Matthew 26:69 kjv
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
Matthew 26:69 nkjv
Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
Matthew 26:69 niv
Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.
Matthew 26:69 esv
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, "You also were with Jesus the Galilean."
Matthew 26:69 nlt
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, "You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean."
Matthew 26 69 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Matt 26:34 | Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this very night...you will deny me three times." | Jesus' prophecy of Peter's denial. |
| Matt 26:70 | But he denied before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying." | Peter's first outright denial. |
| Matt 26:71-72 | And when he was gone out into the porch...he denied again. | Peter's second denial. |
| Matt 26:73-74 | And a little after...Peter began to curse and to swear, saying, "I know not the man." | Peter's third and vehement denial. |
| Mark 14:66-68 | As Peter was below in the courtyard...a servant girl saw him. | Parallel account in Mark. |
| Luke 22:54-57 | Peter was following at a distance...a servant girl saw him. | Parallel account in Luke. |
| John 18:15-18 | Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple... | Parallel account in John, mentions inner courtyard. |
| John 13:38 | Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for me? ...the rooster will not crow till you have denied Me three times." | Another record of Jesus' prophecy. |
| John 21:15-17 | "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?" ...He said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." | Peter's restoration and affirmation. |
| Prov 29:25 | The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. | Principle of human fear leading to compromise. |
| Luke 22:31-32 | "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail." | Jesus' intercession for Peter despite his impending fall. |
| 1 Pet 5:8 | Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion. | Warning against spiritual vulnerability. |
| Heb 12:1-2 | Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...looking to Jesus. | Example of Jesus' endurance in suffering contrasting with Peter's failure. |
| John 1:46 | Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" | Reference to the perceived humble origins from Galilee. |
| Acts 2:7 | "Indeed, are not all these who speak Galileans?" | Identification of the apostles as Galileans, linking Peter's origin. |
| Acts 4:13 | When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. | Peter's later boldness after Pentecost. |
| Matt 10:33 | But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. | Warning against denying Christ. |
| Matt 26:41 | Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. | Relevance to Peter's lack of vigilance. |
| Mark 14:27-31 | "You will all fall away, for it is written..." Peter said to Him, "Even if all fall away, yet I will not." | Peter's prior overconfidence. |
| Phil 3:7-9 | But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ... | Emphasizes the need for grace over self-reliance. |
| 2 Tim 2:12 | If we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us. | The seriousness of denial, yet highlighting restoration possibilities for Peter. |
| 2 Cor 12:9 | But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." | God's grace covering human weakness. |
| Isa 42:2 | He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice... | Prophetic depiction of Jesus' quiet demeanor during trial, contrasting with Peter's noisy denials. |
Matthew 26 verses
Matthew 26 69 Meaning
Matthew 26:69 describes the beginning of Peter’s fulfillment of Jesus’ prophecy regarding his denial. It captures the moment when Peter, having followed Jesus to the high priest's courtyard, is directly identified and accused by a common servant girl as being associated with Jesus of Galilee. This sets the stage for his three-fold denial, exposing his human fear and weakness under pressure.
Matthew 26 69 Context
Matthew chapter 26 chronicles Jesus' final hours before his crucifixion, moving from the prediction of his betrayal, the Last Supper, prayer in Gethsemane, and ultimately his arrest. Verse 69 places Peter immediately after Jesus has been brought before Caiaphas, the High Priest, for a hurried, illicit night trial. While Jesus endures intense questioning and accusations within the inner chambers, Peter remains "without," attempting to observe the proceedings from the high priest's courtyard. This courtyard was a large open area where servants, guards, and curious onlookers gathered, providing a semi-public setting for Peter's temptation. Culturally, association with an accused "criminal" could bring social disgrace or even legal peril, explaining Peter's cautious position and eventual fear-driven denials. The scene highlights Peter’s humanity and vulnerability, contrasting sharply with Jesus’ steadfast resolve inside.
Matthew 26 69 Word analysis
- Now Peter (Ὁ δὲ Πέτρος - Ho de Petros): "Peter," meaning "rock," stands in stark ironic contrast to his instability and subsequent denial in this moment. "Ho de" implies a shift in narrative focus back to Peter.
