Matthew 26:75

“Through fear Peter thrice denied Him, for he had not yet received the Holy Ghost: afterwards, when he had received the Holy Spirit, he began to preach with confidence.…Our Lord so dealt with him, as if He said, thrice thou hast denied Me through fear: thrice confess Me through love.” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 69–75.

“…the mouth of Peter, in whom was the type of the Church; because although he denied for the hour, being disturbed with fear, yet by weeping he was restored, and by confessing was afterwards crowned.” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 70–75.

“And he went out and wept bitterly.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 75.

Chapter VII.—Of the Thorough Harmony of the Evangelists in the Different Accounts of What Took Place in the Early Morning, Previous to the Delivery of Jesus to Pilate; And of the Question Touching the Passage Which…

“And this blasphemy Peter had not, who presently repented, when “he wept bitterly,” and who after he had overcome the spirit who is divided against himself, and who had desired to “have him to harass him,” and against whom the “Lord prayed for…” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 75.

“They grieve in temptations, because they see Peter weeping; they rejoice in temptations, because they hear James saying, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 75.

“For the Evangelist in relating to us the things concerning him, says, “And he went out and wept bitterly.” ( Matt. xxvi. 75.)” — the author cites it

“And he went out, and wept bitterly.”” — editor's note: Matt. xxvi. 69–75. [In verse 74, καταθεματζειν is read; in verse 75, ατ is omitted. These variations and those noted above are the only peculiarities.—R.]

Among the other insults offered to our Lord was the threefold denial of Peter, which the several Evangelists relate in different order. Luke puts Peter’s trial first, and the ill-usage of the Lord after that; Matthew…

“Peter sat without,” that he might see the event, and not excite suspicion by any approach to Jesus.

And he, who, when he saw his Master laid hands on, drew his sword and cut off the ear, now when he sees Him enduring such insults becomes a denier, and cannot withstand the taunts of a mean servant girl. “A damsel…

What means this, that a handmaid is the first to tax him, when men would be more likely to recognise him, except that this sex might seem to sin somewhat in the Lord’s death, that they might be redeemed by His…

For this reason it should seem he was permitted to waver, that the remedy of penitence might be exhibited in the head of the Church, and that none should dare to trust in his own strength, when even the blessed Peter…

But not once, but twice and thrice did he deny within a short time.

We understand that having gone out after his first denial, the cock crowed the first time as Mark relates.

To shew that the sound did not keep him from denial, nor bring his promise to mind.

The second denial was not outside the door, but after he had returned to the fire; for the second maid did not see him after he had gone out, but as he was going out; his getting up to go out drew her attention, and…

“And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.” I know that some out of a feeling of piety towards the Apostle Peter have interpreted this place to signify that Peter denied the Man and not the God, as…

I had rather that Peter deny, than that the Lord be made out false.

In this denial of Peter we affirm that Christ is denied not only by him who denies that He is Christ, but who denies himself to be a Christian.

Let us now come to the third denial; “And after a while came they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them,” (Luke’s words are, “About the space of one hour after, [Luke 22:59]) for thy…

Not that Peter was of a different speech or nation, but a Hebrew as his accusers were; but every province and every district has its peculiarities, and he could not disguise his native pronunciation.

Observe how baneful are communications with evil men; they even drove Peter to deny the Lord whom be had before confessed to be the Son of God.

Observe, that he said the first time, “I know not what thou sayest;” the second time, “He denied with an oath;” the third time, “He began to curse and to swear that he knew not the man.” For to persevere in sinning…

Spiritually; By Peter’s denial before the cock-crow, are denoted those who before Christ’s resurrection did not believe Him to be God, being perplexed by His death. In his denial after the first cock-crow, are…

Or, By the first handmaid is understood the Synagogue of the Jews, which oft compelled the faithful to deny; by the second, the congregations of the Gentiles, who even persecuted the Christians; they that stood in…

Also Peter thrice denied, because heretical error concerning Christ is limited to three kinds; they are in error respecting His divinity, His humanity, or both.

After the third denial comes the cock-crow; by which we may understand a Doctor of the Church who with chiding rouses the slumbering, saying, “Awake, ye righteous, and sin not.” [1 Cor 15:14] Thus Holy Scripture uses…

In another Gospel we read, that after Peter’s denial and thee cock-crow, the Saviour “looked upon Peter,” [Luke 22,61] and by His look called forth those bitter tears; for it might not be that he on whom the Light of…

Blessed tears, O holy Apostle, which had the virtue of holy Baptism in washing off the sin of thy denial. The right hand of the Lord Jesus Christ was with thee to hold thee up before thou wast quite thrown down, and…

Matthew 26:75 and Mark 14:30 share the same wording (10 words).

Matthew 26:75 and Mark 14:72 share the same wording (13 words).

Matthew 26:75 and Luke 22:61 share the same wording (13 words).

Matthew 26:75 and Luke 22:62 share the same wording (6 words).

Cited together in Augustine of Hippo on Matthew 26:69–75 (4) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Rabanus Maurus on Matthew 26:69–75 (4) (Catena Aurea).