69Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one servant girl came to him, saying: "You also were with Jesus the Galilean." [26:70] But he denied it before them all, saying: "I do not know what you are saying." [26:71] Having gone out to the gateway, another saw him and says to those there: "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." [26:72] And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man." [26:73] After a little while, those standing there came to him and said to Peter: "Surely you also are one of them, for indeed your speech makes you plain." [26:74] Then he began to curse and to swear: "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. [26:75] And Peter remembered the declaration of Jesus, having said to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And having gone outside, he wept bitterly.
MAT 26:69-75
Peter Denies Jesus
In the world it was spoken into
In the first-century Jewish and Roman context, Peter’s denial occurs in the courtyard of the high priest’s residence, a semi-public space where servants and bystanders gathered. The servant girls who confront Peter were likely young female slaves, occupying a low social status yet wielding authority in this setting. Peter’s Galilean accent would have marked him as an outsider in Jerusalem, making him easily identifiable. His repeated denials, culminating in an oath , reflect the cultural weight of such a declaration—invoking a curse upon oneself if lying. This act underscores the gravity of Peter’s fear and the honor-shame dynamics at play, where association with Jesus, now arrested, carried significant social and political risk. The scene highlights the tension between loyalty and self-preservation in a society where public shame and Roman authority could lead to severe consequences.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
MAT 26:69
- KJV
- Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
- BSB
- Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.
- Koinōnos
- Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and one servant girl came to him, saying: "You also were with Jesus the Galilean.
MAT 26:70
- KJV
- But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
- BSB
- But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”
- Koinōnos
- But he denied it before them all, saying: "I do not know what you are saying.
MAT 26:71
- KJV
- 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.
- BSB
- 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.”
- Koinōnos
- Having gone out to the gateway, another saw him and says to those there: "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.
MAT 26:72
- KJV
- And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.
- BSB
- And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”
- Koinōnos
- And again he denied it with an oath: "I do not know the man.
MAT 26:73
- KJV
- And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
- BSB
- After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”
- Koinōnos
- After a little while, those standing there came to him and said to Peter: "Surely you also are one of them, for indeed your speech makes you plain.
MAT 26:74
- KJV
- Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.
- BSB
- At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
- Koinōnos
- Then he began to curse and to swear: "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed.
MAT 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.
- BSB
- Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
- Koinōnos
- And Peter remembered the declaration of Jesus, having said to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And having gone outside, he wept bitterly.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
MAT 26:69
- court.:The word translated 'court' refers to the open courtyard of a house, often where people gathered or animals were kept, rather than a formal legal court.
- servant girl:The term used here for 'servant girl' specifically denotes a young female slave or bondmaid, highlighting her social status and lack of freedom.
MAT 26:73
- speech:The word translated 'speech' refers to one's manner of speaking or accent, indicating a distinctive way of talking that reveals origin or identity.
MAT 26:74
- to curse:The word translated 'to curse' here implies a very strong, solemn oath or imprecation, often invoking divine judgment upon oneself if one is lying.