Definition: And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down that passage from Luke 22:61 together. It’s a really important moment in Jesus’ ministry and it’s packed with meaning. Here's what it says in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes Peter remembering something very important – a direct command from God. “And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter.” - This means Jesus noticed Peter was thinking about something He said. It’s like when you’re lost in your own thoughts, and suddenly someone notices you. Jesus was paying attention to Peter's mind. “And Peter remembered the word of the Lord…” – This is key. It’s not just a random thought; it’s a remembering . He’s recalling something He heard from God. “…how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.” - This is the core of the verse. It's a specific instruction given to Peter by Jesus: “You shall deny me thrice.” “Before the cock crow” : This refers to the very early morning – before the sun rose. It was a time when people were still sleeping and waking up. “Thou shalt…” - This is a command, a rule. “…deny me thrice” : This means Peter must deny Jesus three times. What does this all mean? It’s often interpreted as a test of Peter's faith and loyalty to Jesus. It shows that even though Peter was a very important figure, he was willing to disobey God's command. It suggests that Peter might be questioning or struggling with his beliefs. Why is this significant? This story is considered one of the most dramatic moments in the Gospels because it’s the first instance where Jesus confronts and challenges a disciple directly. It’s a moment of intense pressure, and it's seen as a key step towards Jesus’ eventual betrayal. In short, this verse tells us that Peter remembered a crucial command from God and was forced to obey it, even when it seemed difficult. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points in more detail? Talk about the historical context of this passage? Explore what this story might symbolize (like the struggle between obedience and doubt)?