Matthew 26:31-35 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial

³¹ Then Jesus said [to His disciples], "All of you will have doubts about me tonight, for it is written [Zech. 13:7], 'I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered everywhere.'

³² But after I am raised up, I will go on ahead of you to Galilee."

³³ Peter answered Him, "[Even] if everyone [else] has doubts about you, I never will."

³⁴ Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, this [very] night, before the rooster crows, you will deny [knowing] me three times."

³⁵ Peter replied to Him, "Even if I have to die with you, still I will not deny [knowing] you." And all [the rest of] the disciples said the same thing.

²⁷ Then Jesus said to His disciples, "All of you will have doubts about me, for it is written [Zech. 13:7], 'I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered everywhere.'

²⁸ However, after I am raised up, I will go on ahead of you to Galilee."

²⁹ But Peter said to Him, "Although everyone else will have doubts [about you], I never will."

³⁰ And Jesus said to him, "Truly I tell you, today, in fact this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny [knowing] me three times."

³¹ But Peter kept insisting emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, still I will not deny [knowing] you." And all the rest of the disciples spoke the same way.

³¹ "Simon, Simon [i.e., Peter], Satan has earnestly requested the right to sift you like wheat. [Note: Grain was sifted by using a sieve-like device in which grain and particles of dirt and straw were shaken together, allowing the grain to fall through while the dirt and straw remained. This was an allusion to the agitating trials Peter was soon to endure, and survive]. ³² But I prayed earnestly for you, that your faith would not fail [to be strong]. And when you have turned back [i.e., from going astray briefly], provide [spiritual] support to your brothers."

³³ And Peter replied, "Lord, I am ready to go to prison and to death with you."

³⁴ And Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, you will deny [even] knowing me three times before the rooster crows today."

³¹ Then after Judas left, Jesus said, "Now the Son of man is [being] glorified [Note: Being "glorified" involved Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The first step of this had now begun]. And God is [being] glorified through the Son's life. ³² And if God is [so] glorified through Him [now], God will [also] glorify the Son in Himself very soon. [Note: Possibly this was a reference to Jesus returning to the Father's presence].

³³ "I will be with you, [my dear] children, for only a little while [longer]. You people will look for me, but I am now telling you what I told the Jewish authorities, 'You will not be able to go where I will be.'

³⁴ I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. Also you should love one another in the same way that I have loved you. ³⁵ If you love one another, then everyone will know by [observing] this that you are my disciples."

³⁶ Simon Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, where are you going?" Jesus answered, "You cannot follow me where I am going now, but you will [be able to] follow later."

³⁷ Peter [then] said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow you [there] even now? I am willing to die for you."

³⁸ Jesus answered him, "Will you [really] die for me? Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny [knowing] me three times."