Mat 26:73-74 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 73. And after a while . That is, about an hour after, (Luke.) Peter, by this time, had returned into the palace or hall, and stood warming himself by the fire, . Thy speech betrayeth thee . Your language makes it manifest that you are of his company. That is, as Mark adds, he was a Galilean ; and in this way his speech betrayed him. It is probable that the Galileans were distinguished for some peculiarity of pronunciation, perhaps some peculiar rusticity or coarseness in their manner of speaking, that distinguished them from the refinement of the capital, Jerusalem. This charge, John says, was supported by the express affirmation of a kinsman of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, that he had seen him in the garden.

Matthew 26:73-74

Verse 73. And after a while. That is, about an hour after, (Luke.) Peter, by this time, had returned into the palace or hall, and stood warming himself by the fire, Jn 18:25.

Thy speech betrayeth thee. Your language makes it manifest that you are of his company. That is, as Mark adds, he was a Galilean; and in this way his speech betrayed him. It is probable that the Galileans were distinguished for some peculiarity of pronunciation, perhaps some peculiar rusticity or coarseness in their manner of speaking, that distinguished them from the refinement of the capital, Jerusalem. This charge, John says, Jn 18:26 was supported by the express affirmation of a kinsman of Malchus, the servant of the high priest, that he had seen him in the garden. Verse 74. Then began he to curse, etc. Peter was now irritated beyond endurance. He could no longer resist the evidence that he was known. It had been repeatedly charged on him. His language had betrayed him, and there was a positive witness who had seen him. He felt it necessary, therefore, to be still more decided; and he accordingly added to the sin of denying his Lord, the deep aggravation of profane cursing and swearing; affirming, what he must have known was false, that he knew not the man. Immediately then the cock crew; that is, the second crowing, or not far from three in the morning.