Another lesson Christ had to give, relating especially to Peter. Peter's denial of his Lord had been in shameful contrast to his former professions of loyalty. He had dishonored Christ, and had incurred the distrust of his brethren. They thought he would not be allowed to take his former position among them, and he himself felt that he had forfeited his trust. Before being called to take up again his apostolic work, he must before them all give evidence of his repentance. Without this, his sin, though repented of, might have destroyed his influence as a minister of Christ. The Saviour gave him opportunity to regain the confidence of his brethren, and, so far as possible, to remove the reproach he had brought upon the gospel.

Kristus havde også noget andet at lære dem, og dette gjaldt særlig Peter. Peters fornægtelse af sin Herre havde været en skammelig modsætning til hans tidligere erklæringer om troskab. Han havde vanæret Kristus og havde pådraget sig sine medbrødres mistillid. De mente, at han nu ikke mere ville få lov til at indtage sin tidligere plads iblandt dem, og han følte selv, at han havde forspildt den tillid, der var vist ham. Før han blev kaldet til atter at genoptage sin gerning som apostel, måtte han over for dem alle give beviser for sin anger. I mangel heraf ville hans synd, skønt han havde angret den, måske være kommet til at nedbryde hans indflydelse som Kristi tjener. Frelseren gav ham lejlighed til at genvinde sine brødres tillid og til så vidt muligt at fjerne den plet, han havde sat på evangeliet.