Bible Study series: Matthew 26:31-35. Peter replies that he would never do this. Irony.
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In the next link to the original chapter, I comment more and offer the Greek text. At the bottom you will find a “Summary and Conclusion” section geared toward discipleship. Check it out!
In this post, links are provided for further study.
Let’s begin.
Scripture: Matthew 26:31-35
31 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will fall away because of me in this night, for it is written:
I will strike the shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be scattered’ [Zech. 13:7].
32 After I am raised up, I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” 33 In reply, Peter said to him, “If everyone will fall away because of you, I will never fall away!” 34 Jesus said to him, “I tell you that on this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 But Peter said to him, “If it is necessary for me to die with you, I will not deny you!” All the disciples also said the same thing. (Matt. 26:31-35)
Comments:
31:
The Greek word for fall away gives us our word scandal. But the meaning of the word back then meant “stumble” or “trip.” In this context, it means “fall away” even to be repelled by someone (BDAG). If he did not meet their expectations, then they tripped over him. They were just plain frightened, which reveals their commitment to him was shallow, when it came down to life or death, even though they were commissioned to work miracles in his name (Matt. 10:8; and the seventy-two worked them as well, in Luke 10:17).
“because it is written:” This prophecy must be fulfilled. It is not positive, but Jesus was not making this up, and Matthew was not retrofitting the prophecy to make the OT to conform to the NT. They really did deny him (v. 56).
32:
Again, Jesus predicts his resurrection. It is stunning how much confidence he has in his Father and his Father’s plan.
Jesus met them in Galilee, but he will also see the women in Jerusalem, and Matthew knows this him (28:8-10). But then he told the women to tell his “brothers” to go into Galilee, where he will meet them.
34:
Not surprisingly, Peter speaks boldly, but he does not know what he is talking about. He does not read his own soul very well. He is the victim of irony, which says you believe that you know something, but you really don’t. A biblical example is Job and his friends. They were trying to figure out why Job met with disasters, and though they had a small level of understanding—and the poetry is beautiful—they really did not know as much as their confidence allowed. God showed up on the scene and told them so. The main point is the lack knowledge of himself. See the introductory comments under v. 68 for more information about irony.
Likewise, Peter boastfully predicts that he would go to the death with Jesus. Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. He had little self-knowledge. The disciples said the same thing, but Matthew trims their words because Peter has already been portrayed as representing the twelve (Matt. 10:2; 14:28-32; 16:16-19, 22-23; 17:24-27; 19:27-30).
35:
Carson says the rare subjunctive of “necessary” in Greek indicates that Peter did not really believe that Jesus was going to die. “He still has visions of heroism.”
Jesus said: 32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge me in front of people I will also acknowledge him in front of my Father in heaven. 33 And whoever denies me in front of people I also will deny him in front of my Father in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33). And he said of John the Baptist who was having doubts: “And blessed is the one who does not fall away because of me” (Matt. 11:6).
This is personal prophecy, pure and simple. But it was not very positive!
6. Gifts of the Spirit: Prophecy
The rooster won’t crow this morning until Peter denies three times that he knew Jesus. Jesus’s prediction sadly is about to come true (vv. 69-75). Good thing Jesus restored him (John 21:15-19)!
“I tell you”: it introduces a solemn and startling pronouncement.
GrowApp for Matt. 26:31-35
1. How much self-knowledge do you have in your relationship with God? Would you deny the Lord in a tough spot? If you have, how has he restored and forgiven you?
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9. Authoritative Testimony in Matthew’s Gospel
1. Church Fathers and Matthew’s Gospel
2. Archaeology and the Synoptic Gospels
14. Similarities among John’s Gospel and the Synoptic Gospels
1. The Historical Reliability of the Gospels: Introduction to Series
SOURCES AND MORE
To see the bibliography, please click on this link and scroll down to the bottom. You will also find a “Summary and Conclusion” for discipleship.
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