Where did this encounter take place?

The Gospels give no precise indication of the place where the risen Jesus met Peter. We are therefore reduced to conjecture. However, a few clues allow us to propose some plausible scenarios.

1. Probably in Jerusalem or its immediate surroundings

The appearance seems to have taken place on the very day of the resurrection, before the return of the Emmaus disciples and before the evening appearance to the apostles gathered together (Luke 24.33-36 ; John 20.19). Peter was then in Jerusalem.

It is therefore likely that this encounter took place:

• in the city itself;
• or in its immediate surroundings;
• perhaps on the way back after his visit to the tomb (Luke 24.12).

2. After the visit to the tomb?

According to Luke, Peter had run to the tomb and had gone away “marveling at what had happened” (Luke 24.12).

Several commentators have supposed that Jesus appeared to him shortly after this visit, while he was still alone. This hypothesis has several advantages:

• Peter is alone;
• he is deeply shaken by his threefold denial;
• Jesus can meet him in an intimate setting before he rejoins the other disciples.

However, the text does not state this explicitly.

3. In the house where the disciples were staying?

Some exegetes have imagined that Peter momentarily left the other disciples and that Jesus appeared to him in a house or an inner courtyard in Jerusalem. But this hypothesis remains purely conjectural.

4. A deliberately discreet encounter

The fact that the Gospels give no details may be significant. It is as if the authors wished to respect the deeply personal nature of this meeting.

Peter had just:

• denied his Master three times (Luke 22.54-62);
• wept bitterly (Matthew 26.75);
• been the object of a particular promise from Jesus (Luke 22.31-32).

It is therefore possible that the Risen One sought out his disciple in a secluded place, away from prying eyes, in order to raise him up before his return among the other apostles.

An interesting hypothesis

If we adopt the following order:

1. appearance to the women (Matthew 28.9-10);
2. private appearance to Peter (Luke 24.34 ; 1 Corinthians 15.5);
3. appearance to the Emmaus disciples (Luke 24.13-32);
4. appearance to the apostles in the evening (Luke 24.36-49 ; John 20.19-23);

then it is conceivable that Peter left Jerusalem for a few hours, crushed by his failure, and that Jesus came to meet him on a road or in a solitary place. This scene would present a remarkable parallel with that of Mary Magdalene, also met alone by the Risen One (John 20.14-18).

Ultimately, the exact place is unknown to us. This silence of Scripture may itself have theological value: what mattered was not to know where this encounter took place, but to show that the risen Lord personally went in search of the one who had denied him in order to restore him to his mission. Later, this restoration will be made public on the shore of Lake Tiberias — show definition INF087 (John 21.15-19).