What does Luke 22:62 mean?
What is the meaning of Luke 22:62?

And

• This single conjunction ties Peter’s reaction directly to the previous moment when “the Lord turned and looked at Peter” (Luke 22:61).

• It reminds us that the episode is not isolated; it fulfills Christ’s prediction in Luke 22:34 and echoes earlier warnings such as Matthew 26:31.

• Similar narrative flow appears in Mark 14:72 and John 18:27, showing the historical harmony of the Gospels.


he went outside

• Peter moves away from the high priest’s courtyard (Luke 22:55), distancing himself from the scene of failure.

• His departure pictures a needed separation from compromise, much like Joseph’s flight in Genesis 39:12 or the call in 2 Corinthians 6:17 to “come out from among them.”

• The action also fulfills Jesus’ earlier words in Luke 22:32: “when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers,” hinting that repentance begins with stepping out of the wrong place.


and

• This coordinating word links movement to emotion, underscoring that repentance is both an action and a heart response (cf. Acts 2:37–38).

• It reminds us that conviction without corresponding feeling—or feeling without decisive action—falls short of true change (James 2:17).


wept

• Peter’s tears embody authentic sorrow over sin, paralleling Ezra 10:1, Psalm 51:17, and 2 Corinthians 7:10 where godly grief leads to repentance.

• The verb shows that confession is more than acknowledgment; it involves the whole person—mind, will, and emotions.

• Unlike Judas’s despairing remorse (Matthew 27:3–5), Peter’s tears open the door to restoration (John 21:15–17).


bitterly

• The adverb amplifies the depth of Peter’s grief; he is not merely sad but brokenhearted, tasting the bitterness of denying the One he loves (Psalm 38:18).

• This depth of sorrow proves the Spirit’s convicting work, echoing Zechariah 12:10 where Israel “will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son.”

• Such bitterness, when yielded to God, becomes the soil for future boldness; Peter will later preach fearlessly in Acts 2:14–41.


summary

Luke 22:62 portrays the immediate, wholehearted repentance of Peter after denying Jesus. The swift conjunction “And” roots his response in Christ’s prophetic word, “he went outside” pictures decisive separation from sin, “and” links deed to feeling, “wept” reveals genuine contrition, and “bitterly” underscores the depth of godly sorrow that leads to restoration. The verse assures believers that no failure is final when met with true repentance and the Savior’s gracious gaze.

What is the significance of the Lord's look at Peter in Luke 22:61?
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