John 18:26 kjv
One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
John 18:26 nkjv
One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?"
John 18:26 niv
One of the high priest's servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, "Didn't I see you with him in the garden?"
John 18:26 esv
One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"
John 18:26 nlt
But one of the household slaves of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, "Didn't I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?"
John 18 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| John 18:25 | Peter denied it again... | Direct Context |
| Acts 4:13 | They saw Peter and John were ordinary men. | Peter's Boldness |
| Matthew 26:71 | Peter went to the gateway where another servant saw him. | Synoptic Parallel |
| Mark 14:69 | Peter denied it again, and the rooster crowed a second time. | Synoptic Parallel |
| Luke 22:58 | A servant girl accused Peter. | Synoptic Parallel |
| John 13:38 | Jesus predicted Peter's denial. | Fulfillment of Prophecy |
| John 1:44, 46 | Philip and Nathanael were from Bethsaida in Galilee. | Association with Galilean Disciples |
| Isaiah 9:1-2 | Prophecy of light in Galilee. | Galilee's Significance |
| Matthew 4:15 | Fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in Galilee. | Galilee's Significance |
| Matthew 11:23-24 | Woes to Capernaum in Galilee. | Galilee's Importance |
| John 1:45 | Jesus found Philip from Galilee. | Galilean Origin |
| John 7:41 | Controversy about Jesus being from Galilee. | Galilee as a Mark of Identity |
| John 7:52 | No prophet comes from Galilee. | Prejudice against Galilee |
| John 4:44 | Jesus did not accept honor in His own country. | Jesus' Ministry Location |
| Acts 1:8 | Disciples would be His witnesses from Jerusalem to the end. | Role of Disciples |
| 1 Peter 1:1 | Peter identifies himself as an apostle. | Peter's Future Role |
| Galatians 2:9 | Peter, James, and John were pillars of the church. | Peter's Importance |
| 1 Corinthians 1:12 | Divisions among disciples, identifying with leaders. | Loyalty to Teachers |
| John 21:2 | Peter was present with other Galileans. | Peter's Post-Resurrection Activity |
| Acts 2:7 | Witnesses were astonished by the Galilean dialect. | Galilean Identity at Pentecost |
John 18 verses
John 18 26 Meaning
The verse records a servant of the High Priest accusing Peter of being one of Jesus' disciples, directly linking him to Jesus by mentioning his association with "Galilee." This accusation confirms Peter's presence and identification with Jesus' followers at a critical moment.
John 18 26 Context
This verse occurs during Jesus' trial before the High Priest Caiaphas. Peter, having followed Jesus into the courtyard of the High Priest's palace, is standing by the fire warming himself. He has already been questioned by a servant girl who recognized him as being with Jesus. The current accusation is made by another individual present in the courtyard, identifying Peter as being from Galilee, Jesus' region, thus implicating him as a follower. This scene unfolds during the darkest hours of Jesus' ministry, as His disciples are scattered and fearful.
John 18 26 Word Analysis
- Ὃ οὖν (Ho oun): "And therefore" or "Now then." This conjunction connects this statement to what has just been said or the situation.
- εἶπεν (eipen): "said." The verb is in the aorist tense, indicating a simple past action.
- ὁ οἰκέτης (ho oiketēs): "the servant" or "the domestic slave." Refers to someone who belonged to the household of the High Priest. This points to the immediate circle and staff of the religious authorities.
- τοῦ ἀρχιερέως (tou archiereōs): "of the High Priest." The High Priest was the chief religious authority of Judaism. This places the accusation within the very seat of power opposing Jesus.
- ἐκ συγγενῶν (ek syngenōn): "a relative of him" or "one of the relatives." This clarifies the relationship of the servant, suggesting he was a kinsman of Malchus, the servant whose ear Peter had cut off (John 18:26). This familial connection would heighten the intensity of the encounter.
- ἦς (ēis): "was." (Past tense of 'to be').
- ἀποκεκομμένος (apokekommenos): "having been cut off." Refers to Malchus's ear. The servant is linking Peter directly to the act of violence against someone within the High Priest's household.
- ὁ οὖς (ho ous): "the ear." The specific body part damaged.
- Πέτρου (Petrou): "of Peter." Identifies the perpetrator of the action.
- οὐκ ἐγώ (ouk egō): "Did I not see you with him?" This is the question implied by the context and the accusatory statement that follows. The KJV/NKJV translates it as "Did not I see thee in the garden with him?".
Group Analysis: The accusation is a direct linking of Peter to Jesus through his Galilean origin and his participation in a violent incident at the courtyard of the High Priest. The phrase "a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off" establishes a personal connection and motive for the accusation, making it more potent. The structure emphasizes the eyewitness account and the implication that Peter's presence at the scene confirms his discipleship.
John 18 26 Bonus Section
The emotional and societal context of Galilean identity in first-century Judea was complex. Galileans were often viewed as uncultured, provincial, and even politically suspect by those in Jerusalem. Therefore, being identified as "from Galilee" was not a neutral descriptor; it could carry negative connotations and mark one as an outsider or someone associated with a perceived troublemaker like Jesus. This aspect adds another layer to the pressure Peter faced, as his very identity was being used against him by those connected to the powerful establishment in Jerusalem.
John 18 26 Commentary
This verse marks a crucial moment in Peter's denial. The servant's identification of Peter's Galilean origin is significant. Galilee was where Jesus, and consequently most of His disciples, hailed from. Accusations often hinged on regional affiliations, implying loyalty to Jesus and therefore opposition to the ruling religious elite. The servant's reference to Malchus's ear further cements Peter's presence and involvement in the events leading to Jesus' arrest. This direct accusation puts Peter on the spot, intensifying the pressure that leads to his third denial. It highlights how easily loyalties and affiliations could be recognized and exploited during this volatile period. The enemy's aim is always to identify and isolate believers from Christ.