Matthew 26:33 - Exposition

Peter answered and said unto him . This self-confident answer seems to have been made after he had received the warning recorded by St. Luke ( Luke 22:31 ), "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat; but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not." He cannot believe that he, the rock man, can be guilty of such defection. Though all [men] shall be offended because of ( ἐν , verse 31) thee . The addition of "men" in the Authorized Version alters the intended meaning. Peter contrasts himself with his fellow disciples. Though they all should fall away, he, at any rate, would remain steadfast. He could not endure to be included in the "all ye" of Jesus' warning (verse 31); and as for failing "this night," he will never at any time ( οὐδε ì ποτε ) be offended in Christ. Commenting on his offence, St. Chrysostom says, "The matters of blame were two: both that he gainsaid Christ, and that he set himself before others; or, rather, a third, too, namely, that he attributed all to himself."