The Night Before the Cross (from Matthew chapter 26)

Matthew 26:33 - Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

"Likewise also said they all" - Mark 14:31.

"Peter loved the Lord and meant every word but knew not his own weakness." - Ironside on Luke, p. 654.

Cross refs: I Corinthians 10:12; Proverbs 16:18.

Matthew 26:41 - Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

"A man's regenerated spirit may have good intentions, but it must control his body."  - Liberty Commentary.  See Romans 12:1; Romans 6; Romans 7; Galatians 5:17.

Contrast this verse with Matthew 15:8; Isaiah 29:13; Ezekiel 33:31.

Matthew 26:51 - On Peter cutting off an ear, see notes at Luke 22:49 (coming to this blog on April 2).

Matthew 26:58 - "But Peter followed him afar off...."

Instead of keeping close to the Lord and being plainly identified by all as a follower.  Peter's attachment to Jesus would not let him drift completely away, but he followed "afar off."  And so the carnal Christian or backslider.  Same note at Luke 22:54.

Matthew 26:63 - "But Jesus held his peace...."

Important cross ref: Isaiah 53:7.

VM