Matthew Chapter 26 · Verse 71
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
εἰς
into
G1519
εἰς
into
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
4 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πυλῶνα
the porch
G4440
πυλῶνα
the porch
Strong's:
G4440
Word #:
6 of 20
a gate-way, door-way of a building or city; by implication, a portal or vestibule
εἶδεν
maid saw
G1492
εἶδεν
maid saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 20
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
8 of 20
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
λέγει
said
G3004
λέγει
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 20
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Οὗτος
This
G3778
Οὗτος
This
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
15 of 20
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦ
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
18 of 20
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Historical Context
The πυλών (gateway, vestibule) was the covered entrance passage between street and courtyard—a liminal space, neither fully inside nor outside. Peter's location symbolizes his spiritual state: neither fully committed (inside with Jesus) nor completely fled (outside in streets). John 18:16-17 suggests the doorkeeper (female) questioned Peter. The multiple questioners (servant girls, bystanders) and locations (courtyard, gateway) show Peter was recognized repeatedly, each time forced to choose confession or denial.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Peter's attempted escape to the porch (rather than leaving entirely) illustrate the danger of lingering in temptation's vicinity?
- When have you tried to maintain proximity to Christ while avoiding full identification with Him—and what resulted?
Analysis & Commentary
And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth (ἐξελθόντα δὲ εἰς τὸν πυλῶνα εἶδεν αὐτὸν ἄλλη καὶ λέγει τοῖς ἐκεῖ, Οὗτος ἦν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου)—Peter's first denial didn't end his trial. He withdrew εἰς τὸν πυλῶνα (into the gateway/porch) perhaps hoping to escape notice, but ἄλλη (another) maid saw him and identified him to those present. The contemptuous οὗτος ('this fellow, this one') shows disdain. She said ἦν μετὰ Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναζωραίου ('he was with Jesus of Nazareth'), using past tense—accurately observing Peter's denial meant he was 'with Jesus' past tense.
Peter's attempted escape from temptation failed—moving locations didn't remove recognition. This teaches that fleeing temptation requires more than changing scenery; it requires confronting truth. Peter should have left entirely after first denial, but he lingered, leading to deeper sin. The progression from courtyard to porch shows attempted compromise—staying close enough to observe but far enough for deniability. Such halfway measures multiply temptation rather than escaping it (1 Corinthians 10:13-14; 2 Timothy 2:22).