Peter Denies Again with an Oath - Matthew 26:72

Matthew the apostle wrote how the high priest and religious leaders tried Jesus and declared He was guilty of death. Matthew continued, “Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, You also were with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what you are saying. 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”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse seventy-two of his book, Matthew wrote when Peter, “again … denied with an oath” where we read:

And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

The verse reads, “And again he denied with an oath, ...” Matthew began words, “and again” which means “and anew, further and another time” “he denied” or “Peter abnegated, abjured, rejected and refused” “with an oath” which means “with a sacred restraint, promise or pledge”. Matthew shared how Peter again “denied” that he knew Jesus and this time He “swore” to add credence to his word.

The verse goes on to say, “... I do not know the man.” Matthew continued with the words, “I do not know” or “Peter did not perceive, notice, discern or discover” “the man” which refers to “Jesus”. Matthew shared how Peter “swore” that he was unfamiliar and not affiliated with Jesus.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Peter was pressured for the second time as to whether he knew Jesus. Another “maid” accused him, and Peter rejected her charge. Jesus knew Peter would “deny” Him three times, and after encountering this “second” time when Peter could have proved otherwise, he failed. The beautiful thing about Jesus is that He knew Peter would tell others he did not know Him, and He continued to pursue Peter anyway. These failings by Peter did not exempt him from having a relationship with God, and those who are wise will understand their shortcomings do not disqualify them when they submit themselves to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Matthew shares how people who stood by Peter said, “surely you also are one of them, for your speech bewrayeth you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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