of John 18
Peter Denies Jesus
15 Simon 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,
16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.Peter’s First Denial
17 "You aren't one of this man's disciples too, are you?" she asked Peter. He replied, "I am not."
Peter’s Second Denial
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.
25 Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, "You aren't one of his disciples too, are you?" He denied it, saying, "I am not."
Peter’s Third Denial
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 garden?"
27 Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
- John 18:15-18, 25-27