King James Version

What Does Matthew 26:34 Mean?

Matthew 26:34 in the King James Version says “Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. — study this verse from Matthew chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Matthew 26:34 · KJV


Context

32

But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.

33

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. offended: or, though the faith of other men should be shaken and fail, yet mine will be firm and constant

34

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

36

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice (ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με, en tautē tē nykti prin alektora phōnēsai tris aparnēsē me)—Jesus provides devastating specificity: this night (within hours), before the cock crow (typically 3-4 AM, the third watch), thrice (three separate denials). The verb aparneomai means 'to deny utterly, disown, renounce.'

Jesus's precision underscores divine foreknowledge and Peter's self-deception. The cock's crow would become Peter's conscience, driving him to weep bitterly (v. 75). Yet Christ already knows Peter's restoration (Luke 22:32, John 21:15-19). This foreknowledge doesn't cause Peter's denial but reveals Christ's omniscience and redemptive purpose.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Roman timekeeping divided night into four watches; the third watch (midnight-3 AM) was called 'cockcrow' (Mark 13:35). Roosters crowing at dawn was common in Jerusalem despite being within city walls. Jesus's specific prediction—within hours, before sunrise, three times—made the prophecy unmistakably verifiable and unforgettable.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jesus's specific foreknowledge of Peter's denial demonstrate both divine omniscience and personal care?
  2. What does Christ's prediction-despite-certainty-of-restoration teach about God's view of your failures?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 18 words
ἔφη1 of 18

said

G5346

to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say

αὐτῷ2 of 18

unto him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

3 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ἰησοῦς4 of 18

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

Ἀμὴν5 of 18

Verily

G281

properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)

λέγω6 of 18

I say

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

σοι7 of 18

unto thee

G4671

to thee

ὅτι8 of 18

That

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

ἐν9 of 18

this

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

ταύτῃ10 of 18
G3778

the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)

τῇ11 of 18
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

νυκτὶ12 of 18

night

G3571

"night" (literally or figuratively)

πρὶν13 of 18

before

G4250

before

ἀλέκτορα14 of 18

the cock

G220

a cock or male fowl

φωνῆσαι15 of 18

crow

G5455

to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation

τρὶς16 of 18

thrice

G5151

three times

ἀπαρνήσῃ17 of 18

thou shalt deny

G533

to deny utterly, i.e., disown, abstain

με18 of 18

me

G3165

me


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Matthew. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Matthew 26:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Matthew 26:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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