Matthew 26:31 – 35

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 Then Jesus said to them,

“All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

32 But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

33 Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

34 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

35 Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

And so said all the disciples.

Jesus said many things to the apostles on the way to the mount of Olives. In the book of John, the chapters 14 – 17 all record some of what Jesus spoke on the walk there. Matthew only records what is said in verses 31 – 35.

Jesus means the events which happen to him during the time from his arrest until after his Resurrection would cause many of them to desert him and flee for their lives. The prediction is written in

Zechariah 13:7 (“Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion,” Says the Lord of hosts. “Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones. )

In verse 32 Jesus predicts his resurrection, and after He rises from the dead He will lead them into Galilee where they will reunite.

Peter is always outspoken and speaks impulsively, He makes his extreme belief in his faith known at this time.

John 18:10 (Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. ) shows Peter's impulsiveness in action,

and it shows his willingness to fight for Jesus freedom, but after Jesus admonishes his use of the sword then being confused he does deny his Master.

Jesus tells Peter the truth, He knows what will happen, He tells Peter before morning He will have denied Jesus 3 times.

Even with Jesus sad predictions, Peter would not admit what would happen and continued repeating his declarations of loyalty to Christ even as far as death, and the others repeated these statements of loyalty to Jesus.