Peter's Denials (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Note
Exam code: 8062
Jesus’s Warnings
27 And Jesus said to them, “You will all become deserters; for it is written,
‘I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’
28 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even though all become deserters, I will not.” 30 Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, this day, this very night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” 31 But he said vehemently, “Even though I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And all of them said the same. (Mark 14:27–31)
Peter Denies Jesus
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she stared at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I do not know or understand what you are talking about.” And he went out into the forecourt. Then the cock crowed. 69 And the servant-girl, on seeing him, began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. Then after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them; for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know this man you are talking about.” 72 At that moment the cock crowed for the second time. Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:66–72)
Jesus' warning
At the Last Supper, Jesus predicted that Peter, the leader of the disciples and future leader of the early Christian Church, would deny knowing him
Peter strongly protested and said that he would remain with Jesus throughout everything
However, Jesus knew what was to happen, and the predicted event occurred just a few hours later
After Jesus was arrested, Peter followed at a distance to the High Priest’s house
In the courtyard of the house, some people recognised Peter
The first person who approached him was a woman, a servant of the High Priest. She recognised that he had been with Jesus, who she called “the man from Nazareth”
Peter replied that he didn’t know what she was talking about
This was the first denial
The woman then repeated her claims to the people around her
Again, Peter denied knowing Jesus
This was the second denial
Finally, the bystanders accused him, as they recognised him as a Galilean from his accent
Peter made his third denial
On all three occasions, Peter denied knowing Jesus — just as Jesus had predicted
When the cock crowed, Peter remembered Jesus’s words and broke down, crying at his failure
Peter and discipleship
Peter denied Jesus out of fear that he might also be arrested
He was alone and probably felt vulnerable after Jesus’s arrest
These passages demonstrate the difficulty of being a disciple, as Jesus had warned his followers about in Mark 8:34–38
Christians today can learn much from Peter’s example:
Even the closest of Jesus’s followers can make mistakes — no one is perfect
This can reassure Christians who are trying to do their best to remain faithful in difficult times
Peter instantly showed remorse through his tears — Jesus later forgave him (Mark’s Gospel does not record this, but John’s does), and Peter became the head of the early Christian Church
This shows Christians today that repentance can bring forgiveness
Peter showed courage in following Jesus when he was arrested instead of just running away. Because of this, we know what happened at the High Priest’s house
Peter’s recounting of this story to Mark for this Gospel serves as a lesson that all Christians can learn from
Worked Example
Why might Peter’s denials still encourage Christians today? [1 mark]
A. They show that all sin is unforgivable once committed.
B. They show that mistakes and fear are normal, but repentance brings forgiveness.
C. They show that discipleship requires no personal sacrifice in the end.
D. They show that only priests and leaders are expected to stay faithful under pressure.
Answer:
B. They show that mistakes and fear are normal, but repentance brings forgiveness.
Peter failed, wept and was later forgiven, which shows discipleship is about learning and forgiveness.
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Peter’s denial is a reminder that discipleship is demanding and often frightening. Go over your revision of the previous section: The Cost & Reward of Discipleship. In the exam, you can include the example of Peter’s denials to help you explain how difficult discipleship can be.
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