confidence, joined him in pressing the assertion upon Peter. If this is the case, then two of
the evangelists have given the general statement, using simply the plural number; while the
other two have preferred to particularize only the one special individual who played the
chief part in the transaction. But, once more, Matthew affirms that the words, “Surely thou
also art one of them, for thy speech bewrayeth thee,” were spoken to Peter himself. In like
manner, John tells us that the question, “Did not I see thee in the garden with him?” was
addressed directly to Peter. But Mark, on the other hand, gives us to understand that the
sentence, “Surely he is one of them, for he is also a Galilæan,” was what those who stood by
said to each other about Peter. And, in the same way, Luke indicates that the declaration
uttered by the other person, who said, “Of a truth, this fellow also was with him, for he is a
Galilæan,” was not addressed to Peter, but was made regarding Peter. These variations,
however, may be explained either by understanding the evangelists, who speak of Peter as
the person directly addressed, to have fairly reproduced the general sense, inasmuch as what
was spoken about the man in his own presence was much the same as if it had been spoken
immediately to him; or by supposing that both these methods of address were actually
practised, and that the one has been noticed by the former evangelists, and the other by the
latter. Moreover, we take the second cockcrowing to have occurred after the third denial,
as Mark has expressly informed us.
26. Matthew then proceeds with his narrative in these terms: “And Peter remembered
the word of Jesus which He had said unto him, Before the cock crow thou shalt deny me
thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.”1322 Mark, again, gives it thus: “And Peter called
to mind the word that Jesus had said unto him, Before the cock crow twice thou shall deny
me thrice. And he began to weep.”1323 Luke’s version is as follows: “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. And Peter went out and wept bit-
terly.”1324 John says nothing about Peter’s recollection and weeping. Now, the statement
made here by Luke, to the effect that “the Lord turned and looked upon Peter,” is one which
requires more careful consideration, with a view to its correct acceptance. For although
there are also inner halls (or courts), so named, it was in the outer court (or hall) that Peter
appeared on this occasion among the servants, who were warming themselves along with
him at the fire. And it is not a credible supposition that Jesus was heard by the Jews in this
place, so that we might also understand the look referred to to have been a look with the
1322 Matt. xxvi. 75.
1323 Mark xiv. 72: the words, “when he thought thereon,” being omitted. [There is nothing omitted. The
difficult Greek term (ἐπιβαλών) is explained by “when he thought thereon” in the Authorized Version. Augustin’s
view is given in Revised Version margin, “And he began to weep.”—R.]
1324 Luke xxii. 61, 62.
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Of the Harmony Characterizing the Accounts Which These Evangelists Give…