John 18:25

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also [one] of his disciples? He denied [it], and said, I am not.

And {G1161} Simon {G4613} Peter {G4074} stood {G2258}{G2476} and {G2532} warmed himself {G2328}. They said {G2036} therefore {G3767} unto him {G846}, Art {G1488} not {G3361} thou {G4771} also {G2532} one of {G1537} his {G846} disciples {G3101}? He {G1565} denied {G720} it, and {G2532} said {G2036}, I am {G1510} not {G3756}.

Meanwhile, Shim‘on Kefa was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “Aren’t you also one of his talmidim?” He denied it, saying, “No, I am not.”

Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore unto him, Art thou also one of his disciples? He denied, and said, I am not.

Commentary

John 18:25 records Simon Peter's second denial of Jesus, a pivotal moment illustrating human frailty under pressure during the intense events of Jesus's arrest and trial.

Context

This verse takes place in the courtyard of the high priest, where Jesus had been led after His arrest. Peter, having followed Jesus from a distance, was attempting to blend in among the servants and officers who had gathered around a charcoal fire to warm themselves. His presence there was noticed, and he was directly challenged about his association with Jesus. This denial follows an earlier one mentioned in John 18:17 and precedes a third, fulfilling Jesus's earlier prophecy about Peter's denials before the rooster crowed, as recounted in John 13:38.

Key Themes

  • Human Weakness and Fear: Peter's denial highlights the profound human tendency to succumb to fear and self-preservation when faced with danger. Despite his earlier bold declaration of loyalty, he falters.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This event is a direct fulfillment of Jesus's foretelling Peter's denial, underscoring the divine sovereignty at play even amidst human failure.
  • Contrast with Jesus's Steadfastness: Peter's denial stands in stark contrast to Jesus's unwavering resolve and truthfulness throughout His own trials, emphasizing Christ's unique steadfastness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "I am not" translates the Greek ouk eimi (οὐκ εἰμί), a straightforward and emphatic negation. Peter's response is a direct and unequivocal rejection of the accusation, leaving no room for ambiguity in his denial.

Practical Application

John 18:25 offers several lessons for believers today:

  • Humility: It serves as a stark reminder that even the most zealous followers can stumble. It encourages humility and a reliance not on one's own strength, but on God's grace.
  • Understanding Grace: While Peter's failure is evident, his story doesn't end here. It points to the greater narrative of God's restorative grace, seen later in Peter's life and ministry after the resurrection, as detailed in John 21:15-19.
  • Vigilance Against Temptation: The passage encourages vigilance against the temptations of fear and compromise, urging believers to stand firm in their faith, even under pressure.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • John 18:17

    Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also [one] of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.

  • John 18:18

    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.

  • Mark 14:67

    And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Mark 14:72

    And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

  • Proverbs 29:25

    ¶ The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

  • Genesis 18:15

    Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.

  • Luke 22:58

    And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
← Back