Bible Strands
Matthew 26:70
But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Peter stands in the courtyard while a servant girl confronts him, accusing him of being with Jesus the Galilean. He responds directly to her and the surrounding crowd before moving to the gateway.
The words — ἠρνήσατο (ērnēsato) means he denied, and ἔμπροσθεν πάντων (emprosthen pantōn) translates as before all. The text records his explicit verbal refusal to acknowledge any connection to Jesus in front of the entire group.
The thread — The narrative places this event alongside warnings against falling in 1 Corinthians 10:12 and the exclusion of the cowardly in Revelation 21:8. It also aligns with the command to depart from evildoers found in Psalm 119:115.
Why it lands — The text records a factual refusal rather than a theological argument. Readers must confront the reality that proximity to Jesus does not guarantee steadfastness under pressure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
- Revelation 21:8 But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”
- Psalms 119:115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.
- Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
- Proverbs 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
- Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
- Isaiah 57:11 Whom have you dreaded and feared, so that you lied and failed to remember Me or take this to heart? Is it not because I have long been silent that you do not fear Me?
- Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- Matthew 26:34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
- Matthew 26:40 Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.