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NASB | Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you that this very night, before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, "I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this night, before a rooster crows, you will [completely] deny Me three times." |
Bible Question:
Matthew 26:33 "But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away." I'm sure that most of us on the forum know this passage and the one's in Mark and Luke. I have a few questions. 1. Did Peter deny Christ 3 times because Jesus knew that he would? 2. Did Peter deny Jesus because Jesus said that he would? 3. If Peter hadn't opened him mouth and say "I will never fall away", would Jesus have said that he would? 4. Did Peter deny Jesus becuase he chose to or because of question # 2. I'm sure no one can argue that this blatant denial of Jesus didn't stop Peter from going to heaven. After Jesus rose from the grave, he asked Peter 3 times if he loved him, maybe because Peter denied him 3 times? I think it shows the great Love of Jesus and how he is so willing to comfort and forgive us. Psalm 37:23-24 "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand." Any thoughts? Love in Christ, Barry |
Bible Answer: Greetings, Barry; I think Peter denied Jesus because he was Peter - flawed, bold, impetuous, the one who wanted to camp out on the Mount of Transfiguration, the one walked briefly on water. I'm sure he meant it when he told Jesus he would never fall away but when push came to shove, his boldness failed him. I think he tended to rely on his own strength until Pentecost. I think (but can't prove) that when he discovered the power of the Holy Spirit that day, he realized that his own was insufficient. I think Jesus predicted it because he wanted Peter to know that he knew. If Jesus had not told Peter ahead of time, then when he did deny Jesus, Peter would have thought that his failure was private. Jesus' prediction enabled Peter to feel the full weight of his sin, to experience all the remorse, and to finally see that he could not rely on his own strength to do God's work. I agree that there is a parallel (3 denials, 3 opportunities to express his love for Jesus). It is interesting that what is translated as "love" all three times is actually different the third time: The first two times, the Greek word is "agape", the third it's "phileo". I've read and heard various explanations for this difference; I'm not really sure what it means. ;-) I think all this was to prepare Peter for his ministry and martyrdom. Just my two one-hundredths of a dollar. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |