Why Did Peter Deny Jesus Three Times?

The significance of Peter’s denial

Have you ever wondered why Peter had to deny Jesus three times? Judas, though his sin was very grave, betrayed Jesus only once. But Peter denied Jesus again and again. Why must he fall like this? Why three times?

I have realized the significance of this when I was reflecting upon my own sins. The sins that I fall into again and again. The sins that I confess repeatedly.

Are we not in a way also guilty of denying Jesus many times? Every time we choose something or someone else over Jesus, we are denying Him.

The frequency of our sins tell us something about ourselves. It tells us how weak we are and how badly we needed God’s grace in everything.

Many times, whenever we think we have already become holy, that’s when a temptation suddenly comes and if we’re counting upon our strength alone, we soon succumb into sin.

Had Peter fallen only once, he may have had an excuse. But doing it thrice confirms his weakness, his sins. And not until Jesus turned towards him and looked straight at him was he able to stop.

Who knows how long we’d sin over and over again until we meet the gaze of Jesus? It is only when we look at Him that we receive both mercy and grace to turn away from our sins.

“Let us … remember Peter: three times he denied Jesus, precisely when he should have been closest to him; and when he hits bottom he meets the gaze of Jesus who patiently, wordlessly, says to him: “Peter, don’t be afraid of your weakness, trust in Me.” Peter understands, he feels the loving gaze of Jesus and he weeps. How beautiful is this gaze of Jesus — how much tenderness is there! Brothers and sisters, let us never lose trust in the patience and mercy of God!” — Pope Francis

“I see now why Peter was not made Thy first vicar on earth until after he had fallen three times, in order that the Church of which he was the head might forever understand forgiveness and pardon. Jesus, I begin to see that if I had never sinned, I never could call You ‘Saviour.’” — Fulton Sheen

Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.” But he denied it, saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” Then about an hour later still another kept insisting, “Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.” But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
- Luke 22:56–62, NRSVCE

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