This study uses early Jewish sources to analyze the significance of Day of Atonement and High Priest imagery in the narrative of Simon Peter’s threefold denial of Jesus. It then describes the influence of other early Jewish sources on Jesus’ commissioning his main disciple Simon Peter as his own successor in John 21:15-19. Aus relates this event to Moses’ commissioning his main disciple Joshua as his successor.

"The great benefit of Aus’s work . . . is that it opens up perspectives too frequently neglected and so provides a rich resource for future investigation both of these passages and of the passion narrative as a whole." - Catholic Biblical Quarterly