A little later, those standing there came up and said to Peter, “Truly you also are one of them, for your speech also gives you away.”
This statement presents the third attempt at Peter’s denial. This time it is no longer one person who recognizes him, but the crowd. Silence or an oath can no longer save him, because his speech—by its sound and accent—reveals his Galilean origin. “Your speech also gives you away” means that the manner of his speaking testifies that he is among Jesus’ disciples. This shows a deep spiritual reality: a person cannot hide his true belonging for a long time; it will certainly be expressed in speech, conduct, even in one’s manner of movement. Peter tries to hide his faith, but his inner identity itself exposes him. This trial is the final boundary, when a person stands either on the path of fully denying, or of recognizing his fall and returning back.