The Last Supper
At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” Matthew 26:74 · Berean Standard Bible
Peter completely breaks down — he starts cursing and swearing: I do not know the man! And right then, a rooster crows.
From 'I will die for You' to cursing and swearing he has never met Jesus. It happened in one night. That is how quickly fear can unravel even the strongest person.
Peter explodes with his most violent denial yet, and the rooster's crow follows immediately.
The sound of the rooster must have cut through Peter like a knife. In that instant, every brave word he ever said comes crashing down around him.
Peter's third denial reaches its nadir — he begins to curse (katathematizein) and swear (omnynai), invoking self-imprecation to reinforce his denial, immediately followed by the rooster crowing.
Katathematizein implies calling down curses upon oneself if lying — the most extreme form of denial possible. The rooster's crow fulfills Jesus' prophecy from v. 34 with precise timing.
Peter speaks with violent self-cursing, and the rooster crows immediately after.
The final denial is volcanic — Peter calls down curses on himself to prove he does not know Jesus, and the rooster's cry cuts through the night like a divine witness.
72And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”
73After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”
74At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!”
75Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Read all of Matthew 26 — Bread broken. Wine poured. A betrayal predicted. The longest night in history begins around a table.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad