Matthew 26 74

Matthew 26:74 kjv

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Matthew 26:74 nkjv

Then he began to curse and swear, saying, "I do not know the Man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

Matthew 26:74 niv

Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!" Immediately a rooster crowed.

Matthew 26:74 esv

Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, "I do not know the man." And immediately the rooster crowed.

Matthew 26:74 nlt

Peter swore, "A curse on me if I'm lying ? I don't know the man!" And immediately the rooster crowed.

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 74 Meaning

Matthew 26:74 describes Peter's third and final denial of Jesus, intensified by his use of cursing and swearing, immediately before the rooster crowed, signaling the direct fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. This climactic moment reveals Peter's fear and the profound depth of his renunciation of Christ, severing his connection to Jesus publicly and emphatically.

Matthew 26 74 Context

This verse is the culmination of Peter's three denials of Jesus, occurring in the courtyard of the High Priest Caiaphas, following Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. After boldly declaring he would never deny Jesus (Matt 26:33-35) and even drawing a sword in Gethsemane, Peter follows Jesus "at a distance" (Matt 26:58). As Jesus undergoes a sham trial inside, Peter is exposed to escalating scrutiny outside, culminating in this final, forceful denial. The setting of the courtyard fire offered warmth but also exposed Peter to the identification of others by his speech. Historically, Galilean accents were distinct and often a source of derision among Judeans. The High Priest's house represented religious authority and opposition to Jesus, and Peter's presence there, albeit hidden, put him under immense psychological pressure. The denials themselves, fortified by oaths and curses, serve as a stark contrast to Peter's earlier vows of unwavering loyalty and highlight the profound human frailty in the face of fear.

Matthew 26 74 Word analysis

• Then he began (τότε ἤρξατο – tote ērxato): "Tote" (then) marks a sequence, indicating a specific point in time, emphasizing the direct consequence of the escalating accusations. "Ērxato" (began) implies an intentional act that initiated a course of action. It suggests a conscious shift or a final yielding to pressure.

• to curse (καταθεματίζειν – katathematizein): This is a strong Greek verb, implying calling down curses upon himself, swearing by divine judgment to assert his innocence. It's an intensified form of "anathema" or "curse," effectively stating, "May God condemn me if I am lying." This was a desperate attempt to appear entirely detached from Jesus, demonstrating profound fear and a willingness to commit blasphemy to save himself. It distances him utterly from his Master.

• and to swear (καὶ ὀμνύειν – kai omnyein): This refers to taking an oath, invoking the name of God or something sacred to affirm the truth of what he was saying. While not necessarily a "bad" thing in itself (people swore oaths in court or covenants), in this context, it was used falsely and hypocritically to deny the truth about Jesus, thereby profaning a solemn act. Peter binds himself with an oath, highlighting the seriousness and falsity of his denial.

• "I do not know the man." (Οὐκ οἶδα τὸν ἄνθρωπον – Ouk oida ton anthrōpon): "Ouk" is a strong negation. "Oida" means "to know" not just factually, but intimately, as in relationship. Peter isn't just saying he hasn't met Jesus; he's emphatically denying any connection or relationship. "Ton anthrōpon" (the man) refers to Jesus, ironically diminishing His divine status to just "a man." This phrase stands in stark contrast to Peter's previous declarations of loyal devotion, and it is a complete disavowal of his discipleship and personal knowledge of Jesus.

• And immediately (Καὶ εὐθέως – Kai eutheōs): This word signifies immediacy and swiftness, indicating that Jesus' prophecy was fulfilled without delay, the very moment Peter's denial reached its climax. It emphasizes the direct and undeniable nature of divine truth and prophetic fulfillment.

• the rooster crowed (ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν – alektōr ephōnēsen): The sound of the rooster serves as an audible sign, an undeniable, immediate, and direct fulfillment of Jesus' prior words (Matt 26:34). It wasn't just a random natural occurrence; for Peter, it was a precise, painful echo of the Lord's prophetic warning. In ancient cities, roosters served as timekeepers, often crowing at dawn, marking the completion of a watch (the "cock-crowing" watch, 3-6 AM).

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Then he began to curse and to swear": This phrase depicts Peter's extreme desperation to appear unconnected to Jesus. The intensity of his language reflects a person consumed by fear, willing to use the most vehement forms of denial, invoking self-malediction and sacrilege, to save himself from potential association with a condemned man. It shows the depth of human weakness and how quickly even the most ardent follower can fall when trust in self outweighs trust in God.
  • "I do not know the man.": This denial, delivered with curses and oaths, is the ultimate public rejection of Jesus. It is a total erasure of their shared history, intimacy, and the identity Peter found as a disciple. This direct address, "the man," objectifies Jesus, further distancing Peter from any personal tie, thereby making his betrayal profoundly hurtful.
  • "And immediately the rooster crowed": The immediate crowing is not merely coincidental but miraculous in its timing and precision. It acts as an auditory divine counter-sign to Peter's blasphemous denial. It signals the complete and literal fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy (Matt 26:34), serving as an abrupt, piercing, and unavoidable wake-up call to Peter, crashing into his denial with the reality of Jesus' divine foresight and ultimate authority even in his perceived weakness.

Matthew 26 74 Bonus section

The precise timing of the rooster's crow in the accounts varies slightly (some versions refer to the crowing twice), yet the consistent message across all Gospels is the immediate and prophetic nature of its sound as the culmination of Peter's denial. The "cock-crow" (alektorphonia) was a known watch period (around 3 AM), not just the random crowing of a bird. For Peter, this was a moment of deep personal shame, which likely shaped his humility and reliance on grace for the rest of his life, preparing him to be a foundational leader for the early church. His subsequent deep sorrow and weeping (Matt 26:75) confirm his immediate regret and awareness of his betrayal, laying the groundwork for his restoration by Jesus (Jn 21:15-19).

Matthew 26 74 Commentary

Matthew 26:74 encapsulates Peter's moment of greatest spiritual failure. His thrice-repeated denial, escalating in intensity from simple negation to denial with an oath, and finally with cursing and self-malediction, reveals the devastating impact of fear on human resolve. Despite Peter's sincere declarations of loyalty, his overconfidence gave way under pressure, proving the profound truth of Jesus' warning regarding Peter's susceptibility. The immediate crowing of the rooster is not merely a coincidentally timed sound; it serves as God's prophetic alarm, a clear and undeniable sign to Peter that Jesus’ word had come to pass precisely as foretold. This instant fulfillment is crucial: it shows Jesus' complete foreknowledge and control, even amidst his suffering, and serves as a powerful instrument for Peter's painful self-awareness and eventual repentance, leading him to weeping (Matt 26:75). It underscores that human weakness and failure, however severe, do not invalidate God's sovereign plan or His prophetic truth. This episode is a potent reminder of our human vulnerability to sin and the constant need for humility and reliance on Christ's strength.