Mark 14:31

‘But he spoke exceedingly vehemently, “If I must die with you I will not deny you.” And in a similar manner they all said the same thing.'

There was nothing wrong with their hearts, nor with their intentions. But they had never been in a situation like they were soon to be in. Able and willing to bear hardships they had never had to face the tenseness of uncertainty, the fear of the unknown and the threat of a cruel death when they were also very weary. And they had all heard stories of what happened to those arrested by the Romans. So they confidently and vehemently stated the opposite of what would be true, Peter leading the protests.

From this we can learn that when men fail Jesus they can be assured that there is always a way back, the way of repentance, for He knows our weakness and His love reaches out to us even through our failure.