John 18:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Now the slaves and guards had lit a fire because it was cold, and they were standing around it warming themselves; Kefa joined them and stood warming himself too.

Berean Standard Bible:

Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself.

American Standard Version:

Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they were warming themselves: and Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And^{G1161} the servants^{G1401} and^{G2532} officers^{G5257} stood there^{G2476}, who had made^{G4160} a fire of coals^{G439}; for^{G3754} it was^{G2258} cold^{G5592}: and^{G2532} they warmed themselves^{G2328}: and^{G1161} Peter^{G4074} stood^{{G2258}{G2476}} with^{G3326} them^{G846}, and^{G2532} warmed himself^{G2328}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for John 18:18

John 18:18 is a verse set within the narrative of Jesus' trial before the Jewish authorities after his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. The historical context places this event during the time of the Roman occupation of Judea, when the Jewish leadership sought to maintain a delicate balance of power under the watchful eye of the Roman Empire. The verse captures a moment outside the high priest's house, where a fire has been made to warm the servants and officers in the cold night air.

The theme of this verse reflects the human need for warmth and comfort amidst the tension and gravity of the unfolding events. It is a brief glimpse into the ordinary human activities that continue even as extraordinary spiritual and historical events are taking place. Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is among those gathered around the fire. This setting becomes significant as it is here, in the courtyard, that Peter will soon deny knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crows, fulfilling Jesus' prediction (John 13:38).

The verse underscores the juxtaposition of the mundane with the sacred, as well as the contrast between the warmth of the fire and the coldness of the betrayal that is about to occur. It also serves to highlight Peter's vulnerability and human frailty, as he seeks comfort in the company of those who are, unwittingly or not, part of the group that has apprehended his master. The fire, a source of light and heat, also symbolizes a place of testing for Peter, where his loyalty and courage are put to the ultimate test. This scene is emblematic of the broader human condition, where individuals often find themselves at the crossroads of comfort and conviction, faced with the choice to stand for their beliefs or succumb to the pressures of their surroundings.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1161
   There are 2556 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δέ
   Transliteration: dé
   Pronunciation: deh
   Description: a primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.:--also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English).
   
2. Strong's Number: G1401
   There are 119 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: δοῦλος
   Transliteration: doûlos
   Pronunciation: doo'-los
   Description: from δέω; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency):--bond(-man), servant.
   
3. Strong's Number: G2532
   There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: καί
   Transliteration: kaí
   Pronunciation: kahee
   Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
   
4. Strong's Number: G5257
   There are 20 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὑπηρέτης
   Transliteration: hypērétēs
   Pronunciation: hoop-ay-ret'-ace
   Description: from ὑπό and a derivative of (to row); an under-oarsman, i.e. (generally) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable):--minister, officer, servant.
   
5. Strong's Number: G2476
   There are 152 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἵστημι
   Transliteration: hístēmi
   Pronunciation: stah'-o
   Description: a prolonged form of a primary (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively):--abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). Compare τίθημι.
   
6. Strong's Number: G4160
   There are 519 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ποιέω
   Transliteration: poiéō
   Pronunciation: poy-eh'-o
   Description: apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct):--abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare πράσσω.
   
7. Strong's Number: G439
   There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἀνθρακιά
   Transliteration: anthrakiá
   Pronunciation: anth-rak-ee-ah'
   Description: from ἄνθραξ; a bed of burning coals:--fire of coals.
   
8. Strong's Number: G3754
   There are 1189 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὅτι
   Transliteration: hóti
   Pronunciation: hot'-ee
   Description: neuter of ὅστις as conjunction; demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because:--as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.
   
9. Strong's Number: G2258
   There are 416 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἦν
   Transliteration: ēn
   Pronunciation: ane
   Description: imperfect of εἰμί; I (thou, etc.) was (wast or were):--+ agree, be, X have (+ charge of), hold, use, was(-t), were.
   
10. Strong's Number: G5592
    There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: ψύχος
    Transliteration: psýchos
    Pronunciation: psoo'-khos
    Description: from ψύχω; coolness:--cold.
    
11. Strong's Number: G2328
    There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θερμαίνω
    Transliteration: thermaínō
    Pronunciation: ther-mah'-ee-no
    Description: from θέρμη; to heat (oneself):--(be) warm(-ed, self).
    
12. Strong's Number: G4074
    There are 157 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: Πέτρος
    Transliteration: Pétros
    Pronunciation: pet'-ros
    Description: apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than λίθος); as a name, Petrus, an apostle:--Peter, rock. Compare Κηφᾶς.
    
13. Strong's Number: G3326
    There are 445 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: μετά
    Transliteration: metá
    Pronunciation: met-ah'
    Description: a primary preposition (often used adverbially); properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between ἀπό or ἐκ and εἰς or πρός; less intimate than ἐν and less close than σύν):--after(-ward), X that he again, against, among, X and, + follow, hence, hereafter, in, of, (up-)on, + our, X and setting, since, (un-)to, + together, when, with (+ -out). Often used in composition, in substantially the same relations of participation or proximity, and transfer or sequence.
    
14. Strong's Number: G846
    There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: αὐτός
    Transliteration: autós
    Pronunciation: ow-tos'
    Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.