Matthew 26:34

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Jesus {G2424} said {G5346} unto him {G846}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto thee {G4671}, That {G3754} this {G1722}{G5026} night {G3571}, before {G4250} the cock {G220} crow {G5455}, thou shalt deny {G533} me {G3165} thrice {G5151}.

Yeshua said to him, "Yes! I tell you that tonight before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!"

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Commentary

In Matthew 26:34, Jesus delivers a sobering and direct prophecy to Peter, one of His most ardent disciples, immediately following Peter's bold declaration of unwavering loyalty. This verse is a pivotal moment, highlighting both Jesus' divine foreknowledge and the surprising fragility of human resolve.

Context

This prophecy occurs during the intimate and solemn moments after the Last Supper, as Jesus and His disciples are on their way to the Mount of Olives and the Garden of Gethsemane. Just prior to this, Jesus had spoken of all of them being offended because of Him that night. Peter, ever impetuous and confident, had boasted that even if all others deserted Jesus, he never would. Jesus' response in verse 34 directly addresses this overconfidence, foretelling a specific and painful failure.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge: Jesus' ability to predict Peter's exact actions—three denials before the cock crow—demonstrates His omniscience and divine authority. This is not a guess but a certain knowledge of future events.
  • Human Frailty and Overconfidence: The verse powerfully illustrates the contrast between Peter's sincere but ultimately misplaced self-assurance and the reality of his human weakness when faced with intense pressure. It underscores that even the most devoted followers can falter.
  • Prophetic Fulfillment: This prediction sets the stage for a dramatic and painful event that will soon unfold, providing a clear example of Jesus' words being fulfilled precisely, as recorded later in the chapter (Matthew 26:69-75).

Linguistic Insights

  • "Verily I say unto thee": The Greek word for "Verily" is Amen (ἀμὴν), which in this context emphasizes the absolute truth and certainty of Jesus' pronouncement. It signifies a solemn and authoritative declaration.
  • "before the cock crow": This phrase likely refers to the third watch of the night, known as the "cockcrowing" (roughly 12 AM to 3 AM), a common Roman designation for that period. It also refers to the literal crowing of a rooster, which would serve as an unmistakable sign of the prophecy's fulfillment. This detail adds a stark, immediate, and undeniable element to the prediction.

Related Scriptures

The prediction of Peter's denial is a significant event recorded in all four Gospels, highlighting its importance in the early Christian narrative:

While this verse focuses on Peter's failure, the broader narrative of Peter's life includes his profound repentance and ultimate restoration by Jesus after the resurrection.

Practical Application

Matthew 26:34 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Guard Against Overconfidence: Peter's fall serves as a powerful reminder that even strong faith can be tested. We should rely on God's strength, not our own, and cultivate humility (1 Corinthians 10:12).
  2. The Reality of Failure: This verse acknowledges that even devoted followers of Christ may stumble or deny Him in various ways. It normalizes human imperfection within the divine plan.
  3. Hope for Restoration: While this verse highlights failure, the larger story of Peter points to God's incredible grace and willingness to forgive and restore those who genuinely repent. Our failures do not have to be our final identity.
  4. The Reliability of Jesus' Word: Jesus' perfect foreknowledge and the precise fulfillment of His prophecy underscore the absolute trustworthiness of all His words and promises.
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Cross-References

  • John 13:38 (6 votes)

    Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

  • Luke 22:34 (4 votes)

    And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

  • Matthew 26:75 (3 votes)

    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.

  • Mark 14:30 (2 votes)

    And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, [even] in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

  • Mark 14:31 (2 votes)

    But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.