PETER'S BETRAYAL

Passage: Matthew 26:69-75

Key verse: 75a

NIV

Peter Disowns Jesus(A)

69 Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.

70 But he denied it before them all. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.

71 Then he went out to the gateway, where another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

72 He denied it again, with an oath: “I don’t know the man!”

73 After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”

74 Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”(B) And he went outside and wept bitterly.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Peter Denies Jesus

69 (A)Now Peter was sitting outside (B)in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus (C)of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for (D)your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, (E)“Before the rooster crows, you will (F)deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Peter was sitting in the courtyard (69-73)

He wanted to be loyal to Jesus, so when Jesus was arrested, he followed at a distance. However, because there was no decision to live and die for Jesus' sake, fear ruled his heart. He went into the courtyard and sat down with the guards, but he was not clear about his identity as Jesus' disciple. Jesus had predicted Peter's betrayal, but Peter had not accepted Jesus' words. He had not prayed. He was on the frontline of the battle, but there was no decision of faith in his heart.

2. Then Peter remembered (74-75)

A servant girl recognized Peter, but he denied being with Jesus. Then another girl recognized him. This time he denied it with an oath. Finally, someone recognized his Galilean accent. Peter's fear took over. He cursed and swore, saying, 'I don't know the man.' Then the rooster crowed. Peter remembered Jesus' words (34), went out, and wept.

Prayer: Lord, give me a decision to live and die for Jesus' sake and help me to keep your word in my heart.

One Word: Remember Jesus' words