Matthew 26:35

35 Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also.

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 And Peter answering said to him, If all shall be offended in thee, *I* will never be offended.
34 Jesus said to him, Verily I say to thee, that during this night, before [the] cock shall crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
35 Peter says to him, If I should needs die with thee, I will in no wise deny thee. Likewise said all the disciples also.
36 Then Jesus comes with them to a place called Gethsemane, and says to the disciples, Sit here until I go away and pray yonder.
37 And taking with [him] Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and deeply depressed.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.