Devine Scripture

Matthew 26:74

What does Matthew 26:74 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 26:74 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 26:74 means

Peter begins to curse and swear that he does not know the man; immediately the rooster crowed. His violent repudiation shows the height of his terrified insistence on innocence, but the crowing of the rooster instantly recalls Jesus’ prophecy. The juxtaposition of Peter’s words and the rooster’s crow signals the tragic fulfillment of the prediction and precipitates deep remorse. The verse captures the moment of realization when Peter recognizes his failure and the grievousness of denying his Lord.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Then began he to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And straightway the cock crew.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Then with curses and oaths he said, I have no knowledge of the man. And straight away there came the cry of a cock.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Then began he to anathematise, and to swear--`I have not known the man;' and immediately did a cock crow,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Then he began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Then he began to curse and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately [the] cock crew.

Context

This verse climaxes the denial sequence: Peter’s final sworn denial is immediately followed by the rooster’s crow, fulfilling Jesus’ earlier prediction. It precipitates the penitent reaction that follows. For readers, the verse is pivotal: it marks the turning point from proud denial to bitter remembrance and leads into Peter’s mourning.

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.

v.74This passage

v.75And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 16:22

    If any man loveth not the Lord, let him be anathema. Maranatha.

  • Judges 17:2

    And he said unto his mother, The eleven hundred pieces of silver that were taken from thee, about which thou didst utter a curse, and didst also speak it in mine ears, behold, the silver is with me; I took it. And his mother said, Blessed be my son of Jehovah.

  • Acts 23:12

    And when it was day, the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

  • Matthew 27:25

    And all the people answered and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

  • John 21:15

    So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

  • 1 Samuel 14:24

    And the men of Israel were distressed that day; for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until it be evening, and I be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted food.

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