Matthew 26:35

35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the disciples.

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 declared to him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."
34 Jesus said to him, "Truly, I say to you, this very night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times."
35 Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." And so said all the disciples.
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsem'ane, and he said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go yonder and pray."
37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zeb'edee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.