Luke 22:59-62 59And after about an hour later, a certain other person insisted, saying, “Certainly this man also was with him, for he too is a Galilean.” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are saying.” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed. 61And turning, the Lord looked intently at Peter, and Peter remembered the saying of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62And going out he wept bitterly.
The third confrontation changed the situation for Peter. Someone noticed his accent or mannerisms. Galilee is not far from Jerusalem but culturally different. The history of differences goes back centuries before this, far into Old Testament history with the tensions between the northern tribes called Israel and the souther tribe Judah, where Jerusalem was located. Galilee also had significant influence from non-Jews who spoke Greek or other dialects. Peter, as a native of the Capernaum area, no doubt had such nuanced characteristics that could be noticed by people in Jerusalem. Peter must have been talking at some point during the next hour. He was likely trying to blend in and seem like one of the crowd. Those gathered around the fire that night knew that Jesus was from Galilee, and so this person put the evidence together and made his accusation.
Again, the reader wonders what was going on in Peter’s mind when he denied Jesus a third time. Luke’s account is succinct and lacks some of the details of the other Gospels. The focus is more on Peter’s basic issue of denying knowing Jesus. Had the shame been building this whole time? What kept him at the fire even though he felt shame about being a follower of Jesus? He tried to be strong, but without God’s presence that comes through prayer and seeking God’s will, he crumbled under the smallest pressure. The lesson is powerful and clear to those who claim to be Jesus’ followers but lack the inner presence and power of God’s Spirit.
The dawn was coming, and so a rooster crowed. The timing, however, was not due to the soon rising sun but to Jesus’ prophecy of Peter’s denial. At that moment, Jesus, who knew in his divine aspect what would happen and when, turned and looked right at Peter. Luke’s statement indicates that Peter was within eyesight of the activities around Jesus’ interrogation. What look did Jesus give Peter? Luke does not indicate. Was it one of judgment because of Peter’s weakness, or compassion knowing Peter cared but was humanly weak and needed the power of Pentecost?
Whatever the case, the look was powerful, and the effect on Peter was clear. First, he remembered. What had clouded his thinking and hindered his memory? He was typical of us all when under extreme pressure. He was focused on self-preservation and confused about all the events that were happening. He was operating out of his own limited human strength instead of leaning into God.
Second, he wept bitterly. His shame before people was replaced with shame before Jesus. He remembered the commitment he made to be even arrested and die with Jesus. He remembered the years of miracles and teaching. And perhaps he remembered his old life of fishing and how Jesus had changed his life. Many thoughts could have instantly gone through his mind, and whatever they were led to his emotional breakdown. Few times in a person’s life does one ever reach the depths of this form of shame. What kept Peter from going the later path of Judas and committing suicide was the prayers of Jesus mentioned in verse 32. Jesus prayed for all his followers in the garden, as recorded in John 17:20-23. We can be assured that there is forgiveness, restoration, and strength when we come to Jesus in our failure and shame.
For older posts, click here.