And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
When Peter denies Jesus for the second time, he escalates his denial by adding an oath. This isn't just a simple lie; it's invoking God's name to confirm his falsehood, a serious step that shows his descent into fear and self-preservation. He's not just saying "I don't know him," but "I swear I don't know him," revealing how deeply compromised he's become under pressure.
And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus is being tried and condemned, Peter, one of his closest disciples, is outside warming himself by a fire. He's confronted multiple times by onlookers who recognize him as a follower of Jesus, leading to his repeated denials. This specific verse captures the third and most emphatic denial, where Peter escalates his falsehood by invoking an oath to insist he doesn't know Jesus.
Peter’s denial wasn't a single event, but a terrifying descent. How does one lie lead to another, and then to an oath?
Peter’s denial escalates rapidly, showing how a single compromise can pull us further into sin.
The First Lie:
Initially, Peter offers a simple denial: "I do not know the man" (Matthew 26:70).
The Second Denial (and the Oath):
When confronted again, he doubles down. This time, the text specifies he denies it "with an oath." This isn't just a repeat; it's an intensification. He's using God's name to back up his falsehood, a serious offense in Jewish culture.
The Third Denial (and Cursing):
Later, under further pressure, he moves to "curse and to swear," a desperate attempt to prove he doesn't know Jesus. This shows a complete abandonment of his earlier commitment.
This progression highlights a crucial truth: when we compromise on truth, even once, the temptation to go further often becomes overwhelming. Each step away from integrity makes the next step easier, and more devastating.
The words 'I do not know the man' are chillingly cold. What does this impersonal language reveal about Peter's state of heart?
Peter’s choice of words reveals a profound disconnect from Jesus.
From 'Lord' to 'The Man':
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Consider the contrast: Peter had once declared Jesus to be the 'Son of the living God' (Matthew 16:16). Now, in his moment of fear, he refers to Jesus impersonally as 'the man.'
Erasing Identity:
This phrase, 'the man,' strips Jesus of His identity, His divine claims, and His relationship with Peter. It’s as if Peter is trying to erase Jesus from his own memory and from the minds of his accusers.
The Heart of Fear:
This linguistic shift shows how fear can sever our deepest connections. When we deny Christ, we reduce Him to someone we 'don't know,' distancing ourselves from the very One who knows and loves us perfectly.
Peter, the bold disciple, crumbled under pressure. What does his fall teach us about our own reliance?
Peter’s denial serves as a stark reminder that true strength comes from God, not from our own resolve.
The Illusion of Strength:
Peter had confidently declared he would die with Jesus. Yet, when faced with a servant girl's accusation, his courage evaporated. This wasn't a gradual decline in character, but a sudden collapse, showing how quickly self-confidence can fail.
A Necessary Fall:
Commentators suggest Peter's fall was permitted by God to shatter his self-reliance. It was a painful lesson designed to lead him to humility and a greater dependence on divine power. Without this humbling experience, he might have remained overconfident and less compassionate towards others who stumbled.
Relying on the Spirit:
This incident calls us to recognize our own limitations. We are not strong enough on our own to face every temptation. True spiritual resilience is found not in our own strength, but in a humble reliance on the Holy Spirit, seeking God’s power to stand firm.
Understand the original words
arneomai · Greek Verb
To disown, renounce, or refuse to acknowledge a relationship or association with someone, particularly in the context of one's commitment to Christ.
horkos · Greek Noun
A solemn appeal to God to witness the truth of a statement, often involving a pledge of self-cursing if the statement is false.
Peter's passionate denial, escalating to an oath, highlights the human tendency to fall deeper into sin when trying to cover up an initial wrong. It also serves as a stark reminder of how quickly self-confidence can crumble under pressure, underscoring our need for God's strength.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus Arrested in Gethsemane
Following the Last Supper and Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas Iscariot leads a group of soldiers and temple guards to arrest Jesus. Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is present during the arrest.
c. AD 30
Peter Denies Jesus Three Times
While Jesus is being questioned in the courtyard of the high priest's palace, Peter, outside in the courtyard, is repeatedly identified as a follower of Jesus by onlookers. He denies knowing Jesus three times, the last time with an oath.
c. AD 30
Jesus Looks at Peter
After Peter's third denial, Jesus, who is being brought before the high priest, turns and looks directly at Peter. This moment is often understood as a powerful, convicting gaze that causes Peter to remember Jesus' prophecy.
c. AD 30
Peter Weeps Bitterly
Overwhelmed by Jesus' look and his own betrayal, Peter leaves the courtyard and weeps bitterly. This signifies deep repentance and sorrow for denying his Lord.
This passage from Luke provides another perspective on Peter's denial, highlighting the simple question that led to his denial and emphasizing the stark contrast between his bold claims and his fearful actions.
John 18:25John's Gospel records Peter's denial and also includes the accusation from the bystander, showing a slightly different wording that still conveys the same devastating truth of Peter's disloyalty.
Mark 14:70Mark's Gospel also records this second denial, noting the onlookers' perception of Peter's Galilean accent as further evidence against him, intensifying the pressure he was under.
1 Peter 5:8This verse in Peter's own letter serves as a powerful testament to his later understanding of spiritual warfare and the need for vigilance, directly informed by his own devastating failure.
Matthew 26:34-35This passage shows Jesus' prior warning to Peter that he would deny Him, making Peter's subsequent actions a tragic fulfillment of prophecy and a clear example of self-reliance leading to failure.
henryMatthew 26:69-75: "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee."
26:69-75 Peter's sin is truly related, for the Scriptures deal faithfully. Bad company leads to sin: those who needlessly thrust themselves into it, may expect to be tempted and insnared, as Peter. They scarcely can come out of such company without guilt or grief, or both. It is a great fault to be shy of Christ; and to dissemble our knowledge of him, when we are ca…
clarkeMatthew 26:72: "And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man."
And again he denied with an oath - This is a third gradation of his iniquity. He has told a lie, and he swears to support it. A liar has always some suspicion that his testimony is not credited, for he is conscious to his own falsity, and is therefore naturally led to support his assertions by oaths.
When Peter denies Jesus for the second time, he escalates his denial by adding an oath. This isn't just a simple lie; it's invoking God's name to confirm his falsehood, a serious step that shows his descent into fear and self-preservation. He's not just saying "I don't know him," but "I swear I don't know him," revealing how deeply compromised he's become under pressure.
As Jesus is being tried and condemned, Peter, one of his closest disciples, is outside warming himself by a fire. He's confronted multiple times by onlookers who recognize him as a follower of Jesus, leading to his repeated denials. This specific verse captures the third and most emphatic denial, where Peter escalates his falsehood by invoking an oath to insist he doesn't know Jesus.
As Jesus is being tried and condemned, Peter, one of his closest disciples, is outside warming himself by a fire. He's confronted multiple times by onlookers who recognize him as a follower of Jesus, leading to his repeated denials. This specific verse captures the third and most emphatic denial, where Peter escalates his falsehood by invoking an oath to insist he doesn't know Jesus.
"And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.”" — When Peter denies Jesus for the second time, he escalates his denial by adding an oath. This isn't just a simple lie; it's invoking God's name to confirm his falsehood, a serious step that shows his…
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Last reviewed October 2026