Peter on crucifixion of Jesus?

Question

for school i have to do a interview with Peter and his feelings on the crucifixion. From what i understand Peter denied believing in Jesus. Anyone know any good websites about Peter or know anything about how he felt tows the crucifixion? thanks

Answer 1

Hello!

You were given good answers!

I bet Peter's feelings toward crucifixion were not different than of people of his time. The cross was the worst instrument for torture and shame. It was prepared for the slaves and the worst criminals. The people who died on the cross didn't have the "right", according to the romans, to be buried. They would leave them hanging up there for weeks. I even heard that they would crucify them one meter from the ground so the dogs could come and eat the dead bodies. I also heard that the romans would tie their arms and legs to a horse, and pull them off from the cross, and drag them to a place where they could just throw them there. No wonder why the Bible tells us that a man asked for the body of Jesus to be buried!

Well, once we know the way a condemned person was treated, Peter's view of the cross is more comprehensive. Besides, the disciples thought that Jesus would take Israel's throne and defeat their enemies --that's what the Israelites had thought the Messiah would do. The fact that Jesus was crucified just disapointed the disciples (though Jesus had fortold His death, they seemed to not pay attention to His words, and kept their own hopes on what the Messiah would be).

According to tradition, when Peter himself was sentenced to be crucified, he asked to be crucified in a different position than the one Jesus.

I think Peter's feelings about Jesus' crucifixion could be described in the following words:

<< Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?" They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?" "What things?" he asked. "About Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn't find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see." >> (Luke 24:13-24)

As we may see, these two disciples were frustrated. Just one week before Jesus' crucifixion, Christ had entered through the gates of Jerusalem, riding on a donkey as a King, and had received the people's worship. They all thought that Jesus was starting His royal campaign towards the throne. But now, Jesus was death, and "we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel".

The hebrew term Messiah means "the Annointed". The Bible had prophecized the Messiah's mission (read Isaiah 53, for example). In the Bible, the first and second coming of Jesus is prophecized. The Israelites in Jesus' times, "had studied the prophecies, but without spiritual insight. Thus they overlooked those scriptures that point to the humiliation of Christ's first advent, and misapplied those that speak of the glory of His second coming" (The Desire of Ages, pg. 30). They thought that the Messiah would come with power and glory in His first coming, take the throne of David, and defeat the nation's enemies -- in this case, the romans. One of the Christ's (the greek word for "the Annointed") first advent missions, was to die for the sins of the whole world (as Isaiah 53 fortold). He was not coming with power and glory in His first advent, but as a "lamb to the slaughter", for "he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:7; 53:5). But this idea of the Messiah didn't fit with most of the nation of Israel. They needed a military Leader, not a spiritual Leader (most of them thought); a national Hero that supplies what they thought they needed the most: liberty from their oppresors.

When we read the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, found in Luke 24, we see that this was their view, and the view of the 12 disciples (and, of course, Peter's too).

Now we see why they were so disapointed by Jesus' cricifixion. They had left everything for Him, they had laid their best hopes on Him, and now He was dead! The gang had spread out to hide from the religious leaders, and now nothing seemed to remain from the "movement".

When we continue reading the story of Luke 24, we see how Jesus changes their view by teaching them the Bible prophecies concerning Himself:

<< He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" >> (Luke 24:25-32).

Peter denied Jesus, but it was for fear to be ridiculized by the mob. I love the way the book, "The Desire of Ages", describes the scene. It starts at Jesus' trial:

<< But a keener anguish rent the heart of Jesus; the blow that inflicted the deepest pain no enemy's hand could have dealt. While He was undergoing the mockery of an examination before Caiaphas, Christ had been denied by one of His own disciples.

<< After deserting their Master in the garden, two of the disciples had ventured to follow, at a distance, the mob that had Jesus in charge. These disciples were Peter and John. The priests recognized John as a well-known disciple of Jesus, and admitted him to the hall, hoping that as he witnessed the humiliation of his Leader, he would scorn the idea of such a one being the Son of God. John spoke in favor of Peter, and gained an entrance for him also.

