Note 1 at Lk. 22:59: Peter's three denials of our Lord took place in the palace of the high priest during the religious trial of Jesus (Mt. 26:69; Mk. 14:66; Jn. 18:15-16). Three out of the four gospel writers group the denials together for the purpose of clarity (see note 1 at Lk. 22:54, below), but it is clear that they did not occur in rapid succession. This verse even states that it was about an hour's time between Peter's second and third denials.

Note 2 at Lk. 22:59: This is the culmination of Peter's denial. There were actually three steps in Peter denying the Lord. First, as mentioned in note 6 at Mark 14:37, page 448, Peter's denial actually began with his failure to pray with Jesus in the garden. Next, Peter followed Jesus "afar off" (Mt. 26:58; Mk. 14:54; Lk. 22:54) and then, Peter started keeping company with the wrong crowd (see note 4 at Jn. 18:18, below). Sin has to be conceived. It doesn't just "happen" (see note 7 at Mk. 14:38, p. 448).