Matthew the apostle wrote as Jesus and His disciples, “All of you shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee. Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of you, yet will I never be offended. Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto you, That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me three times”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse thirty-five of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus said, “though I should die with you, yet will I not deny you” where we read:
Peter said unto him, Though I should die with you,
yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.
The verse reads, “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with you, ...” Matthew began words, “Peter answered” which means “Peter whose name means a rock or a stone and was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus responded” “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto him” which means “to Jesus”, “though I should die” or “even if Peter should expire, take his last breath and perish” “with you” which means “alongside Jesus”. Matthew shared how Peter escalated his declaration as he referred to the possibility of “dying” alongside Jesus.
The verse continues, “... yet will I not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.” Matthew added the words, “yet will I not deny you” which means “no, not in any way and never would Peter affirm that he had no acquaintance or connection with Jesus” “Likewise” or “in the same manner and likeness” “also said” which means “even so and indeed uttered, declared and proclaimed” “all the disciples” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of Jesus' students, pupils and attendants”. Matthew shared how Peter declared there would be no way he would ever swear that he had no “affiliation” with Jesus to which all the other “disciples” chimed in and declared as well.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Peter “ramped up” his statement about not “denying” Jesus. This time he declared his readiness to “die” with Jesus if necessary, and all the other disciples made the same statement. Jesus knew the truth, and every one of His “students” including Peter would abandon Him when the time came. They all did, and those who are reading these words should understand the natural preservation that each person has within themselves. Jesus desires to save people even though He knows the truth within their hearts, minds, attitudes and actions, and if there should be any boastful statements declared, let them be concerning Jesus Christ and His ability to save no matter what is in the heart of a person.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus came with His disciples, “unto a place called Gethsemane”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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