Q: In Matthew 26:69-73, Peters three denials are presented as being spoken to (1) a servant girl in the courtyard, then (2) another girl, and then (3) those who stood by.
Mark 14:66-72, however, presents Peters three denials as being spoken to (1) a servant girl in the courtyard, (2) the same servant-girl, and then (3) those who stood by.
Luke 22:56-62, however, presents Peters three denial as being spoken to (1) a servant-girl, (2) another person, and (3) another person. John 18:17-18 and 18:25-27, however, presents Peters three denials as being spoken to (1) a servant-girl who kept the door, (2) a group of people, and (3) a servant of the high priest, who was a relative of Malchus.
Arent these accounts contradictory?
A: No. Lets group them together, keeping some significant details in mind as we do so.
Peters first denial-encounter takes place between Peter and a servant-girl (Mt. 26:69) but is also something which Matthew says that Peter declared before them all (26:70). As I mention in a response to a related question, Peters first denial consisted of three statements delivered rapid-fire: I dont know or understand what youre saying and Woman, I dont know Him and Im not one of His disciples. When this is realized, all the accounts of Peters first denial-encounter are shown to be supplemental, not contradictory.
When Peters second denial-encounter begins, the servant-girl who initiated the first encounter has gotten a friend to support her, and this time they join their voices to inform the bystanders that Peter was with Jesus of Nazareth. The bystanders join their voices to the girls accusation. Peter responds by saying to everyone present, I do not know the man.
The bystanders, however, are not convinced. At some point, Malchus relative arrives, and initiates the third denial-encounter by confronting Peter with the other bystanders, who do not speak in chorus but offer the same basic accusation in different words -- some emphasize Peters Galilean accent (as in Matthew 26:73 and Mark 14:70 (and, implicitly, in Luke 22:59) while Malchus relative (a special Johannine source, it would seem) asks, Didnt I see you in the garden with Him?. Peter reacts by saying that he doesnt know what they are talking about (Lk. 22:60), and does not know who this Jesus fellow is that they are talking about (Mk. 14:71 and Mt. 26:74), and thus denies that he was with Jesus (John doesnt present Peters verbal response at this point in John 18:27 -- which is understandable, since Matthew mentions that it was laced with cursing.)
Thus via a comparison of the four accounts, one can observe the thematic accents of each, and the influence of special sources, but as is so often the case, they supplement, rather than contradict, one another.
Btw, this is not the only way to resolve the question posed. Others have done so by positing that Peter denied Jesus four times -- twice to the girl at the gate, and then two more times to others.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
Mark 14:66-72, however, presents Peters three denials as being spoken to (1) a servant girl in the courtyard, (2) the same servant-girl, and then (3) those who stood by.
Luke 22:56-62, however, presents Peters three denial as being spoken to (1) a servant-girl, (2) another person, and (3) another person. John 18:17-18 and 18:25-27, however, presents Peters three denials as being spoken to (1) a servant-girl who kept the door, (2) a group of people, and (3) a servant of the high priest, who was a relative of Malchus.
Arent these accounts contradictory?
A: No. Lets group them together, keeping some significant details in mind as we do so.
Peters first denial-encounter takes place between Peter and a servant-girl (Mt. 26:69) but is also something which Matthew says that Peter declared before them all (26:70). As I mention in a response to a related question, Peters first denial consisted of three statements delivered rapid-fire: I dont know or understand what youre saying and Woman, I dont know Him and Im not one of His disciples. When this is realized, all the accounts of Peters first denial-encounter are shown to be supplemental, not contradictory.
When Peters second denial-encounter begins, the servant-girl who initiated the first encounter has gotten a friend to support her, and this time they join their voices to inform the bystanders that Peter was with Jesus of Nazareth. The bystanders join their voices to the girls accusation. Peter responds by saying to everyone present, I do not know the man.
The bystanders, however, are not convinced. At some point, Malchus relative arrives, and initiates the third denial-encounter by confronting Peter with the other bystanders, who do not speak in chorus but offer the same basic accusation in different words -- some emphasize Peters Galilean accent (as in Matthew 26:73 and Mark 14:70 (and, implicitly, in Luke 22:59) while Malchus relative (a special Johannine source, it would seem) asks, Didnt I see you in the garden with Him?. Peter reacts by saying that he doesnt know what they are talking about (Lk. 22:60), and does not know who this Jesus fellow is that they are talking about (Mk. 14:71 and Mt. 26:74), and thus denies that he was with Jesus (John doesnt present Peters verbal response at this point in John 18:27 -- which is understandable, since Matthew mentions that it was laced with cursing.)
Thus via a comparison of the four accounts, one can observe the thematic accents of each, and the influence of special sources, but as is so often the case, they supplement, rather than contradict, one another.
Btw, this is not the only way to resolve the question posed. Others have done so by positing that Peter denied Jesus four times -- twice to the girl at the gate, and then two more times to others.
Yours in Christ,
Waterrock
