Matthew 26:69-75
Peter’s Denial of Jesus
Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A female servant came to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” But he denied it before all of them, saying, “I do not know what you are talking about.” When he went out to the porch, another female servant saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus the Nazarene.” Again he denied it with an oath, “I do not know the man.” After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you are also one of them, for your accent betrays you.” Then he began to curse, and he swore an oath, “I do not know the man!” At that moment the cock crowed. Then Peter remembered what Jesus had said: “Before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.
About the Picture
“The Denial of Peter” is a masterful creation by the renowned artist Rembrandt, completed in the year 1660. This oil painting on canvas exemplifies the Baroque period and incorporates elements of Tenebrism, a style distinguished by dramatic contrasts between light and darkness. It measures 169 by 154 centimeters and falls under the genre of religious painting, currently held in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The painting portrays a powerful biblical moment when the Apostle Peter denies knowing Jesus Christ, as prophesied before Jesus’ crucifixion. The composition is bathed in shadows and selective illumination, drawing attention to the central figure of Peter, whose expression is a mixture of anxiety and bewilderment. The harsh light highlights his face and the accusatory hand gesture of the woman beside him, while the surrounding figures are mostly engulfed in darkness, creating a sense of tension and immediacy. The use of chiaroscuro is pivotal in adding depth and emotional intensity to the scene, allowing the viewer to feel the weight of Peter’s betrayal. Rembrandt’s skill in conveying human emotion and his meticulous attention to the play of light and shadow culminate in this profound work, showcasing his mastery of the Baroque style and religious narrative.
The denial of Peter (1660) by Rembrandt – Artchive
Interactive Map
Matthew places Peter in the courtyard of the high priest during the formal interrogation of Jesus. First-century Jewish sources (e.g., Mishnah Sanhedrin 4:1) confirm that such hearings often took place at night in the high priest’s residence, which archaeologists have located on the southwestern hill of Jerusalem; extant courtyard pavements and cisterns match the Gospels’ descriptions of a fire-lit, multi-level compound.
