Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 26:35

"Peter saith unto him, Even if I must die with thee, [yet] will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples." — Matthew 26:35 (ASV)

Peter said to him, Though I shall die with you, yet I will not deny you. Likewise also said all the disciples.

Here again Peter contradicts his Master straight to his face. It was a pity that he should have boasted once after his Lord's plain prophecy that all the disciples would that night be offended.

But it was shameful that Peter should repeat his self-confident declaration in defiance of Christ's express prediction concerning him. He was not alone in his utterance, for all the disciples also said likewise.

They all felt that under no circumstances could they deny their Lord.

We have no record of the denial of Christ by the other ten apostles, although they all abandoned him and fled, and thus practically disowned him.

Remembering all that they had seen and heard of him, and especially bearing in mind his most recent discourse, the communion in the upper room, and his wondrous intercessory prayer on their behalf, we are not surprised that they felt themselves bound to him forever.

But, alas, notwithstanding their protests, the King's prophecy was completely fulfilled, for that night they were all "offended."

Likewise also said all the disciples.

They all felt quite sure that, under no circumstances, could they be so base as to forsake their Lord; and if you think of the washing of their feet by their Lord and Master, the wonderful words of Christ to which they had listened, and that solemn communion service in the large upper room, you may not be surprised that they felt themselves bound to Christ forever—felt that they could never leave him, nor forsake him; yet they all did so.

Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.

It is a great pity that Peter said this after he had received so plain a warning from his Master, yet he was not alone in his boasting.

Here again Peter contradicts his Master straight to His face. It was a pity that he should have boasted once after his Lord’s plain prophecy that all the disciples would that night be offended because of Him. But it was shameful that Peter should repeat his self-confident declaration in the teeth of Christ’s express prediction concerning him.

He was not alone in his utterance, for all the disciples also said the same. They all felt that under no circumstances could they deny their Lord. We have no record of the denial of Christ by the other ten apostles, although they all forsook Him and fled, and thus practically disowned Him.

Remembering all that they had seen and heard of Him, and especially bearing in mind His most recent discourses, the communion in the upper room, and His wondrous intercessory prayer on their behalf, we are not surprised that they felt themselves bound to him forever. But, alas! Despite their protests, the King’s prophecy was completely fulfilled, for that night they were all “offended,” or “caused to stumble” (R.V. margin) and Peter denied his Lord three times.