- sat (ἐκάθητο - ekathēto): Imperfect tense of kathēmai, indicating continuous or ongoing action. Peter wasn't just momentarily there but had settled down, waiting, perhaps in apprehension or observation, in the bustling courtyard.
- without (ἔξω - exō): Signifies outside the inner chamber where Jesus' trial was occurring. Peter maintained a physical distance from the immediate danger, yet he remained on the High Priest’s property, a precarious position.
- in the palace / in the courtyard (ἐν τῇ αὐλῇ - en tē aulē): Aulē refers specifically to the large open courtyard or atrium of a wealthy house or palace. This was not a private, secluded spot, but a semi-public area, increasing the stakes for Peter's identity.
- and a damsel (καὶ προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ μία παιδίσκη - kai prosēlthen autō mia paidiskē): "A damsel" (παιδίσκη - paidiskē) refers to a young female servant or maiden, highlighting the commonness and low social status of Peter's first accuser. It is an ironic contrast to Peter's perceived importance and earlier bravado.
- came unto him (προσῆλθεν αὐτῷ - prosēlthen autō): Implies an intentional approach, not merely a casual observation. She actively singled him out.
- saying (λέγουσα - legousa): Present participle, "saying" or "while saying," indicating the directness of her address.
- Thou also (σὺ καὶ - sy kai): The emphatic "you also" immediately connects Peter to Jesus, suggesting recognition of his prior association or observation of his following with the other disciples. This direct address put Peter on the spot.
- wast with (ἧς μετὰ - ēs meta): Imperfect tense of eimi ("to be"), implying Peter's past and ongoing association with Jesus, not just a fleeting encounter.
- Jesus of Galilee (Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Γαλιλαίου - Iēsou tou Galilaiou): "Of Galilee" acts as a geographical identifier, carrying connotations of Jesus' provincial origin, often perceived by Judeans as unsophisticated or even somewhat inferior (e.g., John 1:46). It might also indicate recognition of Peter's own Galilean accent (Mt 26:73), cementing the association.
Matthew 26 69 Bonus section
The immediate atmosphere in the high priest's courtyard would have been chaotic, filled with hushed whispers, shifting shadows from the charcoal fire, and the murmur of anticipation as Jesus' trial proceeded inside. Peter's attempt to blend in would have been made difficult by the scrutiny of others, especially his distinct Galilean dialect which would later fully betray him (Matthew 26:73). The accusation from the "damsel" (maidservant) suggests that she likely had some familiarity with the comings and goings of Jesus' entourage, perhaps having seen him or other disciples at a previous encounter or in public settings. Her observation points to Peter's noticeable appearance or behavior, perhaps still reeling from the events in Gethsemane, making him stand out in the crowd. This small, seemingly insignificant encounter initiates a profound spiritual crisis for Peter, leading to a personal betrayal of trust and loyalty, paving the way for his eventual humbling and restoration.
Matthew 26 69 Commentary
Matthew 26:69 marks a pivotal moment, portraying Peter's first stumble down the path of denial. His placement "without in the courtyard" signifies both a desire to stay near Jesus and a strategic retreat from direct confrontation. This paradoxical positioning puts him in a dangerous liminal space where he is recognized but unprotected. The simplicity of his accuser – "a damsel," a mere servant girl – highlights the ordinary yet pervasive nature of the threat. It wasn't the powerful Sanhedrin but an observant individual who posed the initial challenge, making the betrayal more stark and relatable. Peter, the "Rock," buckles under the weight of fear and self-preservation, demonstrating the stark contrast between human resolve and the immense pressure of impending persecution. His denial serves as a powerful reminder of human frailty even in the most committed disciple, underscoring Jesus' foreknowledge and the critical need for watchfulness and prayer over self-reliance, which Peter had boldly proclaimed only hours before. It's a somber illustration of how easy it is to succumb to fear when the stakes are highest, despite having previously declared absolute loyalty.