King James Version

What Does Matthew 26:75 Mean?

Matthew 26:75 in the King James Version says “And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he wen...” — study this verse from Matthew chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.”

Matthew 26:75 · KJV

Context

73

And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee .

74

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

75

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice (καὶ ἐμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τοῦ ῥήματος Ἰησοῦ εἰρηκότος ὅτι Πρὸ ἀλέκτορος φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με)—The verb μιμνῄσκομαι (mimnēskomai, 'to remember, to recall') shows the cock-crow triggered memory. Peter remembered τοῦ ῥήματος (the word, saying) of Jesus—specifically His prediction of threefold denial. The phrase τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με ('three times you will deny Me') exactly described what just occurred. Jesus's words proved true; Peter's confidence proved false. Memory brought conviction—recognizing sin is repentance's first step.

And he went out, and wept bitterly (καὶ ἐξελθὼν ἔξω ἔκλαυσεν πικρῶς)—Peter went out (ἐξέρχομαι, exited) ἔξω (outside), leaving the high priest's courtyard. He ἔκλαυσεν (wept—verb κλαίω, intense weeping, not mere tears) πικρῶς (bitterly, grievously—adverb from πικρός, 'bitter, sharp, severe'). These weren't tears of self-pity but godly sorrow producing repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). Peter's bitter weeping contrasts with Judas's remorse (27:3-5)—both betrayed Christ; Peter's sorrow led to restoration (John 21:15-19); Judas's led to suicide. The difference: Peter remembered Jesus's words and wept; Judas remembered his wages and despaired.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Peter's weeping occurred around dawn Friday, hours before crucifixion. The cock-crow and Jesus's look (Luke 22:61) shattered Peter's self-confidence, preparing him for restoration. Forty days later, the risen Christ reinstated Peter threefold (John 21:15-19), one affirmation per denial. Peter's failure and restoration became testimony to grace—he later wrote about Christ's sufferings with intimate knowledge, having denied the suffering Savior yet experienced forgiving restoration. His epistles emphasize perseverance through suffering (1 Peter 1:6-7; 4:12-19), lessons learned through failure.

Reflection Questions

  1. What's the difference between Judas's remorseful despair and Peter's repentant bitter weeping—and which characterizes your response to sin?
  2. How does Peter's restoration after catastrophic failure encourage you to return to Christ after denying Him?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
καὶ1 of 22

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐμνήσθη2 of 22

“remembered”

G3415

to bear in mind, i.e., recollect; by implication, to reward or punish

τοῦ3 of 22

“which”

G3588

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

Πέτρος4 of 22

“Peter”

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

τοῦ5 of 22

“which”

G3588

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

ῥήματος6 of 22

“the word”

G4487

an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negat

τοῦ7 of 22

“which”

G3588

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

Ἰησοῦ8 of 22

“of Jesus”

G2424

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

εἰρηκότος9 of 22

“said”

G2046

an alternate for g2036 in certain tenses; to utter, i.e., speak or say

αὐτῷ10 of 22

“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

ὅτι11 of 22

“Before”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

Πρὶν12 of 22
G4250

before

ἀλέκτορα13 of 22

“the cock”

G220

a cock or male fowl

φωνῆσαι14 of 22

“crow”

G5455

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

τρὶς15 of 22

“thrice”

G5151

three times

ἀπαρνήσῃ16 of 22

“thou shalt deny”

G533

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

με·17 of 22

“me”

G3165

me

καὶ18 of 22

“And”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἐξελθὼν19 of 22

“and”

G1831

to issue (literally or figuratively)

ἔξω20 of 22

“he went out”

G1854

out(-side) (of doors), literally or figuratively

ἔκλαυσεν21 of 22

“wept”

G2799

to sob, i.e., wail aloud (whereas 1145 is rather to cry silently)

πικρῶς22 of 22

“bitterly”

G4090

bitterly, i.e., (figuratively) violently

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 26:75 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 26:75 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 7:18-20Matthew 26:34John 13:38Luke 22:31-34Luke 22:61-62Matthew 27:3-5

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