<< In the court a fire had been kindled; for it was the coldest hour of the night, being just before the dawn. A company drew about the fire, and Peter presumptuously took his place with them. He did not wish to be recognized as a disciple of Jesus. By mingling carelessly with the crowd, he hoped to be taken for one of those who had brought Jesus to the hall.

<< But as the light flashed upon Peter's face, the woman who kept the door cast a searching glance upon him. She had noticed that he came in with John, she marked the look of dejection on his face, and thought that he might be a disciple of Jesus. She was one of the servants of Caiaphas' household, and was curious to know. She said to Peter, "Art not thou also one of this Man's disciples?" Peter was startled and confused; the eyes of the company instantly fastened upon him. He pretended not to understand her; but she was persistent, and said to those around her that this man was with Jesus. Peter felt compelled to answer, and said angrily, "Woman, I know Him not." This was the first denial, and immediately the [c-o-c-k] crew. O Peter, so soon ashamed of thy Master! so soon to deny thy Lord!

<< The disciple John, upon entering the judgment hall, did not try to conceal the fact that he was a follower of Jesus. He did not mingle with the rough company who were reviling his Master. He was not questioned, for he did not assume a false character, and thus lay himself liable to suspicion. He sought a retired corner secure from the notice of the mob, but as near Jesus as it was possible for him to be. Here he could see and hear all that took place at the trial of his Lord.

<< Peter had not designed that his real character should be known. In assuming an air of indifference he had placed himself on the enemy's ground, and he became an easy prey to temptation. If he had been called to fight for his Master, he would have been a courageous soldier; but when the finger of scorn was pointed at him, he proved himself a coward. Many who do not shrink from active warfare for their Lord are driven by ridicule to deny their faith. By associating with those whom they should avoid, they place themselves in the way of temptation. They invite the enemy to tempt them, and are led to say and do that of which under other circumstances they would never have been guilty. The disciple of Christ who in our day disguises his faith through dread of suffering or reproach denies his Lord as really as did Peter in the judgment hall.

<< Peter tried to show no interest in the trial of his Master, but his heart was wrung with sorrow as he heard the cruel taunts, and saw the abuse He was suffering. More than this, he was surprised and angry that Jesus should humiliate Himself and His followers by submitting to such treatment. In order to conceal his true feelings, he endeavored to join with the persecutors of Jesus in their untimely jests. But his appearance was unnatural. He was acting a lie, and while seeking to talk unconcernedly he could not restrain expressions of indignation at the abuse heaped upon his Master.

<< Attention was called to him the second time, and he was again charged with being a follower of Jesus. He now declared with an oath, "I do not know the Man." Still another opportunity was given him. An hour had passed, when one of the servants of the high priest, being a near kinsman of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked him, "Did not I see thee in the garden with Him?" "Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto." At this Peter flew into a rage. The disciples of Jesus were noted for the purity of their language, and in order fully to deceive his questioners, and justify his assumed character, Peter now denied his Master with cursing and swearing. Again the [c-o-c-k] crew. Peter heard it then, and he remembered the words of Jesus, "Before the [c-o-c-k] crow twice, thou shalt deny Me thrice." Mark 14:30.

<< While the degrading oaths were fresh upon Peter's lips, and the shrill crowing of the [c-o-c-k] was still ringing in his ears, the Saviour turned from the frowning judges, and looked full upon His poor disciple. At the same time Peter's eyes were drawn to his Master. In that gentle countenance he read deep pity and sorrow, but there was no anger there.

<< The sight of that pale, suffering face, those quivering lips, that look of compassion and forgiveness, pierced his heart like an arrow. Conscience was aroused. Memory was active. Peter called to mind his promise of a few short hours before that he would go with his Lord to prison and to death. He remembered his grief when the Saviour told him in the upper chamber that he would deny his Lord thrice that same night. Peter had just declared that he knew not Jesus, but he now realized with bitter grief how well his Lord knew him, and how accurately He had read his heart, the falseness of which was unknown even to himself.

<< A tide of memories rushed over him. The Saviour's tender mercy, His kindness and long-suffering, His gentleness and patience toward His erring disciples,--all was remembered. He recalled the caution, "Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Luke 22:31, 32. He reflected with horror upon his own ingratitude, his falsehood, his perjury. Once more he looked at his Master, and saw a sacrilegious hand raised to smite Him in the face. Unable longer to endure the scene, he rushed, heartbroken, from the hall.

