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
It is clear from these three records that Peter would deny Christ three times before the first (12:30) cock crowing. 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

Cortright Fellowship
URL http://www.cortright.org/denypetr.htm
© Copyright March 1997 Michael Cortright