Chapter

Matthew 26:33

ESV Peter answered him, "Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away."
NIV Peter replied, "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will."
NASB But Peter replied to Him, 'Even if they all fall away because of You, I will never fall away!'
CSB Peter told him, "Even if everyone falls away because of you, I will never fall away."
NLT Peter declared, 'Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.'
KJV Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
NKJV Peter answered and said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.”

What does Matthew 26:33 mean?

Peter, as pictured in the Gospels, is ever brash and often wrong. That fearlessness, though, makes him a natural leader for the rest of the disciples. He often boldly says what they are all feeling. Earlier, Peter heard Jesus predict that one of the group would become a traitor (Matthew 26:21). He's taken in the more recent prediction that all the disciples would "fall away" that very night (Matthew 26:31). Jesus has not condemned them, rather promising they will be reunited after He is resurrected (Matthew 26:32). Peter, though, hears only the prediction of failure and disloyalty and cowardice on their part. He refuses to believe it.

This leads to a heartfelt, but foolish declaration from Peter: even if everyone else fails you, I never will! That probably sounded insulting to the other disciples. And yet, Jesus knows Peter's confidence in his own strength will not be enough in the coming hours (Matthew 26:56; 69–75). Peter will learn, eventually, that Jesus does not want followers who are strong in themselves but who rely on Him.
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