Matthew 26 75

Matthew 26:75 kjv

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:75 nkjv

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." So he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:75 niv

Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:75 esv

And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly.

Matthew 26:75 nlt

Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he went away, weeping bitterly.

Matthew 26 verses

Matthew 26 75 Meaning

Matthew 26:75 describes the immediate and profound consequence of Peter's third denial of Jesus. As the cock crowed, Peter vividly recalled Jesus' prophecy about his impending three-fold denial before that very event. This realization brought an overwhelming conviction of his sin and betrayal, causing him to leave the courtyard and weep with deep, agonizing sorrow, marking a pivotal moment of brokenness and repentance in his spiritual journey.

Matthew 26 75 Context

Matthew chapter 26 chronicles the dramatic final hours leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. It includes the Passover preparations, the Last Supper, Jesus' agony in Gethsemane, His betrayal by Judas, His arrest, and His subsequent trial before the Sanhedrin under Caiaphas, the High Priest. While Jesus is being falsely accused and condemned inside, Peter, who had earlier boldly vowed never to deny Jesus (Mat 26:33, 35), finds himself warming himself by a fire in the High Priest's courtyard. Surrounded by strangers, he succumbs to fear and denies knowing Jesus three distinct times. Verse 75 immediately follows Peter's final denial, signifying the climactic moment of his failure and the direct fulfillment of Jesus' earlier prophecy. Historically, the setting in the High Priest's palace signifies a center of Jewish religious authority and pressure, a hostile environment for any associate of Jesus.

Matthew 26 75 Word analysis

• And Peter remembered (Καὶ ἀνεμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος, Kai anemnesthe ho Petros):

  • ἀνεμνήσθη (anemnesthe): From anamimnesko, meaning to recall, bring to remembrance, or cause to remember. This implies a powerful, vivid, and sudden recollection, not a slow realization. The memory was thrust upon him by the crowing cock, triggered externally but awakening an internal truth.
  • Significance: Highlights the active power of Jesus' prophetic word coming to full awareness in Peter's mind at the precise moment of its fulfillment.

• the word of Jesus (τοῦ ῥήματος Ἰησοῦ, tou rhēmatos Iēsou):

  • ῥήματος (rhēmatos): Refers to a specific spoken word or utterance, a distinct statement, rather than logos which can be broader in meaning (reason, principle).
  • Significance: It was a clear, direct, and personal prophecy spoken by Jesus to Peter. Its truth was undeniable as it unfolded.

• which said unto him (οὗ εἶπεν αὐτῷ, hou eipen autō):

  • Significance: Emphasizes the personal nature of the prophecy directed specifically at Peter.

• Before the cock crow (Πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι, Prin alektora phōnēsai):

  • ἀλέκτορα (alektora): A rooster. The crowing was a common sign marking the third watch of the night, also known as the "cock-crow," typically around 3 AM.
  • Significance: A precise, undeniable natural event marking the time, adding to the immediate, tangible proof of Jesus' divine foreknowledge.

• thou shalt deny me thrice (ἀπαρνήσῃ με τρίς, aparnēsē me tris):

  • ἀπαρνήσῃ (aparnēsē): From aparneomai, to deny utterly, completely disown, reject entirely. It's a strong term indicating not just a simple "no" but a decisive and total disassociation.
  • τρίς (tris): "Three times."
  • Significance: The prophecy was exact in both the nature (utter denial) and the number (thrice), demonstrating Jesus' absolute divine foreknowledge and control. The three denials represent a complete failure to acknowledge his Lord.

• And he went out (καὶ ἐξελθὼν, kai exelthōn):

  • ἐξελθὼν (exelthōn): From exerchomai, to go out, to come forth. Implies a swift and immediate departure from the scene of his sin, possibly seeking solitude.
  • Significance: A decisive action separating himself from the place of his betrayal and public failure, allowing him to privately face his remorse.

• and wept bitterly (ἔκλαυσεν πικρῶς, eklausen pikrōs):

  • ἔκλαυσεν (eklausen): From klaio, to wail aloud, weep, lament, usually with audible expression.
  • πικρῶς (pikrōs): Bitterly, grievously, painfully. An intensifier for the weeping, suggesting deep, intense anguish and emotional distress.
  • Significance: This intense sorrow indicates godly sorrow, distinct from Judas's despair. Peter's bitter tears reveal profound regret, shame, and brokenness over his unfaithfulness, leading to repentance and ultimately, restoration.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "And Peter remembered the word of Jesus": This highlights the crucial role of God's Word. The prophetic word was not abstract; it was personal, precise, and activated at a moment of deep failure. This emphasizes divine foreknowledge and the unyielding truth of Jesus' words.
  • "Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice": This entire phrase, the precise prophecy, is what haunted Peter. Its complete and undeniable fulfillment shattered Peter's self-confidence and forced him to confront his spiritual weakness directly.
  • "And he went out, and wept bitterly": This phrase describes the immediate, physical and emotional reaction to profound spiritual conviction. His going out signals a desire for privacy in his brokenness, and the "bitter weeping" reveals a depth of penitence that distinguishes his sorrow from mere regret, contrasting sharply with Judas's destructive remorse.

Matthew 26 75 Bonus section

The precise fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy underscored His divine authority and omniscience, even during His passion. Peter's failure served not to condemn him but to refine him, highlighting the difference between a self-reliant faith and one dependent solely on Christ. His bitter weeping initiated a process of deep transformation, setting him apart from Judas, whose worldly sorrow led to destruction (Mat 27:3-5). Peter's fall and subsequent restoration are a perpetual source of hope for believers who, despite sincere intentions, fall short. It confirms that God uses our weaknesses and failures to teach us humility and increase our reliance on His boundless grace.

Matthew 26 75 Commentary

Matthew 26:75 marks a watershed moment in Peter's life, a devastating yet redemptive humiliation. His bitter weeping was not a sign of despair but of profound, godly sorrow over his sin (2 Cor 7:10). The realization that Jesus knew his future failure, even when Peter vehemently swore loyalty, crushed his self-reliance and pride. This profound brokenness prepared Peter, a bold but often impulsive disciple, for a deeper dependence on Christ. It stripped him of his arrogance and made him a vessel for greater spiritual power, evidenced in his leadership post-resurrection and Pentecost. This verse is a powerful reminder that even faithful disciples can stumble severely, but God's grace extends to complete restoration when repentance is genuine. It teaches that acknowledging one's sin, grieving over it, and turning from it are pathways to God's forgiveness and renewal.