Peter's Denial

Illustration of Peter's Denial
Era
Life of Christ
Date
c. AD 30 โ‰ˆ Approximate
Reference
Matthew 26:69-75

Despite boldly insisting he would die before ever denying Jesus, Peter three times denied even knowing him during Jesus' trial before the high priest, the last time with cursing and swearing, exactly as Jesus had predicted he would before the cock crowed twice. In that instant the Lord turned and looked directly at Peter, and Peter, remembering Jesus' words, went out and wept bitterly - a devastating collapse of the disciple who had promised the most confidence. The episode became, through Peter's later restoration at the Sea of Galilee, one of Scripture's most powerful pictures of failure met by grace rather than final rejection.

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Key Passage

Peter's Denial

Matthew 26:69-75

N69ow Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Read full chapter: Matthew 26 โ†’

Meanwhile in the World

The Roman Empire is at its peak under Augustus and Tiberius (Pax Romana). Rome controls the entire Mediterranean world. Roads, common language (Greek), and peace make travel and communication easy - the 'fullness of time.' Herod the Great rules Judea as a client king.

When: c. 5 BC - AD 33

Key Civilizations: Roman Empire (Pax Romana)

Biblical Parallels: Matthew 1-28 , Mark 1-16 , Luke 1-24 , John 1-21

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Peter Peter, originally a fisherman named Simon, was called by Jesus along the Sea of Galilee to become one ofโ€ฆ Jesus Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as the Son of God and the long-awaited Messiah whose coming fulfilled Oldโ€ฆ

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