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Matthew 26:70
ESV But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you mean."
NIV But he denied it before them all. "I don’t know what you’re talking about," he said.
NASB But he denied it before them all, saying, 'I do not know what you are talking about.'
CSB But he denied it in front of everyone: "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
NLT But Peter denied it in front of everyone. 'I don’t know what you’re talking about,' he said.
KJV But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.
NKJV But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”

What does Matthew 26:70 mean?

Several hours ago, Jesus had told His disciples they would fall away—to lose courage and run—because of Him (Matthew 26:30–32). Peter insisted he would never abandon Jesus, even if everyone else did. Jesus told Peter that not only would he fall away, but he would even deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. Peter insisted he would die first (Matthew 26:33–35). The bravery shown when he lashed out in the garden (Matthew 26:51; John 18:10) seems to have passed.

Peter now comes to the predicted moment of choice. He is in the courtyard of the high priest's home (Matthew 26:69). Perhaps he has heard the judgment from inside that Jesus has been found guilty by the Sanhedrin and condemned to die. This is not where Jesus wants Him to be (John 18:8), but Peter has come, anyway. A servant girl has approached Peter. She is sure he is one of those with Jesus. At least part of this is due to Peter's distinctive Galilean accent (Matthew 26:73).

Now Peter chooses not to face risk, but to deny Jesus "before them all." He pleads ignorance: the first of his three denials of Christ.
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