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Explanation for:
Matthew
26
:
75
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus which he had said: Before the cock crow, thou wilt deny me thrice. And going forth, he wept bitterly.
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":"How can the statements made by Matthew be accurate when he records Jesus saying, \\"Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice\\" (Matt. 26:34), while Mark, after recounting the threefold denial, notes that \\"the cock crowed the second time\\" (Mark 14:72)? This seeming contradiction can be resolved. It is typical for a rooster to crow multiple times during a single occasion, and Mark mentions this to illustrate that the crowing did not prevent Peter from his fall nor remind him of his commitment. Thus, both accounts hold truth. Before the rooster completed its first crow, Peter denied Jesus three times. When Christ reminded him of his transgression, Peter was too afraid to openly weep for fear of being judged, and instead “went out and wept bitterly.”"},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In a different Gospel, it is recorded that following Peter's denial and the crowing of the rooster, the Lord fixed His gaze upon Peter, leading him to weep sorrowfully. It’s inconceivable that someone who had seen the light of the world could dwell in the shadows of denial. He left and wept sorrowfully. As he sat at the threshold of the house of Caiaphas, he found himself unable to repent; he departed from the council of the unrighteous in order to cleanse the filth of his fearful denial with tears of anguish."},{"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 astonishing and unforeseen event occurred! When Peter witnessed his Lord being arrested, he became so consumed with anger that he drew a sword and severed the ear of the high priest's servant. Yet, at a moment when he should have been filled with righteous fury upon hearing the scorn directed at his Master, he instead denied knowing Him. Who would not have felt outrage in such a circumstance? However, the disciple, paralyzed by fear, not only refrained from exhibiting any righteous anger but also disowned his connection to Christ when confronted by a humble servant girl. This denial happened not once, but a second and third time, occurring quickly and not in front of the judges, as he was simply in the courtyard when the girl questioned him as he exited through the gate. He did not immediately realize his own failure. As the Gospel of Luke reveals, Jesus looked at him (Lk. 22:61), indicating that Peter's betrayal was not only his denial but also a moment when he could not recollect his promise on his own—instead, it was necessary for the Teacher to remind him through His gaze rather than words. Fear overcame him! The Gospel of Mark narrates that the rooster crowed after Peter's first denial and crowed again following his third denial (Mark 14:68-72), capturing more acutely the frailty of the disciple and his astonishment from fear; Mark learned this account from Peter himself as he was his companion. Therefore, it is remarkable that he not only did not hide the shortcomings of his teacher but indeed highlighted them more explicitly than the others because of his close discipleship. However, one might question the fairness of Matthew’s account when he records that Jesus said, “Truly I say to you that this night, before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times” (Matthew 26:34), while Mark indicates that the rooster crows a second time after the third denial (Mark 14:72). Yet, there is harmony in these narratives. It is customary for roosters to crow multiple times throughout the night; hence, Mark's reference emphasizes that not even the crowing of the rooster could prevent Peter's failure or jog his memory of the promise he made. Both accounts are accurate. Before the rooster completed its first crow, Peter had denied Christ three times. When Jesus reminded him of his sin, Peter was too ashamed to weep openly for fear of being judged for his tears and chose instead to go outside and weep bitterly."},{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"He denied again, swearing that he did not recognize this man. I have encountered individuals who, out of their reverence for the apostle Peter, interpret this passage to suggest that Peter did not deny God but rather a mere man; essentially, they claim he implied, \\"I do not know this man, for I know God.\\" However, a discerning reader can see how superficial this interpretation is, as those who defend Peter in this manner inadvertently suggest that the Lord was not truthful. If Peter did not renounce Him, then the Lord misled when He declared, \\"Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny Me thrice.