Study 53. Luke 22:54- 71

6. What happens to Peter in the courtyard after Jesus is taken inside for interrogation (see 22:56-62)?

Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus is recorded in all four Gospels. The Synoptics record them all together, but John interpolates an examination before Annas between the first and second.

All four Gospels agree that the first challenge came from a slave girl, John adding that she was the doorkeeper. She looked hard at Peter (gazing at him means ‘staring at him’; it indicates a close scrutiny).

But this is likely because of narrative priorities There must have been intervals (cf. 58–59) and things would have happened during those intervals. Another problem is that, after the first occasion, different people are said to challenge Peter. In Mark the second denial appears to be elicited by a question from the same slave girl, in Matthew from a different slave girl, in Luke from a man and in John from a number of people. A question once posed is likely to have been taken up by others round the fire. Different people telling  about it would stress different participants in the drama.(after Morris)

 

 Only Luke mentions Jesus turning to look at Peter. It was this look that reminded Peter of what Jesus had said. The look broke Peter. 

We asked what the look of Jesus was like. We said He was not angry or accusing. It was a look of understanding and compassion, acceptance and strength. And we asked how we ourselves respond to people who have hurt and betrayed us. We are so unlike Jesus

7. How does Peter fall short of Jesus' teaching in 12:4-12?

He had forgotten who to fear

He had forgotten God's value of and personal care for him

He had forgotten Jesus' warning of being denied before the Father and the angels

He had forgotten Jesus' promise of help in times of crisis.

8. Consider Peter's reaction when he realises he has allowed temptation to defeat him so quickly and completely (22:61-62) What has he learned about himself (22:33-34)?

 He wept bitterly. Weeping is not always indicative of repentance (cf. 1 Co 7:10). He had learned that his bold assertion about readiness to suffer and die was a lie.

 He would later write, "Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him firm in your faith" (I Pet 5:8-9)

 

9.Jesus knew that the council did not understand the titles 'Messiah' (22:67) and 'Son of God' (22:70). the way He did. Still, how did He respond to the council's questions (22:67-70)?

 

"But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe, ⁶⁸ and if I ask you, you will not answer"  ⁶⁹ But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” ⁷⁰ So they all said, “Are you the Son of God, then?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” ⁷¹ Then they said, “What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips.”

 

“If I tell you, you will not believe" He made it clear that, despite their questioning, they did not really want to know the truth - they only wanted a reason to condemn him. 

"If I ask you, you will not answer" probably means they would not themselves would not engage in sincere examination of their own wrong presumptions. They would not be accountable for these.

 

 

 

10. How did the couoncil interpret Jesus' response (Mk 14:63-64, Lk 22:71)?

 

They regarded it as self-proclaimed blasphemy - reason enough to condemn him to death.

All four Gospels devote more space to Jesus’ trial than they do to his crucifixion and the way they do it answers questions which bring out the meaning of the cross. ‘Why was Jesus condemned to death by the Sanhedrin? Because He claimed to be the Son of God. Why was He condemned to death by Pilate? Because He claimed to be the King of the Jews.’ (Morris)