Luke 22 57

Luke 22:57 kjv

And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

Luke 22:57 nkjv

But he denied Him, saying, "Woman, I do not know Him."

Luke 22:57 niv

But he denied it. "Woman, I don't know him," he said.

Luke 22:57 esv

But he denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."

Luke 22:57 nlt

But Peter denied it. "Woman," he said, "I don't even know him!"

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 57 Meaning

Luke 22:57 presents Peter's first of three denials of knowing Jesus. Despite his earlier bold profession of loyalty and willingness to die with Jesus, fear takes hold as he is questioned by a servant girl in the high priest's courtyard. His immediate and resolute declaration, "Woman, I do not know him," marks a moment of profound human frailty and a stark fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy concerning his betrayal. This denial highlights the chasm between human resolve and the overwhelming pressure of adversity, yet it also sets the stage for future repentance and restoration.

Luke 22 57 Context

Luke 22:57 occurs immediately after Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane. Peter, along with other disciples, had followed Jesus from a distance to the high priest's house (Lk 22:54). While Jesus undergoes initial interrogation inside, Peter warms himself by a fire in the courtyard among others. The verse describes the critical moment when a servant girl identifies Peter as a follower of Jesus, leading to his first immediate and emphatic denial. This setting underscores the perilous atmosphere of the hour, where association with Jesus was equated with danger and potential arrest. It also contrasts Peter's previous boastful confidence with the harsh reality of imminent threat, revealing the raw human vulnerability under pressure. The overall context is one of intense spiritual warfare and physical danger, as the powers of darkness seemed to gain momentary victory against Christ and His followers.

Luke 22 57 Word analysis

• But (δὲ, de): A conjunction introducing a contrast or shift. Here, it marks a stark contrast to Peter's earlier vows of loyalty (Lk 22:33).

• he (οὗτος, houtos - implied by verb ending): Refers to Peter. The lack of explicit mention keeps the focus on the action.

• denied (ᾐρνήσατο, ērnesato): Aorist indicative, middle voice from ἀρνέομαι (arneomai), meaning "to refuse," "to contradict," "to deny." The middle voice implies Peter himself initiated or felt the force of the action, a decisive and intentional act of repudiation. This is a strong word for a full denial, not merely an evasion.

• it (αὐτὸ, auto - implied): Refers to the accusation of being one of Jesus' disciples.

• saying (λέγων, legōn): Present active participle, "speaking" or "saying." It indicates Peter's denial was an immediate verbal response.

• Woman (Γύναι, Gynai): Vocative of γυνή (gynē), meaning "woman" or "wife." While a common and not inherently rude form of address in the first century, here it serves as a dismissive and definitive way to address the servant girl and negate her assertion. It could convey a certain bluntness, emphasizing Peter's desire to end the conversation quickly and emphatically distance himself.

• I do not know (Οὐκ οἶδα, Ouk oida):

  • I (ἐγὼ, egō - implied): Emphasizes the personal nature of the denial.
  • do not (Οὐκ, Ouk): Strong negative particle, asserting an absolute denial. It denotes objective denial, a direct contradiction of a statement.
  • know (οἶδα, oida): Perfect tense verb, meaning "to know," implying a state of having come to know, therefore possessing sustained or established knowledge. Peter's statement implies he has never had any personal knowledge or acquaintance with the man, totally disavowing any connection or relationship with Jesus, rather than just saying he is unfamiliar with His activities at that moment.

• him (αὐτόν, auton): Refers to Jesus. The object of Peter's repudiation.

• Words-Group Analysis:

  • "But he denied it": This phrase highlights Peter's immediate and definitive action in response to the accusation. The active verb underscores Peter's responsibility in the denial, contrasting sharply with his earlier declaration of loyalty and demonstrating the vulnerability of human will when faced with overwhelming fear and pressure.
  • "saying, 'Woman, I do not know him.'": This complete statement is a triple denial rolled into one, involving address, direct negation, and disavowal of knowing. Peter not only refutes the claim of association but also dismisses the questioner and denies any personal or ongoing relationship ("know him"). The bluntness of "Woman" serves to distance himself, and "I do not know him" is a comprehensive denial, far beyond simply not recognizing someone. It suggests Peter never had any familiarity, contradicting his entire three years with Jesus.

Luke 22 57 Bonus section

The seemingly trivial nature of the accuser – a single servant girl – profoundly deepens the shame and poignancy of Peter's denial. It wasn't the powerful high priest or a legion of soldiers that broke Peter, but the subtle, human fear of being implicated. This detail serves to underline the universal struggle against the fear of man, which Proverbs 29:25 powerfully warns about. Furthermore, Jesus' specific prophecy regarding Peter's denial ("before the rooster crows") emphasizes His divine foreknowledge and sovereignty even over human weakness, providing comfort that God's plan unfolds even through our failures. Peter's profound brokenness after the rooster crowed (Lk 22:61-62) signifies true godly sorrow, setting him apart from Judas, whose despair led to self-destruction. This verse is thus the opening scene of Peter's crucible, from which he would emerge not only forgiven but transformed by grace into a rock-solid leader of the early church.

Luke 22 57 Commentary

Luke 22:57 serves as a poignant illustration of human weakness and the fragility of even the most earnest commitments when confronted by extreme pressure. Peter, despite his bold declaration hours earlier, capitulates to the fear of man, driven by self-preservation in the face of immense danger. The accuser being a mere "servant girl" intensifies the shame of his denial, highlighting how fear can overcome even the most formidable figures. Peter's response, "Woman, I do not know him," is not a gentle evasion but a forceful, definitive repudiation of his relationship with Jesus. This event, however, is not the end of Peter's story; rather, it's a profound demonstration of the necessity of divine grace and the reality of repentance and restoration for a fallen disciple, culminating in his subsequent leadership and martyrdom for Christ. It underscores the truth that knowing God is not just an intellectual assent but an ongoing, courageous commitment.

• Examples:
  • Contrast of boasts and reality: A young athlete vows to always compete fairly but cheats when losing is imminent and public humiliation seems unavoidable.
  • Fear of social consequence: Someone at school denying their faith or association with a Christian group to avoid mockery or ostracization.
  • Compromise under pressure: A person in the workplace keeping quiet about unethical practices to maintain job security or avoid confrontation, despite knowing it is wrong.