How Could Peter Deny Jesus?

Let’s read Mark 14:66-72.

I don't know how you feel when you just read the story of Peter's denial of Jesus. While preparing for this sermon, I felt sad, surprised, and disappointed in Peter. Why is that? Two weeks ago, we discussed how the relationship between a rabbi and his students was very close. It differed from the relationship between a teacher and his students in school or between a professor and his students in a seminary today.

Back then, a rabbi and his students lived together in one house or residence so that they could learn from the rabbi more intensively. They lived, ate, and traveled together so that the students not only received theoretical teachings from the teacher but could also see firsthand the teacher's behavior and character and how the teacher carried out his ministry.

That is a picture of the relationship between Peter and his Teacher, Jesus. For three and a half years, Peter lived with Jesus and received teachings and guidance from him. Even, together with James and John, he was a group of disciples who received special treatment from Jesus. Only the three of them were invited by Jesus to accompany Him to certain places. That is why Peter's relationship with Jesus was very special.

Moreover, Peter was the one who gave the correct answer when Jesus asked His disciples who He was. Peter answered loudly, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Hearing this answer, Jesus said to him: "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven" (verse 17). Besides that, Jesus gave him a new name that we now know. In verse 18 Jesus said: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." By giving the name "Peter" which means rock, Jesus hoped that Peter would have firm faith like a rock that remains firm even though it is hit by waves day and night.

Another thing from Peter that we need to remember is his promise to Jesus that, even though the other disciples would leave Jesus, he would never leave Him. He even dared to say that he was willing to die with Jesus. So we see here that Peter had a special relationship with Jesus, knew that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, and promised to be faithful to Jesus. Then, how could he betray Jesus? Let's look again at Mark 14:66-72.

After being arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was put on trial. There were six trials for Jesus, the first three of which Jesus was tried by the Jewish leaders, namely by Annas, the father-in-law of the High Priest Caiaphas, then before the High Priest Caiaphas, then before the Religious Court (Sanhedrin). They finally sentenced Jesus to death because of the false testimonies of the people they paid, and because Jesus claimed that He was the Messiah, the Son of God. However, the Jews were not allowed to carry out the death penalty. That is why they brought Jesus' case to the Roman Court.

First, it was done before the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, where Jesus was accused of political violations. But Pilate found no guilt. After finding out that Jesus was from Galilee, Pilate sent Jesus to King Herod who ruled the region of Galilee. Herod also found no guilt in Jesus and then sent Him back to Pilate again. The last time Pilate tried Jesus on the official trial seat and sentenced Him to death by crucifixion.

When Jesus was tried by the Jewish leaders, it was around 1 to 3 in the morning, that the story in this passage took place.

In verse 50 it is mentioned that after Jesus was arrested, all the disciples left Jesus and ran away. But in verse 54 it is mentioned that Peter followed Jesus from a distance, all the way into the courtyard of the High Priest, and there he sat among the guards while warming himself by the fire. So, compared to the other disciples, Peter was not as bad as them.

According to verses 66-68, while Peter was still downstairs in the courtyard, a servant girl of the high priest saw him warming himself. He recognized Peter's face, so she said: “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.”  Hearing that, Peter denied it and said: "I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about." Then he went to the front porch (and the cock crowed).

Verses 69-71 said that not long afterward, the servant girl saw Peter again. She said to the people there: "This fellow is one of them.” But Peter denied it anyway. Not long afterward the people who were there also said to Peter: "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” They probably knew that Peter was from Galilee because of his accent or because of the words that were typical of Galileans. It is like when we hear someone say: "Howdy," "Y'all," or "Over yonder" we know that the person is from Texas.