I am almost done with my study of Matthew! 2 more chapters to go! It has taken me on a few tangents and today's post is another one. When I got to the part of Peter's denial of Christ I decided to look at all 4 versions and how different each author wrote things, and how they observe different things. Again this is very simplistic, because that is who I am, (I wish I didn't always feel compelled to state that!!!), but I hope it blesses any of you.
Matthew 26: 69-75
- 1st Peter just denies knowing Christ. He claims he does not understand
- 2nd Peter denies with an oath. (Getting stronger)
- 3rd Peter invokes (calls out) a curse on himself and begins to swear
- Then the Rooster crows
Mark 14:66-72
- After the first denial, Peter leaves the courtyard and hangs out by the gate.
- The rooster crows once.
- Marks account says the same servant girl who first asked him, speaks to people around her about him, and this brings the 2nd denial.
- The bystanders begin to question Peter, and he invokes the curse.
- The Rooster Crows a 2nd time.
- (This is different from Matthews account of the Rooster crowing just at the end)
- Peter followed at a distance - He ran but not far.
- Luke's is mostly facts, except for one BIG detail - After the Rooster crowed it says in verse 61 - "And the LORD turned and looked at Peter". Can you imagine it!!! To not only hear the Rooster crow, but at that very moment Christ turns and looks at you!! As I write this I feel such intense sorrow! How often do I deny Christ, and he turns to me, and what I see is pain brought on by great LOVE!
- Peter is with another disciple (most likely John)
- This disciple is "known by the High Priest". It says this twice, within this context. I wonder how he was know by him, don't you?
- Because he was known by the High Priest, he was able to go into the court with Jesus. He returned after he ran, and walked the rest of the way with Christ to his crucifixion.
- This disciple was the one who got Peter into the courtyard in the first place, because he was known by the High Priest.
- A servant of the High Priest, who just happened to be a relative of the servant whose ear Peter cut off was one who was observing that Peter was one of those with Jesus.
- At once the Rooster crowed
15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?"
"Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. 18 I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." 19Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"
