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Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
69
But Peter sat without in the court: and there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean.
11
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"An unusual and unforeseen occurrence! Upon witnessing the Master’s arrest, Peter was consumed with rage, drawing a sword and severing the ear of the high priest's servant; however, when indignation was warranted in response to the insults hurled at his Lord, he chose to deny Him instead! Who among us would not have felt a surge of anger in that moment? Yet, the disciple, paralyzed by fear, showed no outrage and instead renounced his allegiance even in the face of a meek servant girl’s inquiry. This renouncement happened not once but thrice; it transpired quickly, not in front of judges, but while he stood in the courtyard and was approached by the maid as he exited the gate. He did not immediately grasp the gravity of his action. Luke narrates that Jesus turned His gaze upon him, Lk. 22:61, indicating that Peter not only denied his relationship with Christ but, in that moment as the rooster crowed, he failed to remember his promise until the Master’s look prompted his recollection – a glance that spoke louder than words could. Overcome with fear, Peter faltered! Mark notes that the rooster crowed following Peter's first denial and crowed again after his third, Mark 14:68-72, thereby illustrating the disciple’s frailty and the terror that seized him; it’s worth noting that Mark recorded this due to his close association with Peter. It is thus remarkable that he did not shy away from recounting his teacher's failing but rather elucidated it more vividly than others because he was indeed a pupil. How can Matthew's account harmonize with this when he states that Jesus declared, \\"Truly I say to you, this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times,\\" Matthew 26:34, while Mark references the rooster crowing a second time after the three denials, Mark 14:72? There is coherence here, with no contradiction to be found. Roosters typically crow multiple times, and Mark acknowledges this to illustrate that even the sound of the rooster did not prevent Peter’s fall nor awaken him to his vow. Thus, both assertions stand true: before the rooster completed its first crowing, Peter denied Him three times. And when Christ made him aware of his transgression, he could not openly weep out of fear of being judged, so he went outside and wept bitterly."},{"author-name":"Ambrose of Milan","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88871ceef8c96e0998cd0_Ambrose%20of%20Milan.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Peter's deceitful denial must be acknowledged, as the Lord cautioned, \\"Thou shalt deny Me thrice\\" (Matt. 26:34). It is far easier for me to accept Peter's rejection than to claim that the Lord was mistaken. But what exactly did he disown? Fueled by his quick vow, Peter relied on his faithfulness, yet he overlooked his human frailties. He faced the cost of his promise to lay down his life (see Jn. 13:37). This issue transcended mere human frailty and touched on divine sovereignty. If he suffered so severely for his ill-considered pledge, what would be the consequence of disbelief? \\n\\nWhere did Peter deny Christ? Not on the mountain, nor in the temple, nor in his own home, but in the praetorium of the Jews, in the courtyard of the high priest. He denied Truth in a place of deceit, at a moment when Christ was apprehended and bound. How could he withstand temptation when the Jewish gatekeeper welcomed him and interrogated him? It was unfortunate that Eve led Adam into sin, just as it was unfortunate that a woman guided Peter in. Adam fell in paradise, a place where guilt was irrevocable, and Peter stumbled in the Jewish praetorium, where purity was elusive. The former was instructed not to partake, while the latter was foretold to deny. The disobedience of the former burdened the latter, yet the apostasy of the latter paved the way for the redemption of the former.\\n\\nMoreover, let us reflect on the environment in which Peter disowned Christ. It was cold (John 18:18). Given the season, the chill might seem unexpected, yet it was cold in the absence of recognition of Christ, where no one perceived the light, and all rejected the consuming Fire (Deut. 4:24; Heb. 12:29). It was not the physical body that was cold, but the spirit. Peter stood near the smoky fire because his heart had grown cold. The flame of the Jews is harmful; it burns yet fails to warm, it is a dangerous fire that blankets even the faithful with the soot of error. Beside him, Peter's spiritual vision was obscured—not his physical sight, but the eyes of his soul through which he beheld Christ.\\n\\nSome might contend, “Are not the elements to be blamed along with the Jews?” The elements carry no blame and do not belong to the Jews. I hold the flame of unbelief responsible, which is distinctly different. I critique the Jewish flame in accordance with the prophetic declaration, \\"Your silver is rejected\\" (Jer. 6:30). If the silver of the Jews is deemed worthless, then the fire that refines that silver is also rejected. Furthermore, the Jews cast gold into the fire to mold the head of the calf (see Ex. 32:3-6, 24), serving as the genesis of all wickedness.\\n\\nNext, let us examine the nature of Peter's denial. It is expressed in varied ways. The enormity of Peter’s sin was so astonishing that even the evangelists found it difficult to convey precisely what had transpired. According to Matthew, when the maid recognized Peter as one of those who had accompanied Jesus of Galilee, Peter countered, \\"I do not know what you are talking about\\" (Matt. 26:70). Mark, being a disciple of Peter who learned directly from him, conveys the same message. Yet, Peter's initial denial sounds more like an attempt to sidestep the young woman's charge.