Matthew 26:30-35, Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial

30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ 32 But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” 33 Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” 34 Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” 35 Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.

Comments

The hymn they sung presumably included some or all of Psalms 115-118, which Jews traditionally sung at the end of the Passover meal. While the disciples thought they were returning to Bethany, Jesus had no intention of going there. instead, he headed to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives to pray. On the way he explained the disciples would stumble because of his ordeal, quoting the prophet Zechariah to explain why they would desert him in Gethsemane. This prompted Peter to declare he would never abandon him. Knowing what would happen, Jesus tells Peter he will deny him three times. Jesus also reminded them one final time that he would be raised from the dead.

Prayer

Most High God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts and give us a true faith, a certain hope, and a perfect love. Give us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may do everything in fulfilment of your holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

(Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)