Day: January 10, 2024

Wednesday, January 10, 2024

“And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew” (Luke 22:59,60 KJV).

How was Peter the Apostle being preposterous?

“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene” (Matthew 2:23). Therefore, throughout His earthly ministry, the Lord bore the title “Jesus of Nazareth.” Nazareth was in Galilee, northern Israel, no more than a day’s journey southwest of the Sea of Galilee. “And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” (Matthew 21:11). “And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by” (Luke 18:37). Also see John 1:45,46; John 18:5,7; and John 19:19.

On the night of Christ’s trial, Peter was accused the first time as follows: “And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth” (Mark 14:67). Peter denied. The allegation is put forth a second time: “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” (Matthew 26:71). Peter denies again. Now, the third charge. Matthew 26:73 reads, “Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth [variation of ‘betrayeth’] thee.” Mark 14:70 has it, “Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.” Today’s Scripture confirms the charge: “for he is a Galilaean.”

Based on these passages, we infer the Galilaeans had a thick, noticeable accent that revealed their northern extraction to those living down south in Judaea (suburbs of Jerusalem, where Christ’s trial was being held). John 1:44 reveals how Bethsaida (on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee) was Peter’s hometown. Peter’s Galilaean pronunciation of words gave away the fact that, despite his protests, he was associated with Jesus of Nazareth (remember, of Galilee). The unfortunate Apostle was truly better off saying nothing every time an allegation was made against him….