<< He pressed on in solitude and darkness, he knew not and cared not whither. At last he found himself in Gethsemane. The scene of a few hours before came vividly to his mind. The suffering face of his Lord, stained with bloody sweat and convulsed with anguish, rose before him. He remembered with bitter remorse that Jesus had wept and agonized in prayer alone, while those who should have united with Him in that trying hour were sleeping. He remembered His solemn charge, "Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation." Matt. 26:41. He witnessed again the scene in the judgment hall. It was torture to his bleeding heart to know that he had added the heaviest burden to the Saviour's humiliation and grief. On the very spot where Jesus had poured out His soul in agony to His Father, Peter fell upon his face, and wished that he might die. >> (The Desire of Ages, pg. 710-713 [ I invite you to keep reading this interesting chapter on http://www.whiteestate.org/books/da/da75.html])

Peter was not the only disciple who failed Jesus. Actually, all the twelve left Him. Judas betrayed Him, and instead of going to the Father and ask for forgiveness as Peter did, he hung himself. Peter repented from his sin, and was forgiven. God never sends back any one who goes to Him for help. Jesus knew about Peter's repentance, and He would let it know to the other 10 at the sea shore (read John 21; you may also read the following webpage: http://www.whiteestate.org/books/da/da85.html).

So I hope this helped. Peter saw crucifixion just as any of his contemporaries did: as an awful and shameful way of execution. And it was worse when crucifixion was applied to Jesus, the One they thought would become King over Israel soon, and they would be the prime ministers or something (before Jesus washed their feet, they all wanted to be the greatest in Jesus' kingdom. Once Jesus showed them a lesson of humbleness, they really learned it, at least 11 of them). Jesus' death was worse and more confusing when they knew He could have delivered so easily! Why doesn't He defend Himself?

If you would like more information, or if I misunderstood your question, please tell me; I'd really like to help. Hope this answers your question though.

Take care, and God bless you!

Answer 2

Incorrect, he denied knowing Jesus. None of the disciples believed Jesus was going to be resurrected. I include the relevant part from the Bible so you can check it.
Basically Judas betrayed Jesus to the Priests (Mark 14:10) and said he would be in the local park, called the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:32) at such and such a time in the evening. Jesus and the disciples had the Passover feast and then went to the park. While there the Jesus went off to pray on his own and the disciples fell asleep, so Jesus would go over and wake them up, but they kept falling asleep. Then suddenly Judas turned up with a some Roman Soldiers and Temple Guards (John 18:3). He had told them, "The man I kiss is the one you are to arrest." When he saw Jesus he walked over and gave him a kiss on the cheek (Matthew 26:48 - 50) and arrested him. Peter had a sword and attacked them to stop them from arresting Jesus, cutting of the ear of a servant (John 18:10 and Matthew 26:51), but Jesus stopped them (Luke 22:51) and healed the man, so the disciples ran away (Mark 14:50), but a few, including Peter and John, followed the party, possibly to see what would happen to Jesus (John 18:15). The soldiers / guards took Jesus to the house of Annas, who was the father in law of the High Priest. They held Jesus in him in the courtyard. John (called "the other disciple" in John's gospel) was well known to the people in the house, so he and Peter were allowed in (John 18:15 -16), but because of the crowd around Jesus couldn't get close. It was a cold night and the servants and guards had a fire going so Peter went over to the fire and it was there that he denied Jesus 3 times (John 18 vs 17, 25 - 27), then the rooster crowed and Jesus looked at Peter and he remembered what Jesus had said about denying him 3 times (Luke 22: 60 - 63).
This is the basics, so I hope it helps. The best thing is to read the verses from a Bible if you have access to one, preferably a modern translation. If you don't then go to www.bible.com you can pick a version of the Bible to read. Try something like the New Living Translation or the New International Version.

Answer 3

Email me and I'll help... Is this a paper you are to write or will it be an "acted out" interview with someone playing Peter's part?

