Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:72

What does Matthew 26:72 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:72 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:72 means

Peter again denies, this time with an oath, saying he does not know the man. His use of an oath shows desperation and a willingness to swear falsely to avoid implication. The escalation to cursing and swearing indicates stronger efforts to assert innocence and distance. The verse reveals the moral collapse from simple denial to perjury-like measures, underscoring how fear can lead even good intentions to become complicit in wrongdoing.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And again he said with an oath, I have no knowledge of the man.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and again did he deny with an oath--`I have not known the man.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

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

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

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

Context

This verse follows the second accusation and shows the intensifying nature of Peter's denials. It moves the narrative toward the climax where his final denial coincides with the rooster's crow. For readers, the verse paints a bleak picture of human weakness and sets up the moment of fulfillment of Jesus' prediction and Peter’s subsequent remorse.

v.71And 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.

v.72This passage

v.73And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech maketh thee known.

Cross references

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

  • Exodus 20:7

    Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain; for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

  • Luke 22:34

    And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

  • Isaiah 48:1

    Hear ye this, O house of Jacob, who are called by the name of Israel, and are come forth out of the waters of Judah; who swear by the name of Jehovah, and make mention of the God of Israel, but not in truth, nor in righteousness

  • Acts 5:3

    But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land?

  • Zechariah 8:17

    and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith Jehovah.

  • Malachi 3:5

    And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against the false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the sojourner from his right, and fear not me, saith Jehovah of hosts.

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