CHAPTER 14

1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.
2 But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

The "Feast of the Pssover" is explained in Exodus 12:1-27. It was a one-day feast which preceeded 7 days of eating unleavened bread. This feast commemorated God's salvation of Israel from the bondage of slavery in Egypt. It was a large feast, and most of the Jews attended the temple in Jerusalem at this time. Therefore, Jerusalem was full!

Jesus was very disturbing to the "chief priests and scribes." They considered Him dangerous.

Somehow, they (even though they claimed to study the Scriptures) never connected the fact that God Himself must come in a man to pay the price for our iniquities. Perhaps, because of hardened hearts, they didn't understand (or didn't want to understand) the fact that the one wronged must always pay the price of forgiveness.

These learned men did not believe Jesus' claim to be MESSIAH! Their zealousness for power kept them from seeing the real truth! And, thus, they conspired to be rid of Jesus.

Yet, they knew that the people believed Jesus, and their would be a tremendous tumult if they physically took Him. So they got together and tried to devise a plan through which to "put Him to death." As of yet, they had not come up with a plan. However, we shall see that Judas' betrayal of Jesus helped them.

3 And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.
4 And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?
5 For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.
6 And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.
7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
8 She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.
9 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

Verse 3, at first, seems to be a contradiction. According to the law (See Numbers 5:2), a leper would certainly not entertain guests at a dinner. The leper was ostracized from all public contact, and had to cry "UNCLEAN!" if anyone approached him/her.

There has been much conjecture about just who this "Simon the leper" was. Let us suffice it to say that he was a man who realized his healing came from God! Indeed, perhaps Simon was the leper in Matthew 8:1-4, who humbly approached Jesus for healing. Nevertheless, he was not a leper now, but had been one before.

Simon exhibited great respect and honor for Jesus by providing a meal for Him and all the disciples. Jesus showed respect for Simon by attending. May I say that if you prepare a place for Christ in your heart, He will certainly attend!

During the fellowship of the meal, a woman entered with "an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious." More than likely, this box had been preserved by her in preparation for her funeral. But she was gladly bestowing it upon Jesus, exhibiting her trust in Him as Messiah (to save her from death).

It seems that the disciples (probably instigated by Judas) were more concerned with the waste of money than with the seriousness of the situation!

Is it not true in our own era? Are we genuinely concerned with the gravity of the situation if Jesus were to return TODAY? Are we warning everyone we know?

Jesus said this woman had done a "good work!" She had conferred honor upon her Lord! The fact that the work was labeled as "good" meant that it was inspired by the presence of God's Holy Spirit in her (See Philippians 2:13).

Yes, we should be concerned for the poor! And our giving for their aid should not be lessened. But our HONOR for our Lord should be MORE pressing! This is certainly one of the works that are inspired by the presence of God in Christians.

Note that Jesus said, "..wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her."

This story should be an inspiration to us all! It should inspire us to TELL of Christ, and give HONOR to His Name at ALL times and to EVERYONE we know!

10 And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them.
11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

Judas, probably upset with Jesus because of His acceptance of the woman's actions, went to the "chief priests and scribes" and helped them to complete the plan for murdering Jesus! He would alert them as to an appropriate time to find Jesus when He was away from the multitudes. And they would pay him money for this betrayal.

Later, when the disciples were in the upper room with Jesus, Judas left to alert the chief priests and scribes. Judas KNEW that, at night, (after the supper) Jesus would be going to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray, and they could find Him there - away from the multitudes.

12 And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?
13 And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.
14 And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?
15 And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us.
16 And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

Now this would be Thursday of the week in which Jesus made the "Trimphant Entry" into Jerusalem. The reason I say that is that the 14th of Nissan happened on Friday. But the Jewish preparation for that day began at 6PM the evening before. The 14th of Nissan, being Passover, was also a SABBATH. In order not to break that Sabbath (holy day), Jewish people began preparation for it the evening before the date. (See Exodus 12:6).

