Matthew 26:31-35

§ 125. THE INTIMATION TO THE DISCIPLES AND TO PETER OF THEIR DESERTION AND HIS DENIALS, Matthew 26:31-35 .

This passage Matthew inserts out of its true order. It is to be considered not as occurring after, but before leaving the table, and before the extended discourses recorded by John. To take in the full account of all the intimations given to the reluctant Peter of his denials, we must read in the following order: John 13:36-38; Matthew 26:31-33; Luke 22:31-33; Matthew 26:34-35. We thus find that before leaving the supper-table our Lord gave Peter three warnings of his folly. This of Matthew is the second. As it is the self-confidence of Peter that induces the first warning of our Lord, so, through all the three, Peter retains his protestations that he will prefer death rather than unfaithfulness.