\\n\\nNotice what Peter denies in this moment. He denies being associated with those who were with Jesus of Galilee (Matt. 26:69), or as Mark phrases it, with Jesus the Nazarene (Mark 14:67). Did he truly repudiate belonging to the Son of God? It seems he implied, \\"I do not know Him as a Galilean; I do not know Him as a Nazarene, but I know Him as the Son of God.\\" Geographic names can define people, but the Son of God, whose majesty is not limited to any single place, cannot be bound by human designation. To illustrate further, when the Lord questioned His disciples, \\"For whom do people honor Me, the Son of Man?\\" (Matt. 16:13), some offered names like Elijah or Jeremiah, yet Peter boldly declared, \\"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God\\" (Matt. 16:16). Is there denial in professing that Christ is not merely the Son of Man, but the Son of God? Can we doubt what Christ Himself has affirmed? Let's proceed."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Observe how the individual who had previously shown such confidence was now intimidated by a lowly servant girl, once he found himself abandoned by the grace of God."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"Overwhelmed by profound fear, Peter lost sight of his commitments and surrendered to his frailty, appearing as though he were lifeless from terror and unaware of his own words. However, you will grasp from my perspective that Peter is accused by a servant, representing human frailty, which is lowly and characteristic of those in servitude; this accusation remained until the rooster's crowing awakened him to reality."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Outside the judgment hall: in the open area or within the judicial setting."},{"author-name":"Philaret (Gumilevski)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c896f4b6fd32caa244b5d7_Philaret%20(Gumilevski).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The servant girl at the gate, the one who permitted Peter to enter the courtyard, intrigued by a woman's natural curiosity, comes to Peter and inquires, \\"Aren't you one of the followers of the one who was taken captive? Were you not with Jesus of Nazareth?\\""},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"During the moment our Lord stood restrained before Annas and Caiaphas, a profoundly sorrowful event unfolded in the presence of these high priests: His beloved disciple, who had fervently declared his unwavering loyalty and was thought to be least vulnerable to faltering, collapsed more lamentably than all the others. Peter denied his Master and Savior three times. As we have noted, he had entered the courtyard due to the advocacy of his friend John and had already spoken words of denial when questioned by the gatekeeper. Chilled and seeking to go unnoticed, he blended in with the group of servants and settled by the fire. PETER WAS SITTING OUTSIDE THE COURT. A SERVANT GIRL APPROACHED HIM AND SAID, \\"AND YOU WERE WITH JESUS THE GALILEAN.\\" Perhaps the gatekeeper was concerned about the implications of allowing a man into the courtyard who should not have been there. The faithful disciple, who had recently vowed to give his life for his Master and even attempted to defend Him with a sword, had now forsaken his commitments."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"During the trial of Jesus, Peter, having likely accompanied John from Annas’ residence to that of Caiaphas, found himself in the courtyard, attempting to blend in as an observer drawn by the commotion. The servants of Caiaphas frequently moved in and out of the courtyard, sharing updates about the proceedings with those present. Peter, filled with anxiety, realized that his presence was not solely driven by curiosity. Observing his tension, a servant girl approached him and inquired, “You must also be one of Jesus the Galilean’s followers, given your keen interest in the discussions surrounding Him?” Before Peter could respond, a servant of the high priest, a relative of Malchus—whose ear Peter had severed—looked at him and questioned, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”"},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Amidst the throng, a young servant girl, spotting the unfamiliar figure, inquired, “Were you not also with Jesus from Galilee?” This inquiry caught Peter off guard, and in his instinct for self-preservation, he had no opportunity to reflect on his circumstances. Instead, he grimly and hesitantly responded, “I do not understand what you are talking about.”"},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The servant girl, taken aback by Peter's request to enter the area where Jesus Christ was taken, opened the gate and inquired, \\"Are you also one of this man’s followers?\\" Peter replied, \\"I am not.\\" Self-assured, steadfast, and determined as always, this chosen apostle was completely unaware that his brief denial marked the onset of the profound descent he had been cautioned about only moments earlier."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"In this passage, Peter refutes his association with Jesus, as depicted by John, who witnesses these events firsthand. First, he denies knowing Jesus when questioned by the gatekeeper (John 18:16), then he again denies it when confronted by a servant girl (Luke 22:58; Matthew 26:71; Mark 14:69), and finally he denies knowing Jesus in response to a relative of Malchus (John 18:26). This happens right before the rooster crows for the second time (Mark 14:30, 42). At this moment, Jesus gazes at Peter, prompting him to weep sorrowfully. It raises the question of how Peter could give in to temptation so quickly. Perhaps if he had been in immediate peril, he would have shown greater bravery. However, it is likely that such a situation would have led to him being apprehended. The Lord permitted Peter's failure so that he could be restored for future service."}]}
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