Matthew 26:57-58 (also Mk. 14:50-55; Lu. 22:54-56; Jn. 18:12-17)

Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

Of the four gospels Luke was somewhat the same as Matthew, but Mark’s and John’s gospel had more to add. Mark included a young man (probably himself) who was taken captive but managed to escape naked when he pulled free of his loose clothing. John’s gospel includes another disciple (also, probably John himself) who was following Jesus with Peter, who helped Peter to enter with him into the courtyard of the high priest.

For some reason Peter was unable to enter the courtyard and stood at the doorway before John helped him come in; for John knew the high priest and he also had some influence with the doorkeeper. Hence I take it that John was more friendly with people, and Peter was not. But we don’t really know why the doorkeeper would not let him in.

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.

Mark 13:3-5 (also Matt. 24:3; Lu. 21:7)

As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew were questioning Him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign when all these things are going to be fulfilled?”

From Jesus triumphal entry and His cursing of the fig tree, He continued His teaching ministry during His last days in Jerusalem. Here is a list of some of the topics on which Jesus taught.

• His authority—as it was questioned by the Jewish elders
• Three parables
• About paying taxes to Caesar
• No marriage in heaven
• The greatest commandment
• Seven woes on the Pharisees
• The widow’s offering
• Signs of the end times

This last point is where we are now. Jesus was near the temple sitting on the Mount of Olives. Some of His disciples were admiring the temple’s beautiful stones; and then Jesus began to tell them that soon it all would be torn down.

Then Peter (and also James and John and Andrew) were asking Him when these things would happen and what would be the sign of the end of the age. I think Jesus was ready and eager to reveal these things to them; for He spent all of Matthew 24 and 25 (and all of Mark 13, and Luke 21:5-38) speaking in great detail about these things. We have no record during His teaching of any questions or comments from Peter or any of the disciples on this subject of future things. Hence, I imagine that they were intently listening to every word.

Mark 11:20-23 (also Matt. 21:18-22)

As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up.  21 Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God.  23 “Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him.

Just after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Mk. 11:9-11), He went to Bethany to retire (since it was late in the day). Then early in the morning of the next day on their way back to Jerusalem, Jesus was hungry and saw a fig tree. But He discovered that it had no figs on it, only leaves. So, He cursed the tree so that it would die. Well, it wasn’t until the next morning that it was discovered by Peter that the entire tree had withered and died.

(In Matthew’s gospel it suggests that it happened all at once, even the withering of the tree. But I think the text in Mark is more accurate, or clearer as to what happened. The cursing of the tree and its death happened immediately when Jesus cursed it, but I think it wasn’t noticed until the next morning by Peter).

Peter was the one that noticed the withering of the tree and knew that it was caused by Jesus curse on it. Jesus then took the opportunity to give Peter a lesson of faith. Hence, Jesus was keenly aware that Peter needed this faith lesson, and Peter was eager to receive it—just as he did when he tried to walk on water (and he did for a while).