31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. 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. 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. (Matthew 26:31-35 KJV)
Jesus Foretells Peter’s Denial
We have here Christ’s conversation with his disciples on the way to the Mount of Olives. He predicted the trial both he and his disciples were about to face (Matthew 26:31). That very night, they would all be offended because of him—frightened by his suffering and lacking the courage to stay with him.
Though only Judas would betray him, they would all desert him. This warning was meant to make them all alert. We must prepare for sudden trials that may escalate quickly. They had just shared a peaceful supper together, yet that same night turned into a night of testing. The cross of Christ is a major stumbling block, both the one he bore for us (1 Corinthians 1:23) and the one we are called to bear for him (Matthew 16:24).
This would fulfill Scripture: “I will strike the Shepherd” (Zechariah 13:7). When Christ was arrested, the disciples scattered, each one trying to save himself. When the Shepherd was struck, the sheep were scattered.
Still, Christ gave them hope beyond the trial (Matthew 26:32): “After I am raised, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.” Though they would abandon him, he would not abandon them. They would meet again. This matches the promise in Zechariah 13:7—“I will turn my hand upon the little ones.” Christ knows how to gather his followers, even after they have fallen into fear and confusion.
Peter then confidently declared that he would never fall away, even if everyone else did (Matthew 26:33). He often spoke boldly, sometimes helpfully, but here it led to trouble. He promised not only to remain faithful that night but to never be offended in Christ. Had he said this depending humbly on God’s grace, it would have been good. But he assumed he was stronger than the others, which showed pride. It’s foolish to think we are above temptation. We should be more cautious, knowing that if others can fall, so can we (Galatians 6:1).
Jesus gave Peter a clear warning (Matthew 26:34): “Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” Peter had claimed he wouldn’t even be offended, but Jesus told him he would go further—he would deny even knowing him. And he would do it not just once, but three times, and all before morning. Temptation can hit suddenly like a dart (Ephesians 6:16). We don’t know how close we are to falling into sin unless God holds us up.
Peter insisted again: “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you” (Matthew 26:35). He now imagined the worst-case scenario—facing death—and claimed he would stay faithful. He thought he knew himself and what he would do, but he was wrong. It’s easy to speak bravely about dying for Christ when the danger is far away, but much harder when it comes close.
The other disciples agreed with Peter. They all said the same. This shows how even sincere followers can overestimate their strength. We often believe we can handle more than we really can, simply because we don’t know our own weakness. Those who are most confident in themselves often fall the hardest. That’s when Satan strikes, and God sometimes allows us to fall in order to humble us (1 Corinthians 10:12).