John 18:17
The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The maid’s question, phrased as "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?", strongly implies she recognized Peter was with John, whom she already knew as a disciple. This makes Peter's denial not just about himself, but also a rejection of the known disciple who brought him in.
Jesus has just been arrested and is being led away, first to Annas and then to Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter, along with another disciple known to the high priest, follows. While the other disciple gains entry to the courtyard where Jesus is being questioned, Peter waits outside until his companion vouches for him, allowing him access. It's in this tense atmosphere, amidst servants warming themselves by a fire, that a servant girl recognizes Peter and challenges his allegiance to Jesus, prompting his first denial.
Peter followed Jesus into the high priest's courtyard, but it wasn't Jesus who recognized him. It was a young woman at the door.
It’s striking how quickly Peter is identified. The maid at the door recognizes him as a disciple, even calling out, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” This implies she knew another disciple (John, who was known to the high priest) and saw Peter with him. Even though Peter tried to blend in, his demeanor or perhaps his earlier actions, like drawing a sword, gave him away. This shows that even when we think we're being discreet, our association and identity can be apparent to others.
Faced with a simple question, Peter’s bold declaration of loyalty just hours before crumbled into a flat denial.
Peter’s denial, “I am not,” is the first of three he will utter that night. It’s a stark contrast to his earlier bravery. Just hours before, he drew his sword to defend Jesus. But now, in the face of a servant girl, his courage fails. This isn’t just a slip of the tongue; it’s a choice born of fear. He fears the consequences, the potential for suffering that being a disciple of Jesus might bring in that hostile environment. This denial reveals the fragility of human strength when tested and highlights that true courage comes from God, not ourselves.
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A formal follower or learner of a teacher; in the New Testament, it refers specifically to one who adheres to the teachings and person of Jesus Christ, involving complete commitment and imitation of the Master.
Peter's denial happens in stages within the hostile environment of the High Priest's courtyard, immediately after he followed Jesus inside. The setting highlights his fear and the stark contrast between his earlier bold declarations and his present actions.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Arrest
Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after being betrayed by Judas.
c. AD 30
Jesus Before Annas
Jesus is first brought to Annas, the former High Priest, who interrogates Him. Peter waits outside.
c. AD 30— this verse
Peter Denies Jesus
While waiting in the courtyard of the High Priest's palace, Peter is questioned by a servant girl and denies knowing Jesus.
c. AD 30
Peter Denies Jesus (Second Time)
Later, another person challenges Peter, and he denies knowing Jesus again.
c. AD 30
Peter Denies Jesus (Third Time)
This passage describes Peter's denial in a similar setting, highlighting the shame and fear that led him to renounce his connection to Jesus before servants and guards.
Mark 14:66Mark's account also places Peter near a fire and being questioned by a servant girl, emphasizing Peter's denial and the contrast with his earlier bold declarations.
Luke 22:54Luke's Gospel details Peter following Jesus 'afar off' and warming himself with the guards, setting the stage for his denial due to his compromised position.
1 Corinthians 10:12This verse serves as a crucial warning that 'whoever thinks they are standing strong should be careful not to fall,' directly applicable to Peter's experience of falling due to overconfidence.
1 John 1:9This verse offers the path to restoration after failure, showing that confession and repentance lead to forgiveness, a truth Peter would later embrace after his denials.
vincentJohn 18:17: "Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not."
The damsel (ἡ παιδίσκη)See on Acts 12:13.Art thou (μὴ σὺ)The question is put in a negative form, as if expecting a negative answer: thou art not, art thou?AlsoShowing that she recognized John as a disciple.
jfbJohn 18:17: "Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not."
- Then saith the damsel that kept the door—"one of the maids of the high priest," says Mark (Mr 14:66). "When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him and said" (Mr 14:67). Luke is more graphic (Lu 22:56)—She "beheld him as he sat by the fire (literally, 'the light'), and earnestly looked on him (fixed her gaze upon him), and said." "His demeanor and…
The maid’s question, phrased as "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?", strongly implies she recognized Peter was with John, whom she already knew as a disciple. This makes Peter's denial not just about himself, but also a rejection of the known disciple who brought him in.
Jesus has just been arrested and is being led away, first to Annas and then to Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter, along with another disciple known to the high priest, follows. While the other disciple gains entry to the courtyard where Jesus is being questioned, Peter waits outside until his companion vouches for him, allowing him access. It's in this tense atmosphere, amidst servants warming themselves by a fire, that a servant girl recognizes Peter and challenges his allegiance to Jesus, prompting his first denial.
Jesus has just been arrested and is being led away, first to Annas and then to Caiaphas, the high priest. Peter, along with another disciple known to the high priest, follows. While the other disciple gains entry to the courtyard where Jesus is being questioned, Peter waits outside until his companion vouches for him, allowing him access. It's in this tense atmosphere, amidst servants warming themselves by a fire, that a servant girl recognizes Peter and challenges his allegiance to Jesus, prompting his first denial.
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A third time, those standing nearby accuse Peter of being a disciple, and he vehemently denies it.
c. AD 30
Jesus is Sent to Caiaphas
Jesus is taken to Caiaphas, the current High Priest, where the Sanhedrin convenes.
"The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.”" — The maid’s question, phrased as "You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?", strongly implies she recognized Peter was with John, whom she already knew as a disciple. This makes Peter's…
