But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter's denial here is not a simple "I don't know Jesus," but an evasive answer—he claims ignorance of what the woman means by her accusation. This subtle shift shows how sin can begin with a clever twisting of words, attempting to distance oneself from the truth without outright lying, a common tactic even today.
But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Peter has followed Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest's palace, drawn by a mix of loyalty and perhaps curiosity, but now finds himself among those who are hostile to his Master. As he tries to stay inconspicuous, a servant girl challenges him, asking if he was with Jesus, a question that marks the beginning of his denial. This denial escalates as he's confronted again, this time by a group, leading him to vehemently renounce Jesus to save himself.
Peter's denial didn't happen in one go. It was a terrifying slide, each step taking him further from Jesus.
Peter's fall was a process, not a single moment of weakness. Initially, he 'followed at a distance' (Mark 14:54). When questioned by a servant girl, he denied knowing Jesus with a simple 'I do not know what you mean.' This was an evasive denial, trying to distance himself from the accusation.
But as the pressure mounted, so did his sin. A second question led to a more forceful denial, this time 'with an oath.' Finally, when confronted again, he escalated to cursing and swearing, a desperate attempt to sever all ties. This progression shows how sin, once indulged, can quickly gain ground, leading us to depths we never thought we'd reach.
Peter's presence in the high priest's courtyard was a dangerous choice. How did his earlier confidence contribute to his downfall?
Peter’s mistake began with his proximity to danger. He followed Jesus 'into the palace of the high priest' (Luke 22:54) and sat 'without in the palace' (Matthew 26:69), warming himself among the servants. This place of potential temptation, rather than a place of prayer or quiet reflection, set him up for failure.
Furthermore, Peter's earlier, perhaps overconfident, assertion of loyalty ('though they all fall away, I will never fall away' - Matthew 26:33) may have made him less cautious. He likely underestimated his own weakness and the power of fear. This incident serves as a stark reminder: self-reliance, especially after moments of spiritual high-tide, can be a precursor to a devastating fall.
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Peter didn't just say 'I don't know Jesus.' He used words to create a wall of plausible deniability.
Peter's denial, 'I know not what you mean,' wasn't a straightforward declaration of ignorance about Jesus. It was a clever, albeit pathetic, attempt to sidestep the accusation without outright lying about his knowledge of Jesus himself. He feigned confusion about the implication of the question, as if to say, 'Why are you asking me this? I have no idea what you're talking about.'
This 'evasive denial' highlights a critical point: sometimes our sin isn't a loud, defiant rejection, but a quiet, calculated withdrawal. It's the subtle twisting of words, the feigning of misunderstanding, the avoidance of clear commitment. It’s a way of trying to maintain a semblance of innocence while actively distancing ourselves from Christ.
Understand the original words
arneomai · Greek Verb
To renounce, disown, or refuse to acknowledge a person or relationship. It signifies a breach of faith or commitment.
Peter's denial occurred during the intense and dangerous events immediately following Jesus' arrest, highlighting the immense pressure and fear disciples faced.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Arrest and Trial
Following his betrayal by Judas, Jesus was arrested and underwent a series of trials before the Jewish Sanhedrin and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate.
c. AD 30
Peter's Denial
While Jesus was being interrogated, the apostle Peter, fearing for his own safety, denied knowing Jesus three times in the courtyard of the high priest's house.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Crucifixion
After his trials, Jesus was condemned and crucified by the Roman authorities outside Jerusalem.
c. AD 30
Jesus' Resurrection
Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus was resurrected from the dead, appearing to his followers.
c. AD 30-33
Early Church Growth
Following Jesus' ascension, the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles, leading to the rapid spread of the Christian message.
This passage from John's Gospel provides a parallel account of Peter's denial, highlighting the specific question asked by one of the servants of the high priest and Peter's direct denial, showing the consistency of the event across different Gospel perspectives.
Luke 22:57-58Luke's Gospel records a similar denial, emphasizing that Peter was sitting by the fire, making him more visible, and that the charge was made by a maid. This adds sensory detail and highlights the lowliness of Peter's position when he denied Jesus.
Mark 14:71Mark's Gospel details Peter's further denial, this time with an oath, and describes him going out into the porch. This shows the escalation of his sin and the immediate aftermath of his denial.
Matthew 26:75This verse immediately follows Peter's denial and describes his deep remorse and weeping. It serves as a powerful contrast to his sin, showing the beginning of his repentance and the profound sorrow that follows denial of Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:12Paul's warning, 'Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall,' directly echoes the lesson learned from Peter's fall. It serves as a timeless reminder to all believers about their own potential for weakness and the need for constant reliance on God.
henryMatthew 26:69-75: "Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee."
26:69-75 Peter's sin is truly related, for the Scriptures deal faithfully. Bad company leads to sin: those who needlessly thrust themselves into it, may expect to be tempted and insnared, as Peter. They scarcely can come out of such company without guilt or grief, or both. It is a great fault to be shy of Christ; and to dissemble our knowledge of him, when we are ca…
clarkeMatthew 26:70: "But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest."
But he denied before them all - So the evil principle gains ground. Before, he followed at a distance, now he denies; this is the second gradation in his fall.
Peter's denial here is not a simple "I don't know Jesus," but an evasive answer—he claims ignorance of what the woman means by her accusation. This subtle shift shows how sin can begin with a clever twisting of words, attempting to distance oneself from the truth without outright lying, a common tactic even today.
Peter has followed Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest's palace, drawn by a mix of loyalty and perhaps curiosity, but now finds himself among those who are hostile to his Master. As he tries to stay inconspicuous, a servant girl challenges him, asking if he was with Jesus, a question that marks the beginning of his denial. This denial escalates as he's confronted again, this time by a group, leading him to vehemently renounce Jesus to save himself.
Peter has followed Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest's palace, drawn by a mix of loyalty and perhaps curiosity, but now finds himself among those who are hostile to his Master. As he tries to stay inconspicuous, a servant girl challenges him, asking if he was with Jesus, a question that marks the beginning of his denial. This denial escalates as he's confronted again, this time by a group, leading him to vehemently renounce Jesus to save himself.
"But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.”" — Peter's denial here is not a simple "I don't know Jesus," but an evasive answer—he claims ignorance of what the woman means by her accusation. This subtle shift shows how sin can begin with a cleve…
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Last reviewed October 2026