PETER’S EXPERIENCE WITH “THREE’S”

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:

WANTED TO BUILD THREE TABERNACLES -

Matthew 17:1-9; Mark 9:1-9; Luke 9:27-36 “And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, and we transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.  Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make (poieo = make, provide, raise up) here three tabernacles (skene = tent, hut, habitation, tabernacle); one for thee, and one for Moses (Law), and one for Elias (Prophet/Elijah).  For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.  And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”

WENT TO SLEEP THREE TIMES IN THE GARDEN -

Matthew 26:36, 39,41- 42, 44; Mark 13:18, 33; 14:32, 35, 38-39;

Luke 22:40-41, 46 “Then cometh Jesus with them into a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.   And he took with him Peter and two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying,, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.  And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.  He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.  And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy.  And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.  Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.”

DENIED THREE TIMES AROUND THE FIRE -

Matthew 26:58, 69-75; Mark 14:54, 66-72; Luke 22:54-61; John 18:15-18, 25-27 “And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.  And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, and thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.  And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou are a Galilean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.  But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.  And the second time the cock crew.  And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.  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 when he thought thereon, he went out and wept bitterly.”

THREE TIMES JESUS HAD SHOWN HIMSELF -

John 21:12-14 “Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine.  And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou?  Knowing that it was the Lord.  Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.  Now this was the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after he was risen from the dead.”

THREE TIMES JESUS ASKED, DO YOU LOVE ME? -

John 21:15-17 “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (agapao = God-kind of love) thou me more than these?  He saith unto him, yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileo = friendship love, to be a friend) thee.  He saith unto him, Feed (bosko = pasture, graze, keep, feed) my lambs (arnion = lampkin).  He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest (agapao = God-kind of love) thou me?  He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileo = friendship love, to be a friend) thee.  He saith unto him, Feed (poimaino = to tend as a shepherd; pastor) my sheep (probaton = advance in years, age, well stricken).  He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, Lovest (phileo = friendship love, to be a friend) thou me?  Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest (philoeo = friendship love, to be a friend) thou me?  And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love (phileo) thee.  Jesus saith unto him.  Feed (bosko = pasture, graze) my sheep (probaton = advance in years, age, well stricken).  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.  This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God.  And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow (akaloutheo = to be in the same way with, to accompany, as my disciple ) me (Jesus as Lord).”

THREE THOUSAND ADDED –

Acts 2:41 “Then they that gladly received his (Peter’s) word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”

THREE TIMES SHOWN A VISION –

Acts 10:11-16, 19; 11:5, 10 “And Peter saw heaven open, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat.  But Peter said,  Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.  And a voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.  I (Peter) was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descend, as it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even to me.  And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.” 

THREE MEN SEEK PETER –

Acts 10:19; 11:10-11 -“While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.  And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.”