For instance, Luke says, in Chapter 22:7, "Then came the days of unleavened bread, when Passover must be killed." That refers to the fact that the Jewish people observed the beginning of the "feast of unleavened bread" on the evening of the 14th of Nissan, when the Paschal Lamb was killed.

MONDAY - Jesus entered Jerusalem, cleansed the temple, complying with Exodus 12:3.
TUESDAY - entered Jerusalem again, that evening taught Matt. 24&25.
WEDNESDAY - stated that "after two days is the Passover..."
THURSDAY - disciples went to prepare Passover Supper.
THURSDAY EVENING - Jesus ate His "last supper" with the disciples...but NOT the Passover Supper!

Now, some are going to disagree with the timing presented here. That's ok. Every student of the Bible, believing in Christ and under the guidance of His Holy Spirit, is entitled to his/her own understanding.

Another point to consider is that Luke says Jesus told Peter & John to go and prepare the Passover supper (See Luke 22:7-12). Then they asked Jesus where the Passover supper should be PREPARED...NOT where it should be EATEN! Matthew says (Matthew 26:20) that Jesus came to that place where they had prepared and ate supper with them. It is NOT said this was the Passover supper. Jesus was always in PERFECT obedience to the Scriptures, else He would not have been an appropriately holy sacrifice for our sins. Therefore, He did NOT eat the Passover supper early, He did not eat it AT ALL! He simply ate His "last supper" with the disciples on Thursday evening - BEFORE the 14th of Nissan. In all of the 4 gospels it is never said that Jesus ate the Passover supper. The Scripture simply states that He ate SUPPER. ((Matthew 26:18-21, Mark 14:12-18, LUke 22:7-14, John 13:1-4)

The disciples "made ready" that supper, but Jesus never had the opportunity to eat the Paschal lamb that year: He WAS the Paschal Lamb that year!!

Jesus DID USE the elements of the supper to point out the meaningfulness of His sacrifice outlined in the Old Testament.

17 And in the evening he cometh with the twelve.
18 And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me.
19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
20 And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish.
21 The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

When Jesus revealed that one of the 12 would betray Him, the Scripture says, "THEY began to be sorrowful...." Was Judas sorrowful too? How could he not be? He KNEW he was the one of whom Christ spoke, for he had ALREADY prepared to betray Him (see vss 10-11 above).

Now, let us consider Jesus' statement, "woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been good for that man if he had not been born."

Does God not have foreknowledge of ALL things? Did He not create Judas? Is then, Judas responsible for his sin? YES! YES! and YES! Though God KNEW this would be Judas' act, and though God created him anyway, it was Judas himself who determined to betray Christ!

We cannot blame our sin on God for having created us! Every human being is responsible for his/her actions!

He would suffer "WOE!" -- Misery! It was not his birth by God that brought the misery; it was his own self-willed decision.

Do we not ALL feel the "misery" or "woe" of God's conviction if/when we betray Christ? And do we not ALL betray Christ in our self-willed actions at times?

I remember an instance in my own life. I was traveling, and was later than I wanted to be getting to what I thought at the time was an important convention meeting. I had stopped to eat and was hurring through the meal, when an inebriated man approached my table asking for a handout. Simply, and hurriedly, I answered, "I'm not interested." Then got up to go and pay for the meal. After paying for the meal, something caused my heart to feel "misery" - "woe!" I was exasperated at myself for not taking time to share with the man. I had to admit my own prejudice against drunken people to the Lord, and ask forgiveness. Then I immediately went to find the man. I gave him some money for a meal, and asked if I could share something with him. He was, like me, not interested. I probably will never know if the witnessing event helped to later lead him to knowledge of Christ as Lord and Savior. But I do know one thing: I felt "misery" when I didn't do what I SHOULD HAVE done! There's no doubt that God's Holy Spirit was working on my heart with CONVICTION simply because I had not taken TIME to witness to this man. And partly because the WORD of God convicted me! You see the Bible says, (See Proverbs 3:27-28, and Proverbs 19:17).

