Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:58

What does Matthew 26:58 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:58 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:58 means

Peter follows at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard and sits with the servants to watch the end. Peter’s furtive following shows loyalty mixed with fear and cowardice: he wants to see what happens but won’t openly identify himself. Sitting among officers to observe demonstrates his desire for involvement without commitment. The verse foreshadows Peter’s later denials and captures the tragic irony of his proximity to Jesus during the trial combined with his failure to stand openly for him.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But Peter followed him afar off unto the high priest’s palace, and went in, and sat with the servants, to see the end.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But Peter followed him afar off, unto the court of the high priest, and entered in, and sat with the officers, to see the end.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But Peter went after him at a distance, to the house of the high priest, and went in and took his seat with the servants, to see the end.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and Peter was following him afar off, unto the court of the chief priest, and having gone in within, he was sitting with the officers, to see the end.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And Peter followed him afar off, even to the court of the high priest, And going in, he sat with the servants, that he might see the end.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And Peter followed him at a distance, even to the palace of the high priest, and entering in sat with the officers to see the end.

Context

This verse bridges the arrest to the trial and Peter’s denial episodes. It follows Jesus being led to Caiaphas and shows Peter’s insecure approach—close yet hidden. For readers, the verse primes the tension of proximity to Jesus contrasted with inner distance and prepares for the denials that fulfill Jesus’ prediction.

v.57And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.

v.58This passage

v.59Now the chief priests and the whole council sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 18:25

    Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also one of his disciples? He denied, and said, I am not.

  • John 7:45

    The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why did ye not bring him?

  • John 18:15

    And Simon Peter followed Jesus, andso didanother disciple. Now that disciple was known unto the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest;

  • John 7:32

    The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him; and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to take him.

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