Denial was foretold by Jesus and John's Gospel tells about that.

History tells us of Peter's own execution and his feelings about Crucifixion then.

,,,Peter WAS NOT the "rock" foundation of the church, RATHER, Peter's confession of Jesus' true identity was the foundation.

I notice a few people saying Jesus told Peter that he would deny him 3 times before the "rooster" crowed. The Greek text literally translates "c o c k calls." The "rooster" reading lacks credibility on a couple points:
1. Fowl were not allowed in the city of Jerusalem, particularly at festival times.
2. "C o c k" was a slang name for the "temple crier," who was usually a Levite boy that was charged with letting the assembled worshipers know the time and about upcoming events taking place in the temple area.

Answer 4

In the garden where Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, and while Jesus was being taken away by soldiers of the Jewish religious leaders, Peter was distraught and pledged his undying loyalty and devotion to Jesus, who responded to Peter by saying that before the rooster crowed (i.e., before dawn of the coming day), Peter would deny Jesus three times.

This in fact occurred. During and after the crucifixion, Peter was consumed by guilt, although not to the extent of Judas Iscariot, who hanged himself.

Answer 5

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial 31 on the way, Jesus advised them, “this night all o8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7 you will desolate tract me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike[f] the Shepherd, and the sheep o8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7 the 8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7lock would be scattered.’ 32 yet a8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7ter I even have been raised 8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7rom the lifeless, i will bypass forward o8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7 you to Galilee and meet you there.” 33 Peter declared, “Even i8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7 relatively everyone else deserts you, i will by no potential desolate tract you.” 34 Jesus spoke back, “I make it easier to be attentive to the fact, Peter—this very night, be8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7ore the hen crows, you will deny thrice which you additionally be attentive to me.” 35 “No!” Peter insisted. “Even i8fa14cdd754f91cc6554c9e71929cce7 I could die with you, i will by no potential deny you!” And all the different disciples vowed the comparable. Matt 26

Answer 6

After witnessing the miracles of Jesus, Peter denied Him - just as Jesus said he would.

Matthew 26:75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

And yet, after Jesus' resurrection, the angel wanted Peter to know he was still forgiven,in the game and part of the team - instructing the women to go tell the disciples *and Peter*.

Mark 16:7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

Hallelujah.

Answer 7

peter was Jesus closest disciple... Jesus called him Peter the Rock... Upon peter the "Church" was established... When Jesus was crucified, jesus told peter he would deny him 3 times before the cock crowed.... And he did.... this didn't mean peter didn't Love jesus, it meant Peter was of the FLESH.... he was weak.... Like we all are...... In the first four books of the New testament..... You can get alot of research on peter and his relationship with the Lord Jesus.... Peter was broken hearted at what happened to his Lord..... He was ashamed of himself..... Say for instance a friend of yours is in trouble, and you can help them get out of trouble, but you will be punished.... Severely.... Would you help or would you run.... Peter ran..... He Loved Jesus, But he was scared.... he was disillusioned... read Matthew, Mark Luke & John to get a better understanding... hope this helps you some.... Very Wide Subject...

Answer 8

Peter repented and was forgiven. You can read the book of Acts and 1st and 2nd Peter.

The gospel accounts show how it was that Peter was to be sorely sifted since he was so confident in his loyalty. So much so that he thought he could overcome the prediction of Christ that all would leave Him. Afterward, Christ asked Peter three times if he loved Him. Peter was forgiven.

Stay close to the Word. Peter's sin was for our benefit and should be treated accordingly.

Answer 9

Why don't you read 1 Peter and 2 Peter. You will find that your assumptions are false. He indeed denied Christ, but repented.

Answer 10

Peter, "The Rock," denies Jesus in the passion narrative for a couple reasons: 1) Jesus had told him that he would deny him, so it's only fitting that he fulfil the "prophecy," and 2) it helps heighten the drama and inspire further pity for Jesus. I suppose I can admit David P's point that it's also intended to serve as a "cautionary tale" on hubris and moral weakness.

Answer 11

This is the Apostle that people think the Vatican is referring to when they use the name PETER.

I feel it is more likely PETER MANGUS!

( Look him up in the Bible! )