Matthew 26 33

Matthew 26:33 kjv

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Matthew 26:33 nkjv

Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."

Matthew 26:33 niv

Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."

Matthew 26:33 esv

Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."

Matthew 26:33 nlt

Peter declared, "Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you."

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 33 Meaning

Matthew 26:33 records Peter's zealous yet overconfident assertion of unwavering loyalty to Jesus. In direct response to Jesus' prophecy that all disciples would "fall away" or be scandalized due to His impending arrest and suffering, Peter emphatically declares that he, specifically, would never falter. This statement reveals his fervent devotion mixed with a lack of understanding of his own spiritual fragility and the true nature of the tribulation Jesus was about to face.

Matthew 26 33 Context

Immediately prior to verse 33, Jesus has finished the Last Supper with His disciples and predicted that all of them would "fall away" because of Him, citing the prophecy from Zechariah 13:7 concerning the shepherd being struck and the sheep scattered (Matt 26:31-32). The disciples are on their way to the Mount of Olives. This prophecy is profoundly unsettling for the disciples, who likely held expectations of a triumphant Messiah rather than one who would be arrested and suffer. Peter's outburst in verse 33 is his immediate, passionate reaction to this shocking prophecy, demonstrating his strong personal affection and sense of honor towards Jesus. This exchange sets the stage for the dramatic fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy in Peter's threefold denial later that night (Matt 26:69-75), emphasizing human weakness in the face of immense pressure and divine foreknowledge.

Matthew 26 33 Word analysis

• Peter (Πέτρος, Petros): Meaning "rock." There is a profound irony, as Peter, whom Jesus previously called a "rock" upon which the church would be built (Matt 16:18), here displays profound instability and a foundation of self-reliance that would soon crumble.

• answered (ἀποκριθείς, apokritheis): This term often signifies a formal, deliberate, or significant response, rather than just a casual reply. It indicates that Peter was making a definitive, self-assured declaration to Jesus.

• him (αὐτῷ, autō): Refers directly to Jesus, underscoring the direct challenge Peter implicitly issues to Jesus' divine foreknowledge and His prophecy.

• “Though all fall away (Πάντες σκανδαλισθήσονται, Pantes skandalisthēsontai) because of you (ἐν σοί, en soi):

  • All (Πάντες, Pantes): A strong, absolute term. Peter directly contrasts himself with this universal "all," believing he is an exception.
  • fall away / be scandalized (σκανδαλισθήσονται, skandalisthēsontai): From skandalizo, meaning "to cause to stumble," "to take offense," "to be a snare." It indicates a deep spiritual test that would cause the disciples to waver in their faith, to be tripped up or abandoned due to the challenging circumstances. The passive voice implies they would be made to stumble by the events surrounding Jesus' arrest and suffering.
  • because of you (ἐν σοί, en soi): Lit. "in you." Implies that Jesus Himself, particularly His passion, arrest, and perceived weakness during His trial, would be the direct cause or occasion for their spiritual stumbling. This fundamentally challenged Peter's expectations of a powerful, conquering Messiah.

• I will never fall away (οὐδέποτε σκανδαλισθήσομαι, oudepote skandalisthēsomai):

  • I (ἐγώ, egō): An emphatic first-person pronoun, "I, myself," highlighting Peter's strong personal distinction from the predicted fate of "all" others.
  • will never (οὐδέποτε, oudepote): This is a double negative in Greek, making the negation extremely strong and absolute: "no, not ever," "absolutely never." This intensifies Peter's boast and reveals his supreme overconfidence and denial of the possibility of his own failure.
  • fall away / be scandalized (σκανδαλισθήσομαι, skandalisthēsomai): The same verb as Jesus' prophecy, reiterating Peter's firm belief that he would not succumb to the spiritual crisis that would overwhelm the others.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Peter answered him": This phrase immediately establishes Peter's character: impetuous, quick to speak, and often acting as the spokesman for the disciples. His response is swift and declarative.
  • "Though all fall away... I will never fall away": This dramatic juxtaposition underscores Peter's inflated self-perception compared to his peers. He implicitly presents himself as superior in loyalty and strength, seeing himself as exempt from the general fate. This sets up a classic case of pride preceding a fall, directly contrasting human boast with divine knowledge and prediction. The repetition of "fall away" ("scandalized") heightens the dramatic irony, as Peter is specifically addressing the exact outcome he will personally and profoundly experience.
  • "fall away because of you": This highlights the profound theological crisis for the disciples. Their faith was not to be challenged by external persecution alone, but by the very events surrounding Jesus' identity and mission – His perceived weakness, arrest, and suffering. It suggests a test of their understanding of Messianic suffering, not merely a test of their physical courage.

Matthew 26 33 Bonus section

• This verse significantly contributes to the character development of Peter throughout the Gospels and Acts. His overconfidence here starkly contrasts with his humble submission and dependence on the Holy Spirit seen in his post-Pentecost ministry.
• The incident highlights the difference between an intellectual or emotional pledge of loyalty and a deeply forged, tested faith that endures through profound crisis. Peter had the former but lacked the latter in this moment.
• Jesus, as the Good Shepherd (Jn 10:11), already knew His sheep would scatter. Yet, He lovingly pursued them after His resurrection and patiently restored them to ministry, confirming His unwavering shepherd heart even in the face of their initial failings.

Matthew 26 33 Commentary

Peter's declaration in Matthew 26:33 serves as a pivotal moment, exposing the raw human tendency towards overconfidence and self-reliance, even within deep devotion. Despite his genuine love and zealous commitment to Jesus, Peter's understanding of his own spiritual capacity was severely flawed. His emphatic "never" directly contradicted Jesus' divine foreknowledge, setting the stage for his subsequent dramatic denials. This episode is not merely a record of Peter's failure, but a profound lesson for all believers: genuine loyalty and steadfastness must be rooted not in personal strength or self-assurance, but in humility and complete dependence on God's grace. It illustrates that fervent spiritual zeal, when unchastened by self-knowledge and untested by trials, can quickly falter. The path to true strength often begins with a recognition of one's inherent weakness, paving the way for God's power to be made perfect in us (2 Cor 12:9-10).