Matthew 26:74

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

Then {G5119} began he {G756} to curse {G2653} and {G2532} to swear {G3660}, saying,{G3754} I know {G1492} not {G3756} the man {G444}. And {G2532} immediately {G2112} the cock {G220} crew {G5455}.

This time he began to invoke a curse on himself as he swore, "I do not know the man!" -- and immediately a rooster crowed.

At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

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

Commentary

Context

Matthew 26:74 captures the dramatic climax of Peter's denial of Jesus. After confidently asserting that he would never disown his Master, even if all others did (Matthew 26:33), Peter followed Jesus to the high priest's courtyard. There, amidst the chaos of Jesus' illegal trial, he was confronted by various individuals. This verse records his third and most vehement denial, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed.

Key Themes

  • Human Frailty and Fear: Peter's actions starkly reveal the profound weakness of human resolve when confronted with intense fear and pressure. Despite his earlier bold declaration, the immediate threat of association with Jesus led him to desperate measures.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The immediate crowing of the cock serves as an undeniable sign of Jesus' divine foresight and the absolute accuracy of His words. This instant fulfillment would have deeply impacted Peter, bringing the weight of his actions into sharp focus.
  • The Severity of Denial: Peter's use of "curse and swear" demonstrates the depth of his rejection. He was not merely denying knowledge but invoking divine judgment upon himself if he were lying, attempting to thoroughly distance himself from Jesus.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "to curse and to swear" translates Greek terms (καταθεματίζειν, katathematizein, and ὀμνύειν, omnyein) that denote taking solemn oaths, often invoking divine judgment upon oneself if speaking falsely. This wasn't just casual swearing; it was Peter emphatically calling down curses upon himself to convince his accusers that he truly had no connection to Jesus, demonstrating the extreme lengths he went to in his fear.

Related Scriptures

Practical Application

Peter's denial is a powerful reminder of the ever-present danger of overconfidence and the reality of temptation, even for those closest to God. It teaches us that:

  • Human Weakness is Real: Even strong faith can waver under pressure. We must rely on God's strength, not our own.
  • God's Word is True: The immediate crowing highlights the unfailing accuracy of God's prophetic word.
  • Grace and Restoration are Possible: Despite Peter's profound failure, his story does not end here. His subsequent bitter repentance and later restoration by Jesus offer immense hope that even significant spiritual failures can be met with divine grace and forgiveness, leading to renewed purpose and service.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 3:19

    As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

  • Matthew 10:28

    And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

  • Acts 23:12

    ¶ And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

  • Acts 23:14

    And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

  • Mark 14:71

    But he began to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not this man of whom ye speak.

  • Mark 14:72

    And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:22

    If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
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