54 Having arrested Him, they led Him away and brought Him to the house of the high priest ; but Peter was following at a distance . 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together , Peter was sitting among them. 56 And a servant-girl , seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said , "This man was with Him too ." 57 But he denied it, saying , "Woman , I do not know Him." 58 A little later , another saw him and said , "You are one of them too !" But Peter said , "Man , I am not!" 59 After about an hour had passed , another man began to insist , saying , "Certainly e this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too ." 60 But Peter said , "Man , I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately , while he was still speaking , a rooster crowed . 61 The Lord turned and looked at Peter . And Peter remembered the word of the Lord , how He had told him, " Before a rooster crows today , you will deny Me three times ." 62 And he went out and wept bitterly .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Luke 22:54-62
Commentary on Luke 22:54-62
(Read Luke 22:54-62)
Peter's fall was his denying that he knew Christ, and was his disciple; disowning him because of distress and danger. He that has once told a lie, is strongly tempted to persist: the beginning of that sin, like strife, is as the letting forth of water. The Lord turned and looked upon Peter. 1. It was a convincing look. Jesus turned and looked upon him, as if he should say, Dost thou not know me, Peter? 2. It was a chiding look. Let us think with what a rebuking countenance Christ may justly look upon us when we have sinned. 3. It was an expostulating look. Thou who wast the most forward to confess me to be the Son of God, and didst solemnly promise thou wouldest never disown me! 4. It was a compassionate look. Peter, how art thou fallen and undone if I do not help thee! 5. It was a directing look, to go and bethink himself. 6. It was a significant look; it signified the conveying of grace to Peter's heart, to enable him to repent. The grace of God works in and by the word of God, brings that to mind, and sets that home upon the conscience, and so gives the soul the happy turn. Christ looked upon the chief priests, and made no impression upon them as he did on Peter. It was not the mere look from Christ, but the Divine grace with it, that restored Peter.