Matthew 26:73
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.
Original Language Analysis
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
1 of 23
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
προσελθόντες
came unto him they
G4334
προσελθόντες
came unto him they
Strong's:
G4334
Word #:
4 of 23
to approach, i.e., (literally) come near, visit, or (figuratively) worship, assent to
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἑστῶτες
that stood by
G2476
ἑστῶτες
that stood by
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
6 of 23
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 23
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρῳ
to Peter
G4074
Πέτρῳ
to Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
9 of 23
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
one of
G1537
ἐξ
one of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
13 of 23
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
14 of 23
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 #:
16 of 23
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γὰρ
for
G1063
γὰρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
17 of 23
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
Historical Context
Galilean dialect was distinctive—pronunciation of gutturals and certain consonants differed from Judean speech. This marked Galileans as rustic, uneducated (Acts 4:13). The Talmud later mocked Galilean pronunciation. Peter's accent, once proof he'd been with Jesus, now became evidence he denied. John 18:26 adds that one bystander was relative of Malchus (whose ear Peter cut off), adding personal reason to press the identification. Multiple lines of evidence convicted Peter—he was trapped.
Questions for Reflection
- How do your speech patterns, habits, and cultural markers reveal your true identity regardless of your verbal claims?
- What does Peter's inescapable Galilean accent teach about the impossibility of hidden discipleship—your life will reveal your master?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee (μετὰ μικρὸν δὲ προσελθόντες οἱ ἑστῶτες εἶπον τῷ Πέτρῳ, Ἀληθῶς καὶ σὺ ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶ, καὶ γὰρ ἡ λαλιά σου δῆλόν σε ποιεῖ)—After μικρόν ('a little while,' perhaps 15-30 minutes), bystanders (οἱ ἑστῶτες, 'those standing by') confronted Peter. The adverb ἀληθῶς ('truly, certainly, surely') shows they were convinced. The phrase ἐξ αὐτῶν ('one of them,' i.e., Jesus's disciples) identified Peter by association. The evidence: καὶ γὰρ ἡ λαλιά σου δῆλόν σε ποιεῖ ('for even your speech makes you evident')—his Galilean accent betrayed his origin.
Peter couldn't hide—his speech patterns marked him. This is ironic: earlier he wanted to speak for Jesus (16:22; 17:4; 26:35); now his speech pattern speaks against his denials. Our words inevitably reveal our identity (12:34, 37). Peter's accent connected him to 'Jesus of Galilee' (v. 69). Geography, culture, patterns—all reveal associations we can't fully hide. The lesson: attempted anonymity fails; our lives speak regardless of our words. Peter learned that denying Christ with words while everything else identifies you with Him creates cognitive dissonance others recognize.