Denials

N.T.#650 "Denials"

Oct. 13, 2025 

Luke 22-Part 7

LET IT GLOW

And so it began, one of the darkest nights of all time for Jesus. It began with an identifying betrayal kiss from one of His own-Judas. Had the charges against the Lord been legitimate, His enemies would have had no problem seizing Him in public on any given day as Jesus taught in the Temple. The power of darkness referred to the secrecy of the nighttime arrest and their service to the forces of evil. (Swindoll)

Jesus went through 6 trials after His arrest:

1. He first appeared before Annas, a former high priest. He was the Godfather-like power behind the office of high priest. (AD 6-15) No charges were made; it was illegal to hold a trial at night. Guilty of irreverence by Jesus was His wrong. Really?
2. Caiaphas was the son-in-law of Annas, who held the office at the time, accused Jesus of blasphemy, yet no formal charge was made. (John focuses on the detail of the events of the trials, while Luke focuses on the courtyard where Peter warms himself by a fire.)
3. The Sanhedrin was a Jewish court who charged Jesus guilty of the same things. So they sent Jesus on to the Roman officials because the Jews could not execute anyone.
4. Pilate, governor of Judea, found Jesus not guilty, and sent Him to Herod Antipas to find a loophole.
5. Herod Antipas, governor of Galilee, questioned Jesus at length. He had no jurisdiction, no specific charges against Jesus. Jesus was mistreated, mocked, falsely accused, and returned to Pilate without a decision made. 
6. Pilate declared Jesus not guilty yet condemned and sentenced to be crucified to mollify the angry mob. (A man guilty of murder and treason was released.)the Jewish leaders wanted to get on with the execution before the Sabbath and they could celebrate the Passover.

[Resource: Swindoll's Living Insights on Luke]

LET IT GROW

Peter followed afar off. (verse 54b)

Luke focuses on Peter's three-time denial of knowing Jesus. Let's take a closer look:

• There was a fire kindled in the courtyard of Annas' home, a palace with an enclosed courtyard.
• First a servant girl, maid, looked at Peter as he sat by the fire, and recognized him as being a part of Jesus' followers/group/disciples/ "This man was also with him." (verse 56)
• Woman, I know him not. (verse 57) That was Peter's firs denial.
• A little while later, a man recognized Peter as one of the 12, accused him of being with them. (verse 58)
• Man, I am not. (verse 58b) This was Peter's second denial.
• Then another man insisted the same thing about an hour later. "Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean."
• Man, I know not what thou sayest, was Peter's third denial of following Jesus. (verse 60)
• Peter had sinned, even cursed and swore in his denial. (Mark 14:71)
• And immediately, while Peter spoke, a cock crowed.
• Previously, Peter had vowed to remain true to his King to the bitter end, but he was mistaken. He was ready to go to prison or die with Jesus. (verse 13)
• A rooster crowed as Jesus had predicted and Jesus looked at Peter, making eye contact. This was a lingering stare-silent eloquent, penetrating Peter like a dagger in the heart. Then Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him earlier. (verse 61)

LET IT GROW

What did Peter do after all of that happened? 

And Peter went out and wept bitterly. (verse 62)

It was a mournful cry of those grieving, bitterly with intense anguish. Peter's remorse knew no bounds. Not only had Peter denied his Lord and Messiah, but he turned away from a very dear friend who loved and taught Peter for 3 years.  Peter broke his promise to remain true to his end. Those few hours changed Peter from a halfhearted follower to a repentant disciple. He became the kind of person Christ could use to build His church. 

[Resource: Life Application Study Bible]

LET IT GO

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (I John 1:9)

Do we repent of our sins when we commit them?

Do we recall that Christ can use those who recognize their failures?

Peter is our example.