Question: Which apostle denied knowing Jesus three times after his arrest?
Show answer
Peter.
One of the most poignant moments in the New Testament revolves around Peter, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, who, despite his deep devotion and loyalty, denied knowing Jesus three times after His arrest. This event is particularly striking because it was foretold by Jesus himself shortly before it occurred.
Peter, originally named Simon, was among the first of the disciples to follow Jesus. His faith was so profound that Jesus renamed him “Peter,” meaning “rock,” signaling the foundational role he would play in establishing the early Christian church. In various instances in the Gospels, Peter’s fervor and impetuosity are evident. He is often depicted as the most outspoken of the Twelve Apostles and is recognized for both his deep faith and his human failings.
The night before Jesus was crucified, during the Last Supper, He warned His disciples that they would all fall away. Peter, ever the passionate disciple, immediately refuted this, declaring that even if all others deserted Jesus, he never would. It was then that Jesus prophesied: “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” Peter vehemently denied such a possibility, asserting that he would willingly die with Jesus rather than deny Him.
However, after Jesus’ arrest, as He was being tried, Peter found himself in the courtyard of the high priest. There, on three separate occasions, individuals recognized and identified him as one of Jesus’ followers. Fearful for his safety, Peter denied knowing Jesus each time. The third denial was punctuated by the crowing of a rooster, just as Jesus had predicted.
This experience was deeply traumatic for Peter. Realizing what he had done, and that Jesus’ words had come to pass, he wept bitterly. Despite this moment of profound weakness, Peter’s story did not end in despair. After Jesus’ resurrection, He specifically sought out Peter, offering redemption and reaffirming Peter’s central role in the nascent Christian movement. This episode serves as a powerful testament to human frailty, the capacity for redemption, and the boundless grace offered by Jesus. It reminds believers of the dangers of overconfidence and the importance of humility and repentance.
