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).

Matthew 17:24-27

When they came to Capernaum, those who collected the two-drachma tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the two-drachma tax?” 25 He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?”  26 When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt.  27 “However, so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and throw in a hook, and take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me.”

This event having to do with paying a temple tax was not mentioned at all in the other three gospels. But I think, since Matthew had experience in collecting taxes, he was naturally drawn to this incident. He must have been particularly intrigued by how Jesus responded.

Here Jesus brings Peter into the spotlight, both in a teaching setting and also to see how He would miraculously provide the tax. Notice that Jesus, being God’s Son didn’t think that He should have to pay any tax; but, on the other hand He didn’t want to make a big deal out of it or get into an argument over it. So, nevertheless, He decided just to pay it.

But how He paid it was quite interesting. I personally think that He was in a playful mood and wanted to show Peter a display of His power, and that He was Lord over all of creation, even over every fish in the sea. He decided that the first fish Peter caught would be that fish that would provide the tax. 

Luke 9:28-36 (also Matt. 17:1-13; Mk. 9:2-13)

 Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him. 33 And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah” — not realizing what he was saying. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

It is interesting that just eight days after Jesus rebuked Peter and said to him, “Get behind me, Satan,” He called Peter (and James and John) to come up to this mountain to pray and to see a wonderful transformation. He held no grudges against the misinformed disciple.

Note that there are a few differences in the gospels of Matthew and Mark: 1) The other gospels say that this event occurred six days later instead of eight; 2) the other gospels did not mention prayer as the purpose of their journey; 3) the other gospels gave slightly different accounts of the transformation; 4) both Matthew and Mark failed to mention that the three men fell asleep (presumably while they were praying) and didn’t fully awaken until the transformation. (I wonder how much of it they missed.)

As for Peter’s responses to this great event; as I stated, he fell asleep and missed part of it. And his mentioning of building three tabernacles is, I suppose, partly a result of his sleepiness, because the text says that he did not realize what he was saying. I think God’s voice out of the cloud did more than anything to bring Peter and his mates to thinking more clearly, and, from then on, to listen more to Jesus.