three times

April 14, 2020

Three times (Acts 10:16)

“This happened three times.

Then this large sheet

Was suddenly

Taken up to heaven.”

τοῦτο δὲ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ τρίς, καὶ εὐθὺς ἀνελήμφθη τὸ σκεῦος εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν.

The author of Acts indicated that this happened three times (τοῦτο δὲ ἐγένετο ἐπὶ τρίς).  Suddenly (καὶ εὐθὺς) this giant large sheet (τὸ σκεῦος) was taken up (ἀνελήμφθη) to heaven (εἰς τὸν οὐρανόν).  Peter did not do anything.  He neither got up, killed, nor ate any unclean animal.  He had held his own against this voice.  The vision came to an end as the large sheet with all the animals went back to heaven.  What was Peter to do?  What would you do?

July 13, 2018

Jesus warns Peter about his desertion (Mt 26:34-26:34)

“Jesus said to him.

‘Truly!

I say to you!

This very night,

Before the cock crows,

You will deny me

Three times.’”

 

ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ἀμὴν λέγω σοι ὅτι ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με.

 

This is almost word for word in Mark, chapter 14:30, but the cock crowed twice rather than once.  In Luke, chapter 22:22, and John, chapter 13:38, there is 1 cock crow, but 3 denials as in Matthew here.  Jesus then turned on Peter.  He said to him (ἔφη αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς) with a solemn pronouncement (Ἀμὴν λέγω σοι) that this very night (ὅτι ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ) before the cock or rooster would crow (πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι), Peter would deny or disown him 3 times (τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με).  Peter was probably astonished to hear this.