The Pulpit Commentary — John — Volume 2 — Section 388

Ven;. 15-18, 25-27.-The three denials of Peter. .After all the disciples had fled, some, like John and Peter, returned to the scene of our Lord's last trials. 1'his fact must be remembered to Peter's credit. L THE HISTOll.ICAL CIROUllSTANCEB OF PETEB's FALL. 1. The first circumstance mu; hu; introduction into the CQUrt of the high priest by John. This brought him into dangerous association with Christ's enemies. 2. The second was his recognition by those who had seen him in the garden at the time of our Lord's arrest. 3. The third was his GaJ,ilzan accent. 4. The fourth was the injury he had done with the sword to MalchuR. 'fhere was thus a combination of fear and presumption in his presence among Christ's enemies. IL PETEB's FALL. The denial of Christ was: 1 . ..4. serious crime, regarded by itself and its repetition. and in the light of the warning that preceded it, and the oaths and the curses that followed it. It was a crime full of ingratitude, cowardice, and lies. 2. Mark the pecriUarity of thi8 crime. (1) Consider it in the light of Peter's calling. (a) He was an apostle, a chosen" fisher of men." (b) He was admitted to the closest intimacy with our blessed Lord, and honoured with his deepest confidence and affection. He might well say, "To whom shall we go but unto thee? Thou hast the words of et.ernal life." (2) Consider Peter's crime in the light of his circumstances, and his transgression is somewhat extenuated. (a) He had passed the previous night in watching. He was nervous and excited from the want of sleep, as well as from the prospect of losing the best of Masters. (b) He was de~erted by the other apostles, who were scattered everywhere. Peter's courage was of that character that rises when the danger is to be encountered with surrounding circumstances of sympathy. (c) The personal help of Jesus w&£, besides, now suddenly withdrawn. (d) His attack upon MalchUB weakened his courage. When a man does a wrong thing or takes up a wrong position, he is from that mo-ment a wea.ker man. (e) He did not yet comprehend the necessity of Christ's death. " Far be it from thee." He was not, therefore, himself •in a position to die. (3) Corn;ider Peter's crime in the light of his cha.racter, and it ill easily explained.. He was (a) confident and zealous, but (b) wanting in firmness and resolntion. His character was a curious mixture of courage and fear. III. l'ETEB BOOBED FROM THE BLIDDIEB OF ms OONSCIENOE. 1'he crowing of the cock, and our Lord's loc.k, awakened him to his true state. The look had a penetrative force in his soul 1. It was a look of lasting rememhrance. " Did I not tell thee that thou wouldst deny me?" 2. It was a look of inward sorrow. "Is this thy sympathy OH, xvm. 1-10.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN. 401