Matthew 26 71

Matthew 26:71 kjv

And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

Matthew 26:71 nkjv

And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, "This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth."

Matthew 26:71 niv

Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, "This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

Matthew 26:71 esv

And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."

Matthew 26:71 nlt

Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. "

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 71 Meaning

Matthew 26:71 describes the second instance of Peter's denial of Jesus. As Peter sought to remove himself from the immediate crowd near the fire, moving towards the gate area of the courtyard, another servant girl observed him. She then openly declared to those present that Peter was also associated with Jesus, specifically identifying Him as "Jesus of Nazareth," thus increasing the public pressure and directness of the accusation against Peter.

Matthew 26 71 Context

Matthew 26:71 is situated within the narrative of Jesus' arrest, trial before the Sanhedrin, and Peter's denials. Following Jesus "at a distance" into the high priest's courtyard (Mt 26:58), Peter sought to blend in among the servants and guards. The first denial (Mt 26:69-70) occurred when a maid identified him by the fire. Feeling the heat of this initial accusation and perhaps seeking to avoid further scrutiny, Peter moved away into the gateway area, thinking he might escape detection. However, this second accusation, delivered by another servant girl to a wider group of bystanders, marked an escalation in the public nature of his compromised loyalty and intensified the pressure on him. This incident occurs directly parallel to Jesus' ongoing unjust trial, where He maintained silence and courage.

Matthew 26 71 Word analysis

• And when he was gone out:

  • Greek: Exelthonta (ἐξελθόντα), an aorist participle, denoting completion of the action "having gone out."
  • Significance: Indicates a physical movement from one spot to another. Peter moved away from the main group by the fire where the first accusation took place. This move might have been an attempt to escape recognition or find a less exposed position. It highlights Peter's psychological response to the first challenge: withdrawal rather than steadfastness.

• into the porch:

  • Greek: Eis ton pylōna (εἰς τὸν πυλῶνα). Pylon refers to a gate, gatehouse, or porch/vestibule area leading into a courtyard or building.
  • Significance: This was a public threshold area, still exposed to observation, unlike an inner chamber. Peter did not escape but simply changed his immediate environment, ironically moving into a place of another accusation. The space signifies his limited success in retreating from danger.

• another maid:

  • Greek: Allē paidiskē (ἄλλη παιδίσκη). Paidiskē refers to a young female servant, often of lower social status.
  • Significance: The use of "another" clearly distinguishes her from the first maid in Matthew 26:69. Her identity as a common servant underscores how Jesus' association permeated even the lowest ranks of society. Her status doesn't diminish the impact of her recognition.

• saw him:

  • Greek: Eiden (εἶδεν), a strong aorist form of "to see," implying direct perception and recognition.
  • Significance: She actively noticed and identified him. It wasn't a casual glance, but an observant look that linked him to his earlier location or known affiliation.

• and said unto them that were there:

  • Significance: The accusation was made publicly, not privately to Peter. This amplifies the pressure on him. He is not just caught but his connection is broadcasted to an audience, which validates her claim and forces Peter to respond in front of witnesses.

• This fellow:

  • Greek: Houtos (οὗτος), meaning "this one" or "this person."
  • Significance: A demonstrative pronoun that can carry a slightly dismissive or pointed tone, effectively pointing him out directly and singling him from the crowd.

• was also with Jesus of Nazareth:

  • Greek: ēn meta Iēsou tou Nazōraiou (ἦν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου).
  • was also with: The "also" (kai) implies he was not the only one associated, or that his presence there, connected to Jesus, was consistent with previous sightings. It underscores his perceived strong connection to Jesus.
  • Jesus of Nazareth: This appellation serves multiple purposes. "Nazareth" indicates Jesus' Galilean origin, a region often viewed with contempt by Judeans (cf. Jn 1:46). At this time, it also carried the stigma of a condemned or revolutionary figure, intensifying the risk of association. The maid accurately labels Jesus as He was widely known, associating Peter with a contentious and soon-to-be crucified figure. This specific naming makes the denial all the more significant.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "When he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him": This phrase details Peter's unsuccessful attempt at self-preservation. Moving to a different spot did not provide security, demonstrating that escaping human observation in a public, charged environment was difficult. The new accuser shows the pervasive nature of recognition.
  • "and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth": This highlights the public and direct nature of the second accusation. It escalates from Peter's internal denial (or murmuring it under his breath in verse 70) to an overt proclamation to multiple people, amplifying the danger and setting the stage for Peter's next, more intense denial involving an oath. The explicit reference to "Jesus of Nazareth" connects Peter directly to the condemned man, enhancing the charge.

Matthew 26 71 Bonus section

• The detail of "the porch" or gateway area signifies a transitional, often public, space, which makes the repeated identification by a servant fitting. These areas were common places for people to linger and observe.
• The fact that it is a different maid suggests the extent to which Peter's presence with Jesus might have been noticed previously in Capernaum or during Jesus' public ministry in general, or that the servants recognized familiar faces coming and going from the High Priest's palace.
• Peter's denials, occurring concurrently with Jesus' trials, present a profound theological contrast: Jesus stands resolute in confession before the authorities, while Peter, His chief disciple, falters and denies Him before common servants. This juxtaposition highlights human weakness against divine steadfastness and humility.
• The mention of "Nazareth" specifically would have been understood by Jewish audiences as emphasizing Jesus' humble, Galilean roots, and potentially associating Him with perceived backwardness or provincialism, intensifying the negative implication for anyone associated with Him during this period of trial.

Matthew 26 71 Commentary

Matthew 26:71 succinctly captures Peter's spiraling descent into denial. Having just denied knowing Jesus to one maid, he seeks respite by moving from the fireside into the gateway. Yet, this spatial shift proves futile as another servant girl, acutely observing, publicly links him to "Jesus of Nazareth." The new accuser's vocalization to a group amplifies the pressure, pushing Peter from an ambiguous retort to a more direct, yet still escalating, denial. This verse underscores the pervasive recognition of Jesus' followers and the immense personal cost of discipleship during persecution, contrasting sharply with Jesus' unwavering resolve during His own interrogation occurring simultaneously. It portrays Peter's understandable human fear overwhelming his prior fervent vows of loyalty, showcasing the critical nature of vigilance and reliance on divine strength in times of spiritual trial.