John 18 16

John 18:16 kjv

But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

John 18:16 nkjv

But Peter stood at the door outside. Then the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought Peter in.

John 18:16 niv

but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.

John 18:16 esv

but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in.

John 18:16 nlt

Peter had to stay outside the gate. Then the disciple who knew the high priest spoke to the woman watching at the gate, and she let Peter in.

John 18 verses

John 18 16 Meaning

This verse describes Peter's interaction with the high priest's servant girl. She recognizes Peter as one of Jesus' companions. The dialogue sets the stage for Peter's denial.

John 18 16 Context

This verse occurs in John's Gospel during the Passion week, specifically as Jesus is being interrogated. Peter, following Jesus at a distance, enters the courtyard of the high priest's house. This event follows Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The atmosphere is tense and hostile towards Jesus and his followers. The scene is set after Jesus' apprehension and before his trial by the Sanhedrin. The immediate context is Peter trying to get warm by the fire while waiting.

John 18 16 Word Analysis

• And (καὶ - kai): A conjunctive particle, linking clauses. Here, it connects Peter's movement into the courtyard with the servant girl's recognition and questioning.
• Peter (Πέτρος - Petros): A proper noun, meaning "rock" or "stone." The name given to Simon by Jesus (John 1:42).
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• that (δὲ - de): A postpositive particle, often used to introduce a contrast or to transition. It separates Peter's action from the next statement.
• disciple (μαθητὴς - mathētēs): Meaning "learner," "pupil," or "follower."
• other (ἄλλος - allos): Means "another," "different." Refers to another disciple, unnamed in this account, but traditionally identified with the author John.
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• knew (ἦν - ēn): The imperfect tense of the verb "to be." Here, it implies a state of being or knowing, "was known."
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• door (πύλην - pulēn): Noun meaning "gate" or "doorway." Refers to the entrance of the courtyard.
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• the (ἡ - hē): Definite article.
• doorkeeper (θυρωρὸς - thurōros): Noun meaning "gatekeeper" or "doorkeeper." A servant responsible for guarding an entrance.
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• and (καὶ - kai): Conjunction.
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• the (τῇ - tē): Definite article.
• servant (παιδίσκῃ - paidiskē): Noun, a young girl, a maidservant.
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• girl (αὕτη - hautē): Demonstrative pronoun, "this one." Refers back to the "servant girl."
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• who (ἥτις - hētis): Relative pronoun, "who" or "which."
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• opened (ἀνοίγει - anoigei): Verb, present tense of ἀνοίγω (anoigō), "to open." In this context, she is the one managing the entrance.
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• said (εἶπεν - eipen): Verb, aorist tense of λέγω (legō), "to say."
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• to (αὐτῷ - autō): Pronoun, "to him," referring to Peter.
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• that (ὅτι - hoti): Conjunction introducing a clause.
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• one (εἷς - heis): Cardinal number, "one."
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• Jesus' (τοῦ Ἰησοῦ - tou Iēsou): Genitive case of Jesus, indicating possession or association.
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• was (ἦν - ēn): Imperfect tense of "to be."
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• companion (συνήθης - synēthēs): Adjective, meaning "customary," "usual," or in this context, "intimate companion" or "associate."

Words Group Analysis:

• "And Peter followed Him, and another disciple." (Καὶ Σίμων Πέτρος ἠκολούθει τῷ Ἰησοῦ καὶ ἄλλος μαθητής - Kai Simōn Petros ēkoloúthei tō Iēsou kai allos mathētēs)

  • "Followed" (ἠκολούθει - ēkoloúthei) is in the imperfect tense, indicating continuous action. Peter and the other disciple were actively and persistently following Jesus.
  • The "another disciple" being with Peter implies a prior relationship and shared experience, possibly already known to the high priest's household.

• "Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest." (ἦν δὲ ὁ μαθητὴς ἐκεῖνος γνώριμος τῷ ἀρχιερεῖ καὶ εἰσῆλθεν σὺν τῷ Ἰησοῦ εἰς τὴν αὐλὴν τοῦ ἀρχιερέως - ēn de ho mathētēs ekeinos gnōrimos tō archierei kai eisēlthen syn tō Iēsou eis tēn aulēn tou archiereōs)

  • "Known" (γνώριμος - gnōrimos) implies a level of familiarity or acquaintance. This facilitated entry for this disciple, and Peter followed him.
  • The courtyard (αὐλὴν - aulēn) of the high priest would have been an inner area, not publicly accessible.

• "But the doorkeeper/gatekeeper that opened unto Peter, said unto him..." (τῇ δὲ θυρωρῷ τῇ ἀνοίξασῃ τὸν Πέτρον, εἶπεν αὐτῷ - tē de thurōrō tē anoixasē ton Petron, eipen autō)

  • The term for "doorkeeper" or "gatekeeper" (θυρωρὸς - thurōros) denotes a guard or attendant at an entrance.
  • "that opened unto Peter" (τῇ ἀνοίξασῃ τὸν Πέτρον - tē anoixasē ton Petron): This is a participial phrase. It might mean the gatekeeper who opened the gate for Peter, or more likely, she was the one who, upon seeing Peter, let him in. The latter interpretation is more common given the narrative flow. This particular gatekeeper is a servant girl.

• "that he was one of the companions of Jesus." (ὅτι συνήθης ἦν τῷ Ἰησοῦ - hoti synēthēs ēn tō Iēsou)

  • "Companion" (συνήθης - synēthēs) is significant. It doesn't just mean a passerby; it implies an association or belonging to Jesus' circle. She recognizes him not merely as present, but as being connected to Jesus.

John 18 16 Bonus Section

The "other disciple" (identified by tradition as John) knowing the high priest is a notable detail. This familiarity suggests a background that might differ from the more publicly known disciples like Peter. The imperfect tense used for "followed" (ἠκολούθει) emphasizes the sustained nature of Peter's pursuit, even into dangerous territory, a stark contrast to his subsequent denials. The servant girl's ability to identify Peter as a companion underscores how recognizable Jesus' disciples were, even amidst the chaos and crowds.

John 18 16 Commentary

This verse details the entry of Peter and another disciple into the high priest's courtyard. The critical element is the recognition by the doorkeeper girl. Her ability to question Peter indicates her familiarity with Jesus and his followers. The other disciple's prior acquaintance with the high priest granted them access, and Peter followed. The girl's specific question to Peter ("Are you not also one of this man's disciples?") directly links him to Jesus, initiating the confrontation that will lead to his denial. This moment highlights the immediate danger for Jesus' close followers and Peter's initial attempts to remain inconspicuous, which will quickly fail.