Matthew 26:70

But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Peter might have thought that he was wanted by the authorities for his attack on Malchus; he was frustrated and embarrassed because his plan to attend the meeting incognito had failed, and he had suffered massive psychological shock during the earlier hours of that momentous night. In view of all this, how remarkable it is that none of the gospels offered any extenuation of Peter's lapse. Whatever the reasons or temptations, they were considered subordinate to the sad facts of the denial itself. Since the inspired writers held that view, all others should concur.