Denials of Peter

The SIX Denials of Peter

Midnight to three AM was the third watch of the night called "cock crowing"
- roosters crow at 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 AM in the east

1ST DENIAL	2ND DENIAL	3RD DENIAL	1ST COCK CROWING	4TH DENIAL	5TH DENIAL	6TH DENIAL	2ND COCK CROWING
John 18:15-18	Matthew 26:69-70 Mark 14:66-69 Luke 22:55-57	Luke 22:58	Mark 14:68b	Matthew 26:71-72 Mark 14:69-70a	Matthew 26:73-74a Mark 14:70b-71 John 18:25	Luke 22:59-60a John 18:26-27a	Matthew 26:74b Mark 14:72a Luke 22:60b John 18:27b
Before Annas Doorway to courtyard	Before Caiaphas By the fire in the courtyard	Before Caiaphas By the fire in the courtyard		Before Caiaphas In porch area near a large door or gate	Before Caiaphas By the fire in the courtyard	Before Caiaphas By the fire in the courtyard
Young female	Young maiden	A man	12:30 AM	Another maiden	Several accusers Peter starts swearing	Another man Male servant of the high priest	1:30 AM

Matthew 26:34 - before the cock crow, thou shalt deny that thou knowest me.
Luke 22:34 - the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
John 13:38 - The cock shall not crow , till thou hast denied me thrice.
It is clear from these three records that Peter would deny Christ three times before the first (12:30) cock crowing.

Mark 14:30 - before the cock crow twice thou shalt deny me thrice.
Mark 14:72 - before the cock crow twice thou shalt deny me thrice.
The King James puts a comma after the word twice in these records. Remove the comma (there were no commas in the original) and you have the truth of the Word which is that there would be six denials. Twice thou shalt deny me thrice - 2X3=6.

Scripture Builds Up

Several passages of Scripture on an identical incident or subject may augment the information given in each other. It is especially important when studying records from the four gospels to recognize that each passage of Scripture relating to the same incident may not give the same details but the Scriptures must complement and agree with each other or we do not have the true Word of God. In studying the development of identical situations in various passages of Scripture, it becomes vitally important to observe The Word with a keen eye and perceptive mind to see the depth of it. If the situations are identical, that which is set forth in one Scripture cannot contradict that which is set forth in the other. However, Matthew may report certain details, Mark may add others, and Luke still others. Put together the details from each individual record supply us with the whole picture.

As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25