Matthew 26:31-35 (also Mk. 14:27-31; Lu. 22:31-34; Jn. 13:21-24, 36-38)

Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, ‘I WILL STRIKE DOWN THE SHEPHERD, AND THE SHEEP OF THE FLOCK SHALL BE SCATTERED.’  32 “But after I have been raised, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.”  33 But Peter said to Him, “Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”  35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You.” All the disciples said the same thing too.

After they partook of the Passover meal, and after Jesus led the ceremony regarding the elements (the bread as His body and the wine as His blood), while they were still at the table, He began revealing to the disciples that they would all fall away from Him. And He backed up His prediction from the Scriptures (in Zechariah 13:7).

It is amazing that Peter and all the others did not believe what Jesus said—even though he quoted from the prophet Zechariah. Apparently, they did not regard the Scriptures as the absolute, true word of God. And it appears that Peter was the most defiant about not denying Him. for he said that even if all the rest of His disciples fall away, he would never fall away. Hence he must have thought of himself as being the strongest in resisting this evil.

But Jesus quickly set Peter straight, telling him that he would definitely deny Him three times that very night. And did Peter change his position? No. He still remained certain in his supposed loyalty. It was amazing how all the disciples’ determination would not be strong enough.

The gospel of Luke (Lu. 22:31-34) has a little different account; bringing Satan into the matter. Jesus said to Peter (note: using the name Simon instead of Peter):

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat;  32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”  33 But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” 34 And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

Notice here that Jesus did not pray that Peter would resist falling away (for it was already prophesied); rather that when he does stumble that his faith would not fail (that is, not fail completely). And he prays also that when he repents and turns back, he would strengthen his brothers. Hence Jesus sees that Peter will be the leader that he was meant to be.

John’s gospel is also different than the others. In John 13:36, when Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are You going?” this is no doubt in response to what He said earlier (in verse 33), “Where I am going, you cannot come.” He was maybe referring to His death, but more likely to His ascension after His death and resurrection.

So here, Peter wanted to go with Him and die with Him if it came to that. But when Jesus said (in verse 36) “Where I go, you cannot follow me now, but you will follow Me later,” I think that Jesus was saying that they would eventually die for Him and then also be resurrected and go to heaven—just as He would.

Then, of course, when Peter insisted on his loyalty, Jesus had to give him the bad news: that he would deny Him three times. These words are found in all four gospels; and unfortunately, is what Peter has been most known for.