Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter wasn't just "standing there"; he was deliberately "warming himself" by a fire. This seemingly casual act placed him physically among Jesus' accusers and made him conspicuous, prompting them to challenge him and leading to his denial.
Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus is being interrogated by the high priest, Peter lingers outside the courtyard, trying to stay warm by a fire. The servants and officers present, already suspicious, challenge him directly, and in a moment of fear, Peter denies knowing Jesus. This denial is a pivotal moment, occurring shortly after Jesus was taken to Annas, and leading directly to further accusations and the eventual crowing of the rooster.
Peter sought physical comfort, but found himself in spiritual danger. What draws us close to compromising situations?
The Danger of Complacency
Peter's decision to stand by the fire, warming himself among the very people who had arrested Jesus, seems innocent enough. It was cold, and he was seeking comfort. However, this physical closeness led to a spiritual crisis.
Blurring the Lines
One small lie, born of fear, can quickly spiral. How does denial lead to deeper deception?
The Domino Effect of Deception
Ask a follow-up
Peter's denial wasn't a single, isolated event. It was the beginning of a terrifying chain reaction.
The First Step Down
Understand the original words
mathetes · Greek Noun
A follower, pupil, or learner who adheres to the teachings of a master. In the New Testament, it specifically refers to those who follow Jesus, characterized by belief in Him, adherence to His commands, and public association with His ministry.
arneomai · Greek Verb
The act of disowning, refusing to acknowledge, or rejecting association with a person or claim. Biblically, it often denotes a failure to confess Christ before men, contrary to the call to discipleship.
c. AD 30, evening
Jesus Arrested in Garden
Jesus is arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane by a contingent of Roman soldiers and Jewish temple guards.
c. AD 30, night
Jesus Taken to Annas
Jesus is first taken to the home of Annas, the former high priest, where preliminary questioning occurs.
c. AD 30, night
Peter Enters the High Priest's Courtyard
Peter, following Jesus at a distance, gains entry into the courtyard of the high priest's palace, where a fire is burning for warmth.
c. AD 30, night
First Denial by Peter
A servant girl at the high priest's gate questions Peter, who denies knowing Jesus.
c. AD 30, night— this verse
Second Denial by Peter
While Peter is standing and warming himself by the fire in the courtyard, others question him, and he denies knowing Jesus for a second time.
c. AD 30, night
Third Denial by Peter
A kinsman of Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off, and others, confront Peter. He denies knowing Jesus a third time, just as a rooster crows and Jesus looks at him.
This passage describes the very same denial by Peter, highlighting the immediate question from a servant girl and Peter's first denial when asked if he was with Jesus.
Mark 14:67Mark's account also presents Peter's denial in similar circumstances, emphasizing his presence by the fire and the question that led to his refusal to identify himself as a disciple.
Luke 22:55Luke's Gospel places Peter by the fire, warming himself, and records the question posed to him by a servant, underscoring the setting that led to his denial and the unfolding of this critical moment.
John 13:38This earlier passage in John records Jesus' direct prediction to Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed, setting the stage for the events described in John 18:25.
Galatians 2:11-13This passage shows Peter's later hypocrisy, demonstrating that even after his denial and restoration, he could still falter in his commitment, illustrating the ongoing struggle with fear and external pressure that Peter faced.
henryJohn 18:13-27: "And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year."
18:13-27 Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we…
cambridgeJohn 18:25: "And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not."
25 . And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself ] Better, Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself ( John 18:18 ). They said therefore ] The movement in taking Jesus from Annas to Caiaphas once more attracted attention to the stranger by the fire. Art not thou also ] Rather, Art thou also (see on John 18:17 ). A look of sympathy an…
Peter wasn't just "standing there"; he was deliberately "warming himself" by a fire. This seemingly casual act placed him physically among Jesus' accusers and made him conspicuous, prompting them to challenge him and leading to his denial.
As Jesus is being interrogated by the high priest, Peter lingers outside the courtyard, trying to stay warm by a fire. The servants and officers present, already suspicious, challenge him directly, and in a moment of fear, Peter denies knowing Jesus. This denial is a pivotal moment, occurring shortly after Jesus was taken to Annas, and leading directly to further accusations and the eventual crowing of the rooster.
As Jesus is being interrogated by the high priest, Peter lingers outside the courtyard, trying to stay warm by a fire. The servants and officers present, already suspicious, challenge him directly, and in a moment of fear, Peter denies knowing Jesus. This denial is a pivotal moment, occurring shortly after Jesus was taken to Annas, and leading directly to further accusations and the eventual crowing of the rooster.
"Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”" — Peter wasn't just "standing there"; he was deliberately "warming himself" by a fire. This seemingly casual act placed him physically among Jesus' accusers and made him conspicuous, prompting them to…
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Last reviewed October 2026