22 And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body.
23 And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it.
24 And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many.
25 Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
26 And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

Throughout the centuries since Christ's crucifiction, this has come to be known as "The Lord's Supper." It was His last meal with the disciples. And Jesus used it to protray what would be happening the next day. He would become "the Bread of life." He would become the "blood sacrifice" in which a NEW TESTAMENT (or COVENANT) would be formed by God with men.

The bread symbolized Christ's body which was ripped and torn by malicious beatings. If His body were not maliciously treated, He would not have fulfilled the Scriptures. (See for instance Psalm 22, Isaiah 53:5).

His "body" was offered from God to God on behalf of sinners. It was a substitionary atonement. He vicariously took the punishment we deserved in order that HE might be the One Who can forgive sin and offer us salvation.

The wine represented Jesus' blood. That blood is the PRICE for sin. The "blood" is life. And life is required of man for sin (See Genesis 9:4-5). The book of Hebrews says, "..almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." (Heb 9:22) And Hebrews also says, "...by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." (Heb 9:12)

Jesus' blood was innocent blood because He had no sin. Through His vicarious offering of Himself, God made Him "...to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Cor 5:21)

Payment was required for all sin. Jesus MADE that payment! When we come to God, surrendering to Christ as our Lord and Savior, God applies that blood to our lives!

This is God's NEW TESTAMENT (COVENANT) with mankind: that "Whosoever" comes to Christ in surrender, shall be "free from the law of sin and death" and shall be given in its place "the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus" (Rom 8:2)

Jesus said, "I will not drink henceforth..,until the day when I drink it new with you in my Father's Kingdom." He would no longer have opportunity to have fellowship supper with them on this earth. Before another meal time, He would be arrested, beaten and tried (at night), and carried to Calvary's cross. But there WILL BE another time!! A time of NEWNESS! When we meet with Christ in the NEW Heaven, the NEW Earth, and shall enjoy sweet personal fellowship with Him.

Then they sang a "hymn" and went out. This brings to my mind Psalm 114:1-8. In the NEW heaven, we shall be His "sanctuary" and we shall eternally submit to His "dominion." The reason is because the "Rock" of God (Jesus) has been turned into "living waters" and has given us LIFE! That life is in Him, of Him, and for His glory!

27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.
28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.
30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

Jesus quotes Zechariah 13:7, "smite the shepherd..." When He is arrested, the "sheep of the flock" (disciples) will be scattered. They will flee for their lives! They have heard Jesus telling of His crucifiction and death, but they have not yet come to terms with that fact. And when it happens, it shall be such a shock that even these closest of disciples will FLEE!!

Before we look at Jesus' short discussion with Peter, let us look closely at verse 32. Jesus plainly told them that He would RISE AGAIN from the grave! Also He told them He would "go before" them into Galilee. Later, this will be shown as Jesus, post-resurrection, meets them in a familiar place in Galilee.

Peter avows that he will NOT run away! But Jesus had a rude awakening for Peter. He said, "Before the cock crows in the morning, you will have denied me THREE times!!" (My paraphrase)

Peter again avows his devotion and dedication saying, "Even if it brings me DEATH, I will NOT deny Thee!" Later, we shall see how fear overcame this big blusterous fisherman and made him indeed deny knowing Christ!

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;
34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.
36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?
38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
39 And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.
40 And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.
41 And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42 Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

Has there ever been a more sorrowful scene? See our Lord having the most stressful moment of His brief life on this earth in human form! During this most awesome time, He desired to PRAY! This bitter "cup" of death was indeed creating torment in His human form. The body didn't want to die! But Christ's HEART was determined to do ALL the will of God!

Should we not follow the example of our Lord? OH! Too often, when faced with stress, we become involved in the moment, and grasp for straws. But what we NEED is PRAYER! What we NEED is to determine to do GOD'S will and not our own or that of someone else.

See the weakness of the disciples in prayer life! When Jesus needed them to pray most vehemently, they slept so carelessly!

Praise God that Jesus, our Lord and Savior, goes "a little FURTHER than His disciples!" For He "became obedient unto death!" (Philippians 2:8)

Even when He came to them the SECOND time, they were STILL sleeping! He admonished them to continue in prayer. OH! My friends, what implications this has! Shall we be sleeping when Christ comes next? You may not believe in a rapture, but I do! And I certainly don't want to be found sleeping when it occurs! Lord, help me be DILIGENT!

