Peter and Apostles Declare Loyalty to Jesus
John 13:36-38; Luke 22:31-38; Mark 14:27-31; Matthew 26:31-35; Luke and John record this conversation as occurring in the Upper Room where Jesus and his disciples were celebrating the Feast of the Passover; Matthew and Mark put it at the Mount of Olives after the select group had left their paschal celebrations. What matters, however, is that all four gospel authors preserved it so we might: (1) View the weakness of man before he is strengthened by the power of the Holy Spirit; (2) Know Jesus' concept of true conversion; (3) Gain a better knowledge of the earlier command to go forth without purse or scrip; and (4) Receive a renewed announcement of the coming death of Jesus.
Matthew 26:31. What a dreadful thing it is to call for a sword against God; and yet it is part of the plan. Jesus is to die; the Shepherd is to be slain; the sheep are to be scattered. And Zechariah had foretold it all in these Messianic words: "Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." (Zechariah 13:7.)
Matthew 26:32; 32. Jesus' purpose in calling attention to Zechariah's Messianic prophecy was to strengthen the apostles. Though he was smitten and they were scattered, yet he would come forth in the triumph of the resurrection, and they must rally together, gather in the scattered sheep, and do the work assigned them.
John 13:36-37. Peter offers to be with Jesus in his death and is told, "Thou shalt follow me afterwards," which gives a prophetic glimpse of the death he should die. See John 21:18-19.
Matthew 26:33-35. To rise above the pressure of the world man must have God's help. However sincerely Peter felt he would stand valiantly in defense of his Master (and the others had like feelings), yet the weakness of the flesh forecast failure, because he (and they) were not yet endowed with the Holy Ghost.
Luke 22:31-32. Satan wanted to tempt Peter beyond his power to resist; he wanted Peter, the chief apostle, to fall. Satan wanted to harvest the earth, to sift the saints as wheat, so that both wheat and tares would be garnered into his bin. This he would find easier to do were Peter not there to guide them. Hence, Jesus' special prayer that Peter's faith fail not; and hence the continuing prayers of the saints, always and ever, for the apostles and prophets who guide the Church.
Luke 22:32; 32. When thou art converted] "Conversion is more—far more—than merely changing one's belief from that which is false to that which is true; it is more than the acceptance of the verity of gospel truths, than the acquirement of a testimony. To convert is to change from one status to another, and gospel conversion consists in the transformation of man from his fallen and carnal state to a state of saintliness.
Luke 22:32; "A convert is one who has put off the natural man, yielded to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and become 'a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.' Such a person has become 'as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.' (Mosiah 3:19.) He has become a new creature of the Holy Ghost: the old creature has been converted or changed into a new one. He has been born again: where once he was spiritually dead, he has been regenerated to a state of spiritual life. (Mosiah 27:24-29.) In real conversion, which is essential to salvation (Matthew 18:3), the convert not only changes his beliefs, casting off the false traditions of the past and accepting the beauties of revealed religion, but he changes his whole way of life, and the nature and structure of his very being is quickened and changed by the power of the Holy Ghost.
Luke 22:32; "Peter is the classic example of how the power of conversion works on receptive souls. During our Lord's mortal ministry, Peter had a testimony, born of the Spirit, of the divinity of Christ and of the great plan of salvation which was in Christ. 'Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God,' he said, as the Holy Ghost gave him utterance. (Matthew 16:13-19.) When others fell away, Peter stood forth with the apostolic assurance, 'We believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.' (John 6:69.) Peter knew, and his knowledge came by revelation.
Luke 22:32; "But Peter was not converted, because he had not become a new creature of the Holy Ghost. Rather, long after Peter had gained a testimony, and on the very night Jesus was arrested, he said to Peter: 'When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.' (Luke 22:32.) Immediately thereafter, and regardless of his testimony, Peter denied that he knew Christ. (Luke 22:54-62.) After the crucifixion, Peter went fishing, only to be called back to the ministry by the risen Lord. (John 21:1-17.) Finally on the day of Pentecost the promised spiritual endowment was received; Peter and all the faithful disciples became new creatures of the Holy Ghost; they were truly converted; and their subsequent achievements manifest the fixity of their conversions. (Acts 3; 4.)" (Mormon Doctrine, pp. 150-151.)
Matthew 26:34. Thou shalt deny me] See Matthew 26:69-75.
Luke 22:35-36. See Matthew 10:9-10. Jesus here revokes the command previously given to go forth without purse or scrip. Conditions have changed; what was once required is no longer expedient all of which shows the need of continuing revelation so the Lord's people will always know how to act in the circumstances confronting them at any given moment.
Luke 22:35-36; When faced with persecution, do the Lord's ministers turn the other cheek or raise the sword in their own defense? Do they go forth supplying their own needs or do they rely for their daily wants upon the generosity of those among whom they minister? Who but God can answer such questions, for the answers depend on a full knowledge both of present conditions and of the future. Jesus counseled one course at one time and the opposite at another. There is, thus, no sure guide for the Lord's people except present day revelation.
Luke 22:37; 37. Isaiah prophecied that when the Messiah should 'pour out his soul unto death,' he would then be "numbered with the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:12), referring to the two thieves who would be crucified with him. With the end at hand, Jesus again announces his coming death and identifies himself as the Messiah of Isaiah's prophecy.
Luke 22:38; 38. Jesus had authorized the disciples to defend themselves in the days of turmoil ahead. Not fully understanding they here offer two swords to defend him. He, however, has made the election to die and so dismisses their offer with an, 'Enough-of-this-kind-of-talk' statement.