\\" Notice that the Lord states, \\"Thou shalt deny Me,\\" not man. Surely, you are one of them, for your speech gives you away. Peter did not speak another language nor belong to a different nation; they were all Jews—both the one asking and the one being questioned. However, each region had its unique dialects, and the speaker's particular speech revealed him. For instance, the Ephraimites in the Book of Judges struggled to pronounce the word 'shibboleth.' At that moment, he began to swear vehemently that he did not know this man. Suddenly, a rooster crowed. In another Gospel, we find that after Peter's denial and the rooster's crow, the Savior looked upon him, prompting Peter to weep bitterly. It could not be that Peter, upon whom the Light of the world gazed, would remain in the shadows of denial."},{"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":"He departed, fearing that they might also apprehend him as one who was sorrowful, and he wept, not in a trivial manner, but with deep anguish. Mark noted that he began to weep, while John did not include this detail as recounted by others. You have witnessed transgression; now behold contrition. The accounts of both the sins and repentance of the saints are preserved for our sake, so that we, having erred, may emulate their contrition. Peter's fall was allowed not only for the reasons previously mentioned, but also so that he might learn to extend forgiveness to those who sin, understanding their frailty from his own experience. Since he was destined to become a shepherd, it was important that when he performed great miracles, he remained humble and, recalling his failure, attributed all glory to God. Similarly, the Apostle Paul, through God’s allowance, encountered temptations to prevent him from becoming proud, as he mentioned. This was primarily to provide a noble example of repentance for those who have sinned. If the foremost of the disciples, who both witnessed and performed remarkable miracles, fell due to his denial, but upon recognizing his transgression and repenting, was not only forgiven swiftly but also became a shepherd to the other disciples and performed numerous great works, then no sinner should lose hope, but rather repent immediately, considering the boundless grace of the Lord. Additionally, it is important to note that, according to Matthew and Mark, there was first an inquiry by the high priest, followed by the Jews reprimanding Jesus Christ, after which Peter denied Him. Conversely, as per Luke, Peter's denials occurred first, followed by the reprimand, and then, when day broke, an inquiry took place. Each writer not only conveyed what transpired but also noted the sequence of events, while Luke, focused solely on the events themselves, did not emphasize their order."},{"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":"The rooster represents the message of Christ, urging us to remain vigilant and alert rather than succumb to slumber. It calls us to awaken and rise from our lethargy. Mirroring this call, the revitalized Peter, after leaving the archbishop's courtyard—a symbol of spiritual blindness—cried out, emerging from his state of insensibility. During his time in this place of darkness, he was silent, unable to perceive his surroundings. However, once he stepped out, he regained awareness and feeling."},{"author-name":"Gennadios Scholarios","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bc4c6c72906898c01f7_Gennadios%20Scholarios.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":15,"exegesis-text":"On the sorrowful emotions that overtook the Apostle Peter after his denial of Christ. The following text by Saint Gennadius is not a sermon but rather a meditation and expression of the deep anguish that gripped the Apostle Peter after he denied Christ three times on the night the Saviour surrendered to death for humanity’s salvation. Despite his remorse and regret, the Apostle Peter holds onto hope for the Lord’s forgiveness. This work, identified by the publishers as “uvres complétes,” serves as a “prosopopoeia,” or personification, brought to life in a notable monologue attributed to the Apostle Peter. This literary technique, derived from Greek classical theater and poetry, is frequently employed by St. John Chrysostom, Venerable Romanos the Sweetbearer, St. Sophronius of Jerusalem, St. Gregory Palamas, and other liturgical poets, including the current work by St. Gennadius. The text includes a letter from the Athonite monk Lawrence addressed to Patriarch Gennadius and his subsequent reply. It would be superfluous to summarize these letters, as the reader can easily access these brief documents. The themes expressed in St. Gennadius's reflection echo the kondak composed by Venerable Romanos the Sweetbearer regarding the Apostle Peter’s denial.\\n\\nLetter from Monk Lawrence to Patriarch Gennadius. \\n\\nTo the Most Holy and Divine Patriarch, I beseech you, O God-inspired father, that your esteemed sanctuary may thrive, remain in health of body and mind, and be filled with joy. Though I am distant, I carry your precious shrine in my heart, treating every thought of you as a celebration; no day passes without the sweetness of your remembrance being a holiday for me. I implore you to pray for me, a wretched soul in need of mercy. In reading the holy Gospel, I noted that after Peter denied Christ, he \\"went out and wept bitterly.