In a book entitled simply, Saint Peter, historian Michael Grant devotes an entire chapter to Peter's weaknesses. Throughout the gospel narratives Peter shows an incredible lack of comprehension as to who Jesus was and what he was all about. And while none of the disciples come across as exemplary faith models, Grant argues that Peter is portrayed in a particularly unfavorable light.

Peter is censured by Paul as having misunderstood who Jesus was and what he was trying to accomplish. In moments of confusion and…