Matthew 26:35

35 Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing.

Matthew 26:35 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 26:35

Peter saith unto him
Mark says, "he spake the more vehemently", ( Mark 14:31 ) ; his spirits were raised to a greater pitch of resentment, and he expressed himself in stronger terms, and in more peremptory and self-confident language;

though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee:
he seems to have understood Christ, that he should suffer death, and that he would be in great danger himself, and therefore rather than lose his life would deny his master; wherefore he most confidently affirms, that should this be the case, should he be called to suffer death for his sake, or along with him, he would most cheerfully embrace it, rather than be guilty of so dreadful a crime, which he could not look upon but with the utmost detestation and abhorrence, as to deny his dear Lord and Saviour:

likewise also said all the disciples;
that they would never be offended because of him, and would die with him rather than deny him. This they said, being also self-confident and ignorant of their own weakness, and drawn into these expressions through Peter's example; and that partly to show their equal abhorrence of so horrible an iniquity, as denying Jesus; and partly to remove all suspicion from them, lest they should be thought to have less love and zeal for Christ than Peter had.

Matthew 26:35 In-Context

33 Peter broke in, "Even if everyone else falls to pieces on account of you, I won't."
34 "Don't be so sure," Jesus said. "This very night, before the rooster crows up the dawn, you will deny me three times."
35 Peter protested, "Even if I had to die with you, I would never deny you." All the others said the same thing.
36 Then Jesus went with them to a garden called Gethsemane and told his disciples, "Stay here while I go over there and pray."
37 Taking along Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he plunged into an agonizing sorrow.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.