\\" I pondered what words he may have uttered in lamentation, wishing to find in them the means to mourn for my own soul, as I too repeat this denial through my sinful actions. Therefore, I appeal to you, esteemed father, imploring your wisdom to write to me about Peter's tearful expressions, his sorrowful thoughts, and the inspiration for his profound remorse, so that I may be moved to sorrow for my own transgressions and win your prayers and gratitude.\\n\\nResponse from Patriarch Gennadius to Monk Lawrence. \\n\\nMost Honorable Gennadius Scholarius to my revered brother and father in Christ, Lawrence of the Dionysius Monastery on Holy Athos, rejoice in the Lord. Beloved brother, upon receiving your letter requesting an outline of the lamentations of blessed Peter, chief of the Apostles, I hesitated to honor your wish. One reason for my reticence is that to depict his sorrow authentically, one must be relatively close to Peter's state of soul; however, our distance from his experience makes such expressions difficult, and we often fail to grieve over our sins, leading careless lives and lacking the benefit of tears. Nonetheless, moved by another consideration, I now commit to fulfilling your request, although we initially considered evading this subject. Hence, I present this writing alongside your request, hypothesizing what words the blessed Apostle Peter might have internally spoken in anguish following his third denial. Yet, I ask that in return you offer us passionate and unwavering prayers of love to our Lord Jesus Christ, that He may grant us true repentance, brokenness, and sorrow, and absolve us from our many sins through His immense mercy. \\n\\nProsopopoeia. \\n\\nWhat, perhaps, did Blessed Peter say to himself in his lamentation following his denial? \\n1. O wretched me! What a dreadful fall! Woe to me for this sudden and terrible betrayal! How justly the Lord has forsaken me! Just a short time ago, while fishing, I sought temporal gains with some regard for God, the giver of all good; now I have stripped myself of my eternal garment and lost true life, effectively ruining my own redemption. The Lord taught me daily the importance of relying on this temporal existence for the salvation of my soul, yet I squandered that opportunity. What has become of me? I have denied my Master, the Saviour of the world, who willingly dies to revive all, including me; yet in fear of death, I forsook the One who cares for me. My Master named me Peter and proclaimed He would build His Church upon me, but alas, like chaff, I was swept away by the stormy wind. Woe to me for waiting until the rooster became a witness to my misfortunes, sealing my downfall. Now, belatedly, I recall the Lord's prophetic words; regrettably, I learned this lesson through painful experience. I ought to have guarded my mouth and refrained from boasting, insisting I would remain steadfast in the face of trials, but that very boast has led me to ruin. I should have prayed, asking for my brethren’s steadfastness in faith as they faced trials. Instead, I trusted solely in my own abilities, forgetting the strength derived from faith in God—a weak and changeable human soul becomes vulnerable to fallacies. I should have sought the source of my conviction, yet I did not, despite the Master's warning that I would deny Him three times, with a rooster’s crow marking my folly. I should have humbled myself upon hearing such foretelling but instead remained focused on others’ trials, neglecting my own weaknesses. Had I truly considered the warning, I would not have denied Him. \\n\\n2. Perhaps this should not be termed a renunciation, but a mere avoidance of danger? No, it is indeed renunciation; for when questioned, I declared to the Master, \\"You are the Christ, the Son of God,\\" yet to His persecutors I uttered, \\"I do not know this man.\\" I not only denied my acquaintance with Him but diminished Him to a mere man. Despite my inner beliefs, my tongue has betrayed me; His recognition demands accountability for both acknowledgement and denial. How can I deny that this is a betrayal when He has foreseen and declared it so? If my denial were not true, it would imply that He was mistaken when He foretold it. Therefore, through my actions, I inadvertently validated His words. His prophecy was not intended as a directive for my actions, yet I fulfilled it out of frenzy and madness, with the rooster’s crow reminding me of my downfall.