The third time Jesus came to them He said the time was "at hand;" the time for Christ to be delivered by the betrayer. And, immediately, as they looked Judas was there with the guards to take Jesus prisoner!

But Jesus did not RUN! NO! He said, "..let us be going." But it was not to LEAVE, it was to MEET those who came to take Him captive!!

Jesus did not relish death. But He DID relish doing the will of God. He had known from the beginning of time this was God's plan of redemption for mankind. He MUST suffer and die! He would NOT shirk the duty!

Neither should we! If being outspoken for Christ makes me suffer, then so let it be. If being outspoken for Christ brings me death, then so let it be. The suffering shall not be long. And death is only a door that closes the issues of this earthly life and opens the glory of His eternal kingdom! "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Heb 13:6)

43 And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44 And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
45 And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.
46 And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

The Bible says, "It was night." (See John 13:30). It was night when Judas left the supper, and it was still night when Judas came with the captors to take Jesus.

Notice that the "great multitude" was of the "chief priests and the scribes and the elders." They were temple guards, not Roman guards. (See also John 18:3)

Judas used the "brotherly love" kiss to single Jesus out. He KNEW that even though Jesus understood Judas was the one who would betray Him, Jesus would ALLOW this embrace! Yes, Jesus' love goes THAT far!

47 And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?
49 I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.
50 And they all forsook him, and fled.

John 18:10 identifies Peter as the "one of them that ...drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear."
He also identifies Malchus as the servant of the high priest. Peter, it seems, was going to be true to his word. He would FIGHT rather than take FLIGHT!

But Jesus healed the servant's ear (See Luke 22:51) and told Peter to put up the sword. While Judas would betray Christ with intimate knowledge of the inner circle, Peter would betray Him by fighting off unbelievers!

Oh! How often this happens today! We Christians tend to become involved in a "fight" against unbelievers about their actions and attitudes. Yet what Christ has called us to do is to WITNESS to them of HIM! Too often we become incensed at gamblers and declare the gambler headed for hell. It is not the SINNER Jesus despises, it is the SIN! Jesus LOVES the SINNER and died for him. Too often we become incensed with those who commit or perform abortions. Again, it is not the SINNER Jesus despises, it is the SIN! Too often we become incensed with homosexuals. Again, it is not the SINNER Jesus despises, it is the SIN! If we but tell them of Christ, of His love, of His truth, perhaps HE (by His Holy Spirit) will use our witness to convince and convict them. We cannot convince and convict them!! Neither can we call them names and declare them unfit for our witness!

Jesus explained to the "multitude" (that came out to take Him) that He was open and public about being with them (vs 49). He did not hide His actions. They had every opportunity to take Him during the DAY time! Why did they come out at NIGHT to take Him (vs 48)? Because they were sinners and loved the darkness more than the light!! ((See John 3:19)) Their desire was to RULE rather than BE ruled by the LORD!!

In verse 50, the word "all" could be stated "His disciples." ALL of them fled!

They believed Him as Messiah! They believed Him as LORD! They believed Him as God!
If He would GIVE Himself to be captured and treated in this way, what ELSE could they do?
They, like Judas, WANTED Jesus to take command of the world.
But these remembered their place! They were His servants!
And, perhaps, they remembered His teaching, "...The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:... And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again." (Matt 17:22-23)

Let it be known, against sin, we should stand and fight.
But also, against sinners, sometimes we should take flight.

51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:
52 And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

I don't believe anyone is really sure why this is recorded. Maybe it's part of God's Word that is not for us to fully comprehend (See Deuteronomy 29:29).

For certain, this was not one of the apostles. But, perhaps, the armed guards THOUGHT he was!

At any rate, he was a witness to the proceedings of Jesus being arrested and the disciples fleeing for their life.

53 And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
54 And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire

As Jesus was led away to the trial, Peter followed. But he followed at a far enough distance to not be detected.

