What Does Matthew 26:33 Mean in the King James?
Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Peter’s “never” answers a prediction made with the very word he repeats: he believes he can be exempt from the stumble.
THE MEANING
You can feel certain that your resolve will hold even when everyone else fails. The verse shows that confidence speaking before the moment reveals its limit.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie is that confidence in your own steadiness proves you are beyond failure.
THE ROOT
σκανδαλισθήσομαι
skandalisthēsomai
GROWS FROM
σκανδαλίζω
skandalizō
To cause someone to stumble or be caught by a snare; to trip or entrap.
This is the same verb Jesus uses one verse earlier when he says all the disciples will stumble; its word family also names a snare or obstacle that trips someone. English “offended” can sound like hurt feelings, while the shared word holds the stronger image of being caught and made to fall.
ALSO GROWS
skándalon: A snare or stumbling block.
σκάνδαλον
The noun makes the trap-image inside “offended” visible: Peter is speaking about a fall he believes he will escape.
skandalizō: To cause someone to stumble or to take offense.
σκανδαλίζω
The same verb appears in Jesus’ prediction and Peter’s reply, tying his assurance to the very stumble he denies.
Πέτρος
Petros
GROWS FROM
πέτρ-
petr-
Stone or rock.
Peter’s name carries the stone image, so the sentence holds a quiet tension: the one called Stone says he cannot be tripped. His name does not settle what the moment will reveal.
ALSO GROWS
petra: Rock or rocky ground.
πέτρα
The related rock-word makes Peter’s stone-name nature audible beneath the English name.
Petros: Stone; Peter’s name.
Πέτρος
The name’s stone image sharpens the contrast between appearing solid and claiming immunity to a fall.
THE PATTERN
Confidence that one stands can conceal how near a fall already is.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.THE THREAD
Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.Jesus uses the same Greek verb, σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), meaning to stumble or be tripped, when he says all will stumble. Peter’s answer takes that shared word and makes himself the exception, placing his confidence inside the very fall the prediction names.
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