\\n\\n3. Alas, what a calamity! How many tears will suffice? How many breast-beatings or head-bowings will remedy this? Even so, I cannot enact such expressions now, being surrounded by enemies, my love for the Lord preventing me from retreating into solitude. I yearn to witness the unfolding of Redemption's mystery; afterward, I may lament for my misfortune. My denial arose not from disbelief but from a love for worldly life. Nevertheless, if I hold strong in faith, I shall soon rejoice; He will rise again as promised, bringing us joy in place of sorrow. However, I fear I may miss out on shared joy with my faithful brethren, who wait expectantly for the culmination of these glorious events. They wait in silence, acknowledging their fragility, while I, who am still numbered among His followers, have distanced myself from Him with my words. O unfortunate Simon—no longer worthy of the name ‘Peter’—for cowardice has shattered your resolve. Would that you remained firm, for when you once followed the Master, you left everything behind. Alas, that in a moment of fear, you have lost the strength once bestowed upon you. How can you claim to love Christ when you recoil from sacrifice? Our Lord defines the greatest love as laying down one's life for a friend. Should the adversaries of Truth rejoice in my denial, Truth itself shall not recognize me as a friend who has forfeited love. You were not compelled to endure such sorrow; you did not view it as your duty to love Him well enough to suffer for Him. Instead of glorifying Him, you diminished His honor and had it within your power to amplify it if only you had desired to.\\n\\n4. Yet, why do you continue to lament, analyzing the situation so wisely? Why do the tears flow while contemplating your thoughts? You will perish continually if you remain overwhelmed by evil; such agony will eternally torment you with no healing to mend your wound. Whatever occurs, put grief aside for now and seek a remedy for your transgressions through the boundless mercy of the Lord, not just lamenting your losses but seeking a way out of these troubles. Let this inquiry guide your healing; consult the brethren in hope, confessing your failings, while awaiting the fulfillment of the promises. If I have lost my title, I must not abandon my faith in Christ but instead isolate myself in the depths of the earth. Yes, I must invoke the common Saviour for guidance, seeking His counsel on my next steps and allowing my tears to rest momentarily. \\n\\n5. O Christ the King! O Fount of mercy! O Crucified One, who willingly assumed the body but remains ever-present as God, hear me—having denied you thrice, I now recognize the justice of my penalty. Works are judged by their outcomes; even the sinful harlot received forgiveness for her deep remorse when Your divine love bore fruit. Yet, those who turn away after devotion are considered to have never truly cherished You. Thus, I confess I have abandoned Your glory and fled from the love dwelling within me. Accept me among the repentant, for You call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. However, my fall is monumental, overshadowing any hope, encompassing not only Your mercy but also the demand for justice. Many, having merely heard Your teachings, have believed and would gladly die for You. I have been inseparable from You since Your call, participating not just in common doctrines, but in those uniquely revealed to Your chosen disciples. Who can number the blessings with which You have graced us? Yet I chose to deny You—how can I hope for repentance? Woe is me! My heart longs, and my tears flow abundantly. I fear my overwhelming shame may render me speechless. \\n\\n6. What I have done deserves ceaseless tears, O Lord, O Christ! Even if I might receive forgiveness through Your unyielding humanity, the remembrance of my denial shall torment my soul. Above all, I implore Your mercy: extend my life, so that amid this dreadful fall, I might not perish. If answered, I shall hold hope; for I recall how You once deemed me blessed, proclaiming that the truth came from the Father in heaven. If the Father’s work results in the grace I experienced, why am I now shrouded in cowardice? I remember Your promise, to build the Church upon me; shall all this be forfeited due to my recent denial? How, then, can these proclamations regarding me find fulfillment? I who have substituted the foundation of such blessings for an abominable denial of You? My heart is heavy as I reflect upon my transgressions in the light of Your benefits. Now that my tears have softened, I press forward. If I am beyond reach of such mercies because of my folly, prevent me from eternal condemnation among those who deny You. Grant me the grace of genuine repentance; I wish to be a part of Your flock and liberated from everlasting torment, for if I am numbered among the guardians of Your kingdom, I shall eternally exult in Your mercy.\\n\\n7. Perhaps, O Christ and Son of God, You will bestow Your promised grace. You, who give generously, offer it not as a debt or reward, but prepare for us that which only You and the Father know. Though You could cast me aside and pass judgment upon my soul, recognizing my failings too late, in Your foresight, You permit benefits to result from my weakness. You allow me to flee in fear, keeping me humble amidst Your magnificent gifts—may such mercy extend to others as well. If I am granted pardon, what follows Your foretelling shall align with truth and works. In closing, I cautiously survey my path, torn between love and fear; I do not presume to believe wholeheartedly that I shall be forgiven, apprehensive that any certainty might lead to arrogance. You alone know reality and reveal it. I promise, O most merciful Physician of human souls, who came into the world to partake of our humanity without sin, should You grant great mercy, I will forever remember my wrongdoing. If You aid me, I will not claim any virtue, rather balancing it with my denial, cultivating humility. I will not dwell upon others' faults, but, as prompted by You, will serve their needs with care and mercy, especially to those who repent rather than harshly judge, reflecting Your boundless mercy.