Matthew 26:71

And when he was gone out into the porch, another [maid] saw him, and said unto them that were there, This [fellow] was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

And {G1161} when he {G846} was gone out {G1831} into {G1519} the porch {G4440}, another {G243} maid saw {G1492} him {G846}, and {G2532} said {G3004} unto them that were there {G1563}, This {G3778} fellow was {G2258} also {G2532} with {G3326} Jesus {G2424} of Nazareth {G3480}.

He went out onto the porch, and another girl saw him and said to the people there, "This man was with Yeshua of Natzeret."

When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.

Matthew 26:71 records the second of Peter's three denials of Jesus, an event foretold by Christ Himself. This moment intensifies the pressure on Peter as he attempts to distance himself from his master amidst the chaotic backdrop of Jesus' trial.

Context

Following Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter, along with another disciple, had cautiously followed Him to the high priest Caiaphas' courtyard. While Jesus was undergoing a hurried and unjust trial inside, Peter remained outside among the servants and guards, seeking to observe from a safe distance. The first denial occurred when a maid identified him (as detailed in Matthew 26:69-70). Here, Peter has moved "out into the porch" (Greek: pylōna, meaning a gateway or vestibule), indicating a slightly more public area, where another maid spots him and publicly identifies him as being with "Jesus of Nazareth."

Key Themes

  • Escalating Pressure and Fear: Peter's movement into the porch suggests an attempt to avoid further scrutiny, yet the pressure mounts. The accusation is now made to "them that were there," making the denial more public and forcing Peter into a more vehement response in the subsequent verse.
  • Human Weakness: This verse powerfully illustrates the frailty of even devoted disciples under intense fear and temptation. Peter, who had earlier vowed to die with Jesus, now denies knowing Him.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This incident directly fulfills Jesus' prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed (Matthew 26:34). The precise nature of the denials, even down to the location and accusers, underscores the divine foreknowledge of these events.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses "maid" and "fellow," which simply denote a female servant and a man, respectively. The term "Jesus of Nazareth" was a common identifier, distinguishing Him from others named Jesus and highlighting His humble Galilean origins, often used by those who did not yet acknowledge His full divine authority or messianic claims.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a sober reminder of our own susceptibility to fear and temptation, even when we deeply desire to follow Christ. Peter's failure teaches us that:

  • Self-Confidence Can Be Deceptive: Peter's earlier bold declarations (Matthew 26:33) were not enough without divine strength.
  • Vigilance is Crucial: His failure to watch and pray in Gethsemane left him spiritually vulnerable.
  • Grace for Repentance: While a moment of profound failure, Peter's denial ultimately led to deep repentance (Matthew 26:75) and restoration, offering hope to all who stumble. It highlights that God's plan and love are greater than our human failings.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 18:25

    And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also [one] of his disciples? He denied [it], and said, I am not.

  • John 18:27

    Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

  • Luke 22:58

    And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

  • Mark 14:68

    But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

  • Mark 14:69

    And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is [one] of them.

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