When they arrived at the place where the trial was being held, Peter remained outside and "warmed himself at the fire." He was being present, but wanted to be unknown as with Jesus.

More about this later.

55 And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none.
56 For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.
57 And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying,
58 We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.
59 But neither so did their witness agree together.

At this point, the "chief priests and all the council" were trying to find anything against Jesus! They were frantically searching for anyone who would give "witness" against Jesus! And they would even PAY to have people say what they wanted. But the problem was, so many people were eager to earn the money, they had diarrhea of the mouth and could not agree in their statements!

60 And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee?
61 But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
62 And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
63 Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
64 Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

Finally, the exasperated high priest stood up and asked Jesus why He didn't answer. Jesus said nothing. Then, in a final attempt to indemnify Jesus, the high priest asked Jesus if He were "the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?"
Matthew tells us that the high priest actually asked Jesus to swear or affirm "by the Living God." (See Matthew 26:63).

In that case, Jesus no longer held silence. He stated matter-of-factly that indeed He IS the Son of God. He also offered another statement which REALLY angered the high priest. He said, "and ye SHALL SEE the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power...." In other words, Jesus was stating HE would be the JUDGE of what they were doing that night!! By saying that He is "the right hand" of God, He was also saying He is the POWER of of God for judgment of all mankind!

The reason the high priest called this "blasphemy" was because he KNEW what Jesus was saying.
The "Anointed One" (Messiah), spoken of in the Old Testament was certainly believed to be the "Son of God."
However, the Jewish leaders at that time did NOT believe that Messiah would be a MAN!
Therefore, the chief priest stated that Jesus had committed "blasphemy" because He was certainly a man, and called himself God!

Under Jewish law, a person guilty of blasphemy would receive the punishment of death! (See Leviticus 24:16).

65 And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Some of those nearby obviously heard what Jesus had said. They covered his face, and then spit on Him, or slapped Him. Then, they would say, "Since you are the Son of God, tell us who hit you...."

Jesus certainly could have told them!!
But He DIDN'T!
WHY?

Jesus knew that "the cup" He'd asked the Father to take away from Him, had NOT been removed.
He KNEW that He would have to DIE for men's sins!
THAT'S why He didn't speak! Why get bogged down in WHO committed WHAT sins, when He was about to die for ALL men's sins?!?!

To me, that gives relevance to our sins today!
Yes, Jesus knows YOUR sins! And He knows some of them have been more heinous than others.
But Jesus is not as much concerned with what you've BEEN as He is with what He can MAKE you to be!
He stands WILLING to forgive so that He can REMOLD!

66 And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:
67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.
68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.
69 And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.
70 And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71 But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72 And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

They had arrested Jesus, were maliciosly treating Him, and now were going to demand DEATH!
Peter was obviously afraid for his life!

He was in the yard by the fire when one of the maids of the high priest made the statement that he had been with Jesus.
He denied it, and moved to the porch.
He was on the porch when the cock crew the first time, and then another maid (or maybe the same one) again said he was with Jesus.
He denied it again.
Then, some others who stood around, said Peter's "speech" showed he had been with Jesus.
Let me just say, it was not the accent of a Galilean they were talking about. It was his MANNER of speaking: kindness, gentleness, clean.
Peter recognized what they were saying, and immediately began to utilize slang words and deny being with Jesus AGAIN!
THEN, the rooster crowed the SECOND time!!

Then, Peter "called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, 'Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice!'"

Peter, the strong-hearted, bullish fisherman was BROKEN!!
He suddenly realized how the values of life and living create conflict with the values of being a true servant of Jesus!

Peter did not WANT to be maligned, ill-spoken of, or slandered by malicious gossip. And of course, he didn't want to DIE!

How many have maintained silence, instead of openly professing Christ, when they faced being called "goody two shoes," "do gooder," or some other denegrating name? Well, it is sure that if any have done so, and really KNEW Christ, they felt the SAME THING PETER FELT! GUILTINESS! CONVICTION!!

It should cause us, as it did Peter, to BITTERLY WEEP.
And it should cause us to go to Him in prayer, begging His forgiveness!

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.