\\n\\nHaving succumbed before the simplest ones, out of fear and irrationality I denied my Lord and Benefactor, distancing myself from my fellow disciples. Yet, I will continue to live, bolstered by Your support, opposing tyrants and promoting Your glory by spreading truth, regarding life’s challenges as nothing. Despite my earlier promise to die with You, I grieve my failure. Afresh, I renew my vow—if, with Your strength, I must face death for Your name, I will embrace it joyfully. I pray, O Lord, if I could die joyfully for Your sake! While I cannot promise this as it rests solely on my frail nature, I shall encourage others to follow my path, inspired by Your grace, to remain in fellowship without succumbing to despair, even if corrective punishment befalls me as You intend. If all that remains is repentance, I shall continue to weep in a distant corner, meditating on my folly while disciplining myself, all the while holding steadfast in my hope in You.\\n\\n8. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, who for our sake endured humiliation, now glorified through suffering—if You have not utterly abandoned me, guide my heart and reveal which path leads to salvation. Teach me what I must do as I await Your appearance, as promised on the third day, alongside the disciples who are hopeful. If You instruct me in this nearing moment, it shall greatly comfort me to join with them, enjoying Your grace and prepared to do Your will. Yet, should You call me to follow a different path—the solitary way of repentance—I shall embrace it willingly. Direct me, O King; comfort my troubled soul; reveal Your will to me; do not remove Your grace from my heart. Thus I stand in silence, closing my eyes and fixing my mind solely on You.\\n\\n9. Glory to Your humanity, O Christ, Heavenly King, for You have heeded my supplication, urging me to join the brethren, offering me hope for the future. As a result of Your command, I shall return to the disciples, and together we will wait for Your direction. I will strive to manifest Your intentions through the promises I have taken upon myself, with Your enlightenment guiding me and strength supporting my frailty. Amen."},{"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":"He left and wept profoundly, signifying deep regret for the grave transgression of disowning his Lord. When the Lord reminded him of his wrongdoing (Luke 22:10), he refrained from weeping in public for fear of being judged for his tears, instead choosing to step away and weep intensely."},{"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 remorseful Peter recalled the Lord's warning, ‘Before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times.’ Overcome with sorrow, he stepped outside and wept bitterly. Peter quickly distanced himself from the scene of his sorrowful failure and from the eyes of others, shedding tears of deep grief. There are tears of joy, which are sweet, and tears that arise from shame or illness, lingering and painful. Yet, those tears that flow from a troubled conscience are the most intense, the most tormenting, and the most profound. My friends, even the most righteous can falter! Peter, who had absorbed the Lord’s teachings for so long, Peter, who practiced a sincere devotion before the Lord, Peter, who had not been tainted by life’s pursuits, who sought to do good, and whose piety was genuine rather than superficial—he fell. Not even an enlightened mind, shaped by divine wisdom, or vast experience in the spiritual realm could prevent Peter from this tragic collapse. Consider that he was a man uniquely favored by the One who sees beyond outward appearances into the heart, a man of exceptional worth. Yet this individual, who had endured numerous hardships for the sake of Jesus, who recognized Him as the Son of God and loved Him fervently, who was willing to die for Him and had received solemn warnings just a few hours before, fell three times in one night and renounced his Lord. Reflect on what this reveals about the limitations of good people acting solely by their own strength and understanding. How tragically misguided is the earthly philosophy that questions or rebukes the boundless love of our heavenly Father for humanity! Peter did not find true repentance until he was met by the life-giving gaze of divine mercy. It is human nature to stumble. The most a frail person can achieve is to sense the presence of grace and turn back in repentance. In contrast, the gravest peril lies in arrogance, self-satisfaction, and oblivious pride. Only a humble recognition of one’s propensity to falter, coupled with genuine sorrow for one’s shortcomings, distinguishes us from that fallen spirit who succumbed to pride. The state of that spirit, trapped in fear and hopelessness, is dire, for it refuses to acknowledge