Weakness And The Disciples

Futurae quoque eos infirmitatis admonuit, et nocte eadem omnes metu atque infidelitate turbandos. Cujus rei fides etiam auctoritate prophetiae veteris continebatur, percusso pastore oves esse spargendas: se tamen regurgentem in Galilaeam praecessurum esse, ut infirmitatem eorum sponsione reditus sui consolatetur. Sed Petrus pro fidei suae calore respondit, caeteris licet scandalizantibus, numquam se scandlizaturum. In tantum enim et affectu et charitate Christi efferebatur, ut et imbecillitatem carnis suae, et fidem verborum Domini non contueretur: quasi vero dicta ejus efficienda non essent. Cui ait: Priusquam gallus cantet, ter me negabis. Sed tam ille, quam caeteri ne mortis quidem metu decessuros se de confessione nominis sui polliceatur: ad omnem enim se ministerii constantiam, intrepida fidei voluntate firmaverant. Sanctus Hilarius Pictaviensis, In Evangelium Matthaei Commentarius, Cap XXX Source: Migne PL 9.1065

The Lord also warned the disciples about their future weakness, that on the same night they all would be confounded by fear and loss of faith. The certainty of this is confirmed by the authority of the old prophecy, 'Strike the shepherd and the sheep are scattered.' 1 Nevertheless He said that when He had risen He would go before them into Galilee, that the promise of His return might console them in their weakness. But Peter responded hotly in defence of his faith, that even if the others be scandalised, he would never be one to be scandalised. For by his great affection and love for Christ he was carried away so much that he did not mark the feebleness of his flesh and the certainty of the words of the Lord, and indeed what Peter said would not come to be. He to whom the Lord said, 'Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.' 2 Then like Peter, the others promised that they would never abandon the confession of His name for fear of death. Yes, in full confidence of their ability, by the fearless will of their faith, they strengthened themselves.   Saint Hilary of Poitiers, from the Commentary On The Gospel of Saint Matthew, Chapter 30 1 Mt 26.31 2 Mt 26.34