What a shameful travesty of justice! When men yield themselves to violence like this, their passion condemns them as perpetrating the devil's work. But in the whirlwind of abuse and horror, the one thing that hurt our Lord was the defection of Peter, Luke 22:61.
It was love that led him to dare to follow to the court. John contrived to get him in, John 18:16. But he stood too near the fire amid that motley group, who were discussing their night adventure. He had been too self-confident, John 13:36; he had not watched unto prayer, Matthew 26:40. The more he cursed and swore, the more he betrayed his Galilean brogue. Ah, the agony that ensued! Did he rush off to Gethsemane, and throw himself on the bent grass, where the form of the Master had so recently lain prostrate? Did his tears mingle with the sweat of blood? But Jesus loved him still, and was preparing a propitiation that would cleanse his sin, as He had already secured that his faith should not fail, Luke 22:32. [source]
Chapter Summary: Matthew 26
1Jesus foretells his own death 3The rulers conspire against him 6The woman anoints his feet 14Judas bargains to betray him 17Jesus eats the Passover; 26institutes his holy supper; 30foretells the desertion of his disciples, and Peter's denial; 36prays in the garden; 47and being betrayed by a kiss, 57is carried to Caiaphas, 69and denied by Peter
Greek Commentary for Matthew 26:72
With an oath [μετα ορκου] This time Peter added an oath, probably a former habit so common to the Jews at that time, and denied acquaintance with Jesus. He even refers to Jesus as “the man” (τον αντρωπον ton anthrōpon), an expression that could convey contempt, “the fellow.” [source]
The man [] As if he did not know Jesus' name. [source]
What do the individual words in Matthew 26:72 mean?
Greek Commentary for Matthew 26:72
This time Peter added an oath, probably a former habit so common to the Jews at that time, and denied acquaintance with Jesus. He even refers to Jesus as “the man” (τον αντρωπον ton anthrōpon), an expression that could convey contempt, “the fellow.” [source]
As if he did not know Jesus' name. [source]