its fall or admit its wrongs. Therefore, let us weep, let us mourn profoundly for our sins: we have many, far more than Simon. ‘Be grieved, mourn, and wail,’ urges the Apostle James, ‘let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness; humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you’ (James 4:9-10). The risen Savior instructed His disciples to inform Peter about Him—in other words, He ensured that the weeping Peter recognized His enduring love, forgiving his past, embracing his repentance with compassion, and honoring him still as Peter, not as Simon. Likewise, He will receive your tears. Long ago, the prophet declared: the transgression of the wicked shall not lead to their demise; on that very day, he turns from his wickedness (Ezekiel 33:12). Glory and praise be to Your boundless goodness, O Lord! Our salvation rests in humility alone. Amen."},{"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":"St. Clement, a follower of the Apostle Peter, relates that throughout his life, Peter knelt with remorse as the rooster crowed at midnight, weeping profusely over his denial and seeking forgiveness, even though the Lord had already granted him absolution shortly after His resurrection. Tradition holds that St. Peter's eyes were always red from his frequent, sorrowful tears. St. Chrysostom remarks on the extraordinary nature of Peter's actions: in a moment of heated passion while the Master was being apprehended, Peter drew a sword and severed the ear of one of the captors. Yet, when the moment came for him to express his outrage, he instead denied Christ three times, not once but repeatedly, and all of this transpired in a brief span away from the courts, without an immediate recognition of his fall. Upon the rooster's crow, he failed to remember his actions until reminded by his Master, leaving him struck with fear. When Christ recalled Peter to his sin, Peter hesitated to weep openly, worried that his tears might lead to further condemnation, but eventually “going out, he wept bitterly.” St. Demetrius of Rostov reflects on Peter's denial, stating that it was not merely the blows and injuries inflicted by evildoers that pained the Lord, but rather Peter's declaration: “I do not know this Man.” \\n\\nO Holy Peter! Have you truly forgotten your Benefactor, the source of your comfort, the One whose radiant countenance you beheld on Tabor? This is the same One who healed your mother-in-law and to whom you confessed, “Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (Luke 5:8). This is the God-man from whom you requested to walk on water and who rescued you as you sank beneath the waves. When the Lord gazed upon you, you boldly proclaimed, “I will not be shaken forever” (Psalm 29:7), but once He looked away, you denied Him. The sage son of Sirach speaks the truth: “A friend is a friend in his time of need… a friend shares a meal but may abandon you in times of trouble” (Sirach 6:7-10). While Peter was at the Lord's table, he demonstrated his affection, yet when the moment of suffering arrived for Christ the Savior, he renounced Him: “and he shall not remain with you in the day of your affliction.” However, the Lord turned to Peter, causing him to recall the Lord's words… “And going out, he wept bitterly.” \\n\\nLet us weep bitterly alongside Peter, O sinful man, who daily denies the Lord with your transgressions when you live not in accordance with human dignity but like cattle; weep earnestly, comparing the ailments of your contrite heart with the sufferings of your Lord: “Is there any affliction like my affliction?” (Lamentations 1:12). St. Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow, notes that this unintentional but profound fall of Peter, which he mourned deeply, was permitted by God's Providence, not only to test him but also to instruct all Christians. Peter stumbled so that we might learn to tread carefully upon the path of salvation. “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12). If we believe we would willingly lay down our lives for Christ when necessary, we must not, like Peter, fall into self-deception from such confidence. We must vigilantly guard ourselves, especially when, for the unyielding confession of Christ, we are called to sacrifice anything less vital than life itself."},{"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":"Peter recalled the words spoken by Jesus: before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times (Mark 14:72); he then went outside and wept profoundly. St. Clement, a disciple of Peter, recounts that throughout the rest of Peter's life, each time the rooster crowed at night, he would kneel down in sorrow, repenting for his denial and seeking forgiveness, despite having already received it from Jesus Christ Himself shortly after the Resurrection. Peter was filled with tears of regret, yet it must have been particularly painful for Jesus to witness one of His closest disciples, among the remaining eleven, deny even knowing Him, too frightened to utter His name. The depth of mental anguish was overwhelming."}]}
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