What does Luke 22:46 mean?

Matthew 26:38–46 and Mark 14:34–42 describe how Jesus first tells Peter, James, and John to watch over Him. When they fall asleep, He wakes up at least Peter and tells him to pray so he won't fall into temptation. He comes back a second time but doesn't wake them up. At the third time, Judas and the arresting guards are approaching, so He wakes them up and tells them His betrayer is at hand.

The temptation is that they will fall away. That the Sanhedrin will "strike the shepherd" and like sheep, the disciples will scatter (Mark 14:27). Peter has promised he won't; he would rather go to prison or even die for Jesus (Luke 22:33). Jesus told him that's not going to happen: "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me" (Luke 22:34).

All the disciples scatter except Peter and John (Matthew 26:56). John knows the high priest and is confident—or faithful—enough to follow the mob that arrests Jesus and then arrange for Peter to come in (John 18:15–16). We don't know how long John stays or if he witnesses Jesus' trials before Pilate and Herod Antipas, but we know he's at the foot of the cross. He's so close he can hear Jesus tell him to take care of Mary (John 19:25–27).

Peter does not pray. He falls asleep. He has enough bravado to follow John and walk through the high priest's gate, but then he loses his nerve. He realizes he is standing with friends and family members of the servant he attacked with his sword (John 18:10–11, 26). Peter comes to the limit of his natural courage and denies that he knows Jesus (Luke 22:54–62).