Matthew 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
Just as Jesus was tempted three times in the desert, just so Peter is being tempted three times, but this third time, the devil is going for the jugular, not by merely asking Peter a question, but by confirming in public, what Peter really prefers to keep quiet. The devil then goes to the sound room, and tells the sound engineer to turn up the volume to its loudest so that everyone could hear.
Multiple rounds were fired by satan, because he is a relentless foe, and therefore, if we intend to live and conquer as Jesus did, we must be reconciled to the fact that we might be the target of multiple assaults from the enemy of souls, some by flattery and some by heckling, among other devices.
Jesus suffered his first three bouts in the wilderness, back-to-back, as did Job, and many other heroes of faith who have gone before, but in all and through it all Jesus stood His ground albeit courteously, quietly and very firmly. The love of praise, and the love of popularity will in many cases prove the ruin of some, who have never become accustomed to swimming upstream with Christ. One day soon it will be very unpopular to be a Christian, let alone a Seventh Day Adventist, in the true meaning of the name.
Matthew 26:73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, certainly, you are one of them; for thy speech betrays thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!