Matthew 26 72

Matthew 26:72 kjv

And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Matthew 26:72 nkjv

But again he denied with an oath, "I do not know the Man!"

Matthew 26:72 niv

He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"

Matthew 26:72 esv

And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man."

Matthew 26:72 nlt

Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. "I don't even know the man," he said.

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 72 Meaning

Matthew 26:72 describes the second time Peter denied knowing Jesus. Under pressure from another servant girl and those standing by, Peter escalated his previous falsehood by explicitly swearing an oath that he did not know "the man," meaning Jesus. This marked a deeper betrayal, moving beyond a simple verbal denial to an official, God-invoking repudiation of his relationship with Christ, demonstrating his intense fear overcoming his faithfulness.

Matthew 26 72 Context

This verse is situated during Jesus' illegal trial before the Sanhedrin after His arrest in Gethsemane. While Jesus, the "Lamb of God," silently endured false accusations and physical abuse inside the high priest's courtyard (Mt 26:57-68), His disciple Peter sat outside, "warming himself" (Jn 18:18). Peter had vowed earlier to Jesus that he would never deny Him, even to death (Mt 26:35). The first denial came from a servant girl who recognized him. Here, another girl spots him and, along with other bystanders, identifies him as one of Jesus' followers. Peter's second denial escalates both in directness and severity, employing an oath, as he felt increasing pressure from the crowd. This denial happens within a sequence of three, all occurring before the rooster crows, exactly as Jesus prophesied. The events highlight Peter's human weakness, susceptible to fear and self-preservation, in stark contrast to Jesus' resolute obedience to His Father's will.

Matthew 26 72 Word analysis

• And again (καὶ πάλιν - kai palin):
  • καὶ (kai): "And, also, even, indeed". Connects this denial to the previous one, showing a continuation or repetition of action.
  • πάλιν (palin): "Again, once more, back again". Signifies a repeated action, indicating that Peter's denial was not a one-off mistake but a sustained and worsening act under mounting pressure. This progression highlights Peter's increasingly entrenched commitment to his falsehood.
• he denied (ἠρνήσατο - ērnēsato):
  • From the verb ἀρνέομαι (arneomai), meaning "to refuse, reject, repudiate, disclaim, contradict, disown".
  • The aorist indicative middle/passive voice indicates a completed action in the past, with the subject participating in or receiving the action. Here, it is active in sense, emphasizing Peter's direct choice.
  • This is a strong term for disowning someone completely, implying a conscious decision to separate himself from Jesus. It’s not just "not agreeing" but actively saying "I don't belong with that person."
• with an oath (μετὰ ὅρκου - meta horkou):
  • μετὰ (meta): "With, along with, in the midst of". Indicates accompaniment or manner.
  • ὅρκου (horkou): From ὅρκος (horkos), meaning "an oath, a solemn affirmation, a sworn statement".
  • This phrase significantly heightens the gravity of Peter's lie. An oath invoked divine authority as a witness to the truth of one's statement. By swearing a false oath, Peter committed a direct sin against God's command (Lev 19:12) and Jesus' explicit teaching against taking oaths (Mt 5:33-37; Jas 5:12). This shows Peter's desperation and willingness to transgress sacred laws for self-preservation, compounding his betrayal.
• 'I do not know the man' (Οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον - Ouk oida ton anthrōpon):
  • Οὐκ (Ouk): A strong, direct negative particle meaning "no, not at all". It renders the denial absolute and unqualified.
  • οἶδα (oida): "I know, I perceive, I have come to know, I understand". This is not merely intellectual knowledge but also refers to experiential and intimate knowledge. Peter intimately knew Jesus as his Lord, Master, and friend. This statement is a bald-faced lie, a total repudiation of their shared life and his role as a disciple.
  • τὸν ἄνθρωπον (ton anthrōpon): "The man".
    • τὸν (ton): The definite article "the", specifying "this particular man".
    • ἄνθρωπον (anthrōpon): "Man, human being". By referring to Jesus as "the man," Peter reduces Him to an ordinary stranger, deliberately stripping Him of any special title (Rabbi, Lord, Christ, Son of God). This distancing phrase expresses a complete breaking of allegiance and intimacy, contrasting sharply with Peter’s previous confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Mt 16:16). It served to convince his interrogators he was unconnected, effectively denying his own calling and personal relationship.

Matthew 26 72 Bonus section

• The Power of Temptation: This verse illustrates how rapidly and intensely temptation can escalate. Peter’s initial vague denial (Mt 26:70) swiftly progresses to a direct, oath-bound rejection, demonstrating the perilous nature of compromising with sin, even seemingly small ones, which can lead to deeper falls.
• Irony of Circumstance: At the very moment Peter was denying knowing Jesus outside, Jesus was inside the high priest's palace acknowledging His divine identity and Messiahship, confessing "I am" before the Sanhedrin (Mk 14:62; Lk 22:70). This contrast underscores the radical difference in courage and fidelity between the Lord and His disciple.
• Divine Foreknowledge vs. Free Will: Jesus' prophecy of Peter's denial (Mt 26:34) highlights divine foreknowledge not as predetermination, but as perfect understanding of future choices. Peter was still morally accountable for his actions despite the prophecy.
• Path to Repentance: Though Peter's denial was profound, it set the stage for a profound and immediate repentance (Mt 26:75), a vital part of Peter’s spiritual journey. His raw, weeping sorrow after the cock crowed demonstrates his contrite heart, a necessary step before his ultimate restoration and subsequent powerful leadership. This narrative reassures believers that even significant failures can lead to deeper understanding and renewed commitment through repentance and grace.

Matthew 26 72 Commentary

Matthew 26:72 captures Peter's deepening descent into fear-driven disloyalty, moving beyond simple denial to a public oath, a grave transgression. This moment highlights the fragility of even the most fervent faith under extreme duress, revealing the sharp contrast between human resolve and divine strength. Peter’s explicit repudiation, "I do not know the man," severed his spiritual and personal ties to Jesus in that fearful moment, effectively dehumanizing Christ and nullifying his own discipleship. This painful failure served as a powerful lesson for Peter, shaping his subsequent humility and, following his restoration, empowering his bold future testimony, having experienced the grace needed after a monumental fall.

• Practical Examples:
  • A Christian student denying their faith to fit in with a peer group, echoing Peter's fear of social isolation.
  • An employee remaining silent when Christian principles are challenged in the workplace, for fear of career repercussions.
  • Someone publicly claiming no connection to the church or Christ when facing ridicule or discomfort.