Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:69

What does Matthew 26:69 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:69 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:69 means

Peter sits outside in the courtyard, and a maid tells him that he also was with Jesus the Galilæan. This is the first accusation leading to Peter’s denials. Being in the courtyard places Peter close to the action yet separated; the maid’s identification triggers his fear. The verse begins the sequence of denials that fulfill Jesus’ prophecy and demonstrate human weakness. It shows how proximity to danger leads Peter to minimize his association to avoid the consequences faced by Jesus.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilæan.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilæan.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Now Peter was seated in the open square outside the house: and a servant-girl came to him, saying, You were with Jesus the Galilaean.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And Peter without was sitting in the court, and there came near to him a certain maid, saying, `And thou wast with Jesus of Galilee!'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But Peter sat without in the court. And there came to him a servant maid, saying: Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But Peter sat without in the palace-court; and a maid came to him, saying, And thou wast with Jesus the Galilaean.

Context

This verse follows Jesus’ humiliation inside and transitions to Peter’s denial storyline outside. It sets up the first confrontation with an accuser and begins the dramatic fulfillment of Jesus’ prediction. For readers, the verse prepares the emotional arc culminating in Peter’s bitter remorse.

v.68saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ: who is he that struck thee?

v.69This passage

v.70But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 26:71

    And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Luke 22:55

    And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them.

  • John 7:52

    They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and see that out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

  • 2 Peter 2:7

    and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked

  • Psalms 1:1

    Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers:

  • 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.

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