Matthew 26 73

Matthew 26:73 kjv

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Matthew 26:73 nkjv

And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you."

Matthew 26:73 niv

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away."

Matthew 26:73 esv

After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you."

Matthew 26:73 nlt

A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, "You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent."

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 73 Meaning

This verse details the third and final denial of Peter, where his Galilean accent unmistakably identifies him as a follower of Jesus, despite his efforts to conceal his association. The bystanders, after a short interval, directly confront Peter, affirming his identity with Jesus' disciples because his distinctive manner of speech exposed his origin. This moment fulfilled Jesus' prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed.

Matthew 26 73 Context

Matthew 26:73 occurs in the intense hours following Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. After being led to the high priest Caiaphas's courtyard, Jesus faces an illegal trial by the Sanhedrin. Peter, drawn by a mixture of curiosity, loyalty, and perhaps a flicker of defiance, follows at a distance and manages to gain entry into the courtyard, mingling with the servants and officers gathered around a fire. The events of this verse represent Peter's third and final denial of his association with Jesus, as specifically foretold by Jesus Himself (Matt 26:34). It follows two earlier denials prompted by a maid and then a group of bystanders. This final accusation, driven by the distinct nature of Peter's Galilean accent, seals his denial just as the cock crows.

Matthew 26 73 Word analysis

• And after a little while: (Greek: kai meta mikron) – "Little while" indicates a brief period had elapsed since the second denial. It emphasizes the sequential, almost relentless nature of Peter's trials, giving him little time to compose himself. This timeframe underscores the immediate fulfillment of prophecy.
• came unto him: The bystanders specifically approached Peter, suggesting direct confrontation and a focused accusation.
• they that stood by: (Greek: hoi hestōtes) – Refers to the people present in the courtyard, likely servants and guards of the High Priest, curious about the proceedings. Their collective accusation carries more weight than a single maid's. They represent a general public sentiment that identified followers of Jesus.
• said to Peter: A direct address, no longer an indirect observation. This marks the culmination of the questioning.
• Surely: (Greek: alēthōs – truly, certainly) – An emphatic declaration. It conveys strong conviction and certainty from the accusers. They are no longer merely suspicious but assured of Peter's connection.
• thou also art one of them: Directly accuses Peter of belonging to Jesus' group, highlighting his solidarity with the condemned Christ. The "also" implies a broader understanding that there were multiple disciples associated with Jesus.
• for thy speech betrayeth thee: (Greek: hē lalia sou dēlon se poiei) – This is the crux of the accusation.
  • thy speech: (Greek: hē lalia sou) – Refers to Peter's accent or manner of speaking, specifically his Galilean dialect of Aramaic. Galileans were known to have a distinct accent compared to Judeans, often characterized by dropping or mispronouncing guttural sounds and other phonetic differences. This accent immediately gave away their regional origin to any local inhabitant of Jerusalem.
  • betrayeth thee: (Greek: dēlon se poiei – "makes you clear" or "reveals you") – It does not imply an act of treachery by the speech itself but rather that the speech exposed or made evident Peter's true identity and origin. Despite his verbal denials, his accent was an unalterable linguistic marker.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And after a little while came unto him they that stood by": This phrase highlights the persistent pressure Peter was under. It wasn't an isolated incident but a continuation of the intense scrutiny, giving him little respite from the fear that drove his actions.
• "said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them": This represents a direct, unequivocal accusation, removing any ambiguity. The use of "surely" indicates the accusers' conviction based on empirical evidence, leading directly to Peter's exposed identity.
• "for thy speech betrayeth thee": This is the core reason for the identification. It points to an involuntary revelation of identity through a regional linguistic marker. It underlines the inescapable nature of one's background and connection, even when one tries desperately to hide it. This serves as a divine orchestration that ensured the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy.

Matthew 26 73 Bonus section

The event of Peter's Galilean accent exposing him resonates deeply with the principle that one's true allegiance and identity cannot be hidden indefinitely. Despite attempts to blend in or deny a connection, aspects of one's character, conduct, or even inherent background can inadvertently reveal the truth. This mirrors how Christian identity, when genuinely present, often shines through in actions, words, and even demeanor, sometimes inviting scrutiny or opposition from the world. The specificity of the "speech betraying" Peter further highlights the vulnerability of believers in hostile environments, where seemingly small details can lead to significant consequences, emphasizing the importance of unwavering faith and boldness for Christ.

Matthew 26 73 Commentary

Matthew 26:73 marks the chilling climax of Peter's triple denial, serving as a powerful and poignant illustration of human weakness and the precise fulfillment of prophecy. In this highly charged moment in the courtyard of the High Priest, Peter's efforts to disguise his identity as a disciple of Jesus fail due to an unforeseen element: his native Galilean accent. The Galilean dialect, distinct from the Judean dialect spoken in Jerusalem, was easily recognizable and became an undeniable linguistic marker. Despite his fervent assertions to die with Jesus, Peter, gripped by fear and concern for his own safety, publicly disavowed his Lord. The crowd's declaration, "thy speech betrayeth thee," is profoundly ironic; what Peter used to communicate his denial was simultaneously the very thing that revealed his truth. This moment of exposure, coming just before the rooster crows (as described in the verses that immediately follow), demonstrates the absolute sovereignty of God, as Jesus' foreknowledge of Peter's precise failures comes to pass. It is a stark reminder that outward expressions cannot always conceal inner realities or divine purpose. The subsequent bitter weeping of Peter underscores the devastating impact of his failure and prepares the ground for his eventual, gracious restoration.