Surprise By Love

Peter was all guts and little brains. He boldly declared, “Though everyone else shall deny you, I will remain firm and stand by your side” (Matt. 26:33). But you know the story. Or do you?

It has been taught that Peter denied Jesus three times and then the cock crowed. But is that really what happened? Did Peter deny Christ three times before the cock crowed (John 13:38), or six times before the cock crowed twice (Mark 14:30, 72)?

Now follow with me because this is fascinating. Afterwards, I will apply this in a way that magnifies Christ’s love and the kind of love we should also have toward one another. But follow my train of thought. I will show you that Peter actually denied Jesus for a total of six times – the first three times and then the cock crowed, and then another three times and the cocked crowed again for a total of two crows resulting in Peter’s six denials.

The situation all begins with Jesus' prophecy to His disciples in Matthew 26.
31Then 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.' 32But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

This sparked Peter’s response to Jesus - Matt. 26:33: 33Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

Now Jesus delivers His infamous prophecy concerning Peter’s denials.

34"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." 35But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same.

You will find the same speech in Luke 22:34 and John 13:38.

Now only in the Gospel of Mark is it mentioned that Jesus said anything about the cock crowing “twice.”

30"I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times” – Mark 14

So, in the Gospels of Matthew, Luke and John, Jesus clearly stated that Peter will deny Him three times before the cock crows. Only in the Gospel of Mark does Jesus state Peter’s denials with the addition of the cock crowing twice.

Now let’s move into the actual account of Peter’s denials. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was taken immediately to Annas, the high priest. Now remember, there were two high priests reigning at the same time – Annas and Caiaphas (Luke 3:2). Caiaphas was the legitimate high priest (A.D. 18-36), whereas Annas ruled as high priest from A.D. 6-15.

However, Annas continued to exercise his authority as a result of amassing great political and momentary power and being the “father-in-law” of Caiaphas (cf. John 18:13). Now keep this in mind, because during the “religious” trials of Jesus, He will be brought before Annas and Caiaphas on separate occasions.

Jesus before Annas – “They bound him and brought him first to Annas” (John 18:12-13).

When Jesus was arrested and the disciples had escape capture on the account that Jesus wanted it that way, Peter later at a distance followed Jesus to His first trial before Annas.

15Simon 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, 16but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the girl on duty there and brought Peter in (John 18:15-16).

A girl (woman) served at the palace door. John went into the palace leaving Peter outside. John comes back outside, talks to the girl, and Peter is admitted.

While present, the girl questions Peter in regard to his being a disciple of the Lord Jesus.

Peter’s First Denial

17"You are not one of his disciples, are you?" the girl at the door asked Peter. He replied, "I am not” (John 18:17).

The story continues. The setting is still at the palace of Annas. It is cold and so a fire is made – John 18:18: 18It 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.

After Jesus was personally questioned inside the palace by Annas, He was then sent bound to Caiaphas, the other high priest (the son-in-law of Annas).

24Then Annas sent him, still bound, to Caiaphas the high priest – John 18:24; cf. Matt. 26:57

Now Jesus before Caiaphas.

Peter followed Jesus from a distance unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end (Matt. 26:58).

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes (Mark 14:53).

And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire -- Mark 14:54; Luke 22:55. This is another fire in another location. Remember, Jesus is now before Caiaphas and brought into his house (Luke 22:54).

Peter is sitting at the fire along with the servants when a maid asserts that he is with Jesus – Matt. 26:69; Mark 14:66.

And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, “And you also was with Jesus of Nazareth” (Mark 14:67; Luke 22:56).

Peter’s Second Denial

But Peter denied before them all, saying, “I don’t know not what you are talking about!” (Matthew 26:70; Luke 22:57)

Peter goes into the porch and another maid accuses him of being with the Lord Jesus.

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” -- Matthew 26:71

Peter’s Third Denial
And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Matthew 26:72

Now comes the FIRST Crow of the Rooster

And he went out into the porch; and the rooster crew
(Mark 14:68).

A maid sees Peter once more, this time on the porch, and makes her allegation to those present – “This is one of them” (Mark 14:69).

Peter’s Fourth Denial

And he denied it again (Mark 14:70).

Still on the porch, after a while those that stood by insist Peter is one of Jesus’ disciples.

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, surely you also are one of them; for your speech betrays you (Matthew 26:73; Mark 14:70; Luke 22:58).

Peter’s Fifth Denial

Peter said, “Man, I am not!” (Luke 22:58; John 18:25)

The account continues after about an hour, another person says confidently, “Truly this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean” (Luke 22:59).

Then one of the servants of the high priest, being his relative whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did not I see thee in the garden with him? (John 18:26)

And this point, Peter begins to curse and swear in his denial of knowing Jesus.

Peter’s Sixth Denial

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man (Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:71; Luke 22:60; John 18:27).

The Second Crow of the Rooster

And immediately the cock crew (Matthew 26:74; Mark 14:72; Luke 22:60; John 18:27).

Again, only in the Gospel of Mark (14:72), does it mention that the rooster crowed twice and ties that prophecy to the words of Jesus. ⁷²Immediately 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.

And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, who said unto him, “Before the cock crow, thou shall deny me three times.” And he went out, and wept bitterly (Matthew 26:75; Mark 14:72; Luke 22:61-62).

So there you have it, a total of six denials by Peter. When the first three occurred, the rooster crowed for the first time. When Peter’s second three denials occurred, the rooster crowed for the second time -- a total of two crows indicating Peter’s six denials that had been fulfilled JUST AS JESUS SAID!

Now if that does not put hairs on your chest regarding the accuracy of Jesus’ words and the authority and inspiration of the Bible, nothing will.

But, I said all that simply to show this. In John 21, after Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus and Peter make contact for the very first time since Peter’s horrific six denials. I guarantee you this – Peter did not expect Jesus to show any love for him after his boastful statement of how although others would deny Him, he (Peter) would remain true.

And yet, that’s exactly what Jesus did. He showed His love for Peter when Peter least expected it – Notice John 21:15-17

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.

You see, we need to love people when they least expect it and least deserve it. When we love people who expect to be loved or deserve to be loved, that does not count for much. This is why buying a gift for someone on their birthday is like breaking even. They expect it.

But if you and I are really going to impact people like Jesus did, love them when they have just made the biggest mistake of their life and everyone else has deserted them.

This is how Jesus loved Peter – at a time when he least expected or deserved it. Can we also do the same? Of course we can with the love of God controlling us. Jesus comes out of nowhere and surprises us with His unconditional love.

How many times in your life can you attest to that? Now who in your life needs love, but expects it less from you? Surprise the person with the love that God has loved you with.