The denial of Christ by Peter is a significant event described in the New Testament of the Bible. This event took place during the final hours before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospels of Matthew (26:69-75), Mark (14:66-72), Luke (22:55-62), and John (18:15-18, 25-27) each provide an account of this incident, with some variations in details but consistent in the core narrative.

The story begins after Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and taken to the high priest's house for questioning. Peter followed at a distance and entered the courtyard of the high priest. As he sat with the guards to see the outcome, a servant girl recognized him as a follower of Jesus. Peter denied knowing Jesus, saying, "I know not what thou sayest" (Matthew 26:70, KJV).
As Peter moved to the porch, another maid saw him and said to those around, "This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth" (Matthew 26:71, KJV). Again, Peter denied it, with an oath, "I do not know the man" (Matthew 26:72, KJV).

A little later, those standing nearby approached Peter and said, "Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee" (Matthew 26:73, KJV). This time, Peter began to curse and swear, insisting, "I know not the man" (Matthew 26:74, KJV). Immediately after Peter's third denial, a rooster crowed, fulfilling Jesus' prediction that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (Matthew 26:34). Peter remembered Jesus' words, and realizing what he had done, he went out and "wept bitterly" (Matthew 26:75, KJV).

This account highlights Peter's human frailty and fear, contrasting sharply with his earlier professions of unwavering loyalty to Jesus. It also serves as a powerful narrative of repentance and forgiveness, as Peter is later restored by Jesus after the resurrection (John 21:15-19), reaffirming his role as a foundational figure in the early Christian church.