Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.
Parallel translations
- WEB Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.
- KJV Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.
- NKJV Peter said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And so said all the disciples.
- NASB Peter *said to Him, “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” All the disciples said the same thing as well.
- NLT “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the other disciples vowed the same.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Peter vows to die rather than deny Jesus, and all the disciples say the same. Their well-meant confidence will soon be tested and found wanting.
Overview
Peter and the others sincerely pledge their loyalty to the death, yet within hours all will flee. Their failure reveals that good intentions cannot stand without dependence on God's enabling grace. The scene humbles every believer and magnifies the faithfulness of Christ, who remains steadfast when His followers do not.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Rom 11:20That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid.
- John 13:37“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”
- Matt 20:22–24“You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied. “Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?” “We can,” the brothers answered.
- Prov 29:23A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.
- 1 Cor 10:12So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
- Phil 2:12Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
- Exod 19:8And all the people answered together, “We will do everything that the LORD has spoken.” So Moses brought their words back to the LORD.
- Prov 28:14Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
- 1 Pet 1:17Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 26:35 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.