John 18:25

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.”

Berean Standard Bible

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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
John 18:25 captures the second of Peter's three denials of Jesus, a poignant moment occurring in the high priest's courtyard during Jesus's trial. As Peter sought warmth among the servants and officers, he was directly challenged about his association with Jesus and unequivocally denied being one of His disciples, illustrating the profound human vulnerability to fear and pressure in the face of imminent danger.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the dramatic narrative of Jesus's arrest and initial interrogation. Following Jesus's apprehension in the Garden of Gethsemane, He is led to Annas, the father-in-law of the high priest Caiaphas. Peter, along with "another disciple," follows from a distance, eventually gaining entry into the high priest's courtyard (see [John 18:15-16](/john/18-15-16 "John 18:15-16 - Peter and the Other Disciple Enter the Courtyard")). The immediate preceding verse, [John 18:24](/john/18-24 "John 18:24 - Jesus Sent to Caiaphas"), notes Jesus being sent from Annas to Caiaphas, while Peter remains in the courtyard. Peter's first denial occurs in [John 18:17](/john/18-17 "John 18:17 - Peter's First Denial") when a servant girl challenges him. This second denial, recorded in [John 18:25](/john/18-25 "John 18:25 - Peter's Second Denial"), is prompted by a group, setting the stage for the third and final denial which immediately follows in [John 18:26-27](/john/18-26-27 "John 18:26-27 - Peter's Third Denial and the Rooster's Crow"). The narrative expertly interweaves Jesus's steadfastness under unjust trial with Peter's tragic moral failure, creating a powerful juxtaposition.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The scene unfolds in the courtyard of the high priest's residence in Jerusalem, likely a large, open space surrounded by rooms. It was common for trials or preliminary hearings to take place at night, especially for sensitive cases, to avoid public unrest. The presence of a charcoal fire (ἀνθρακιά, *anthrakia*) indicates the chill of the night, likely in late March or early April during Passover, when nights in Jerusalem can still be quite cool. Peter's attempt to "warm himself" (G2328 *thermaínō*) by the fire was a natural human act, but it also placed him directly among the very people who were hostile to Jesus—servants and officers of the temple guard. This environment was charged with tension and danger for anyone associated with the accused. The accusers' question, "Art not thou also one of his disciples?", reflects the common practice of identifying and questioning associates of those arrested, often to gather more information or implicate others.
* **Key Themes:** This passage significantly contributes to several overarching themes in John's Gospel and the broader biblical narrative. It powerfully illustrates **human weakness and the temptation of fear**, showing how even a zealous disciple like Peter can falter under pressure, contrasting sharply with Jesus's unwavering resolve. The repeated denials underscore the theme of **fulfillment of prophecy**, as Jesus had explicitly foretold Peter's betrayal (cf. [John 13:38](/john/13-38 "John 13:38 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial")). This highlights God's sovereign plan unfolding even through human failure. Furthermore, the scene emphasizes the **cost of discipleship** and the potential for compromise when faced with societal or personal threats. Peter's journey from denial to restoration (as seen later in [John 21](/john/21 "John 21 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples and Restores Peter")) becomes a profound testament to God's **grace and redemptive power**, offering hope for all who stumble.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stood (Greek, _hístēmi'_):** G2476, meaning "to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)." In this context, Peter's "standing" by the fire is a literal physical posture. However, it also carries a subtle ironic undertone. Peter had earlier declared his willingness to "lay down his life" for Jesus (cf. [John 13:37](/john/13-37 "John 13:37 - Peter's Declaration of Loyalty")), implying a steadfast "standing" with Christ. Here, he stands physically, but spiritually and morally, he is about to fall.
* **warmed himself (Greek, _thermaínō'_):** G2328, meaning "to heat (oneself)." This word describes Peter's physical action of seeking warmth from the charcoal fire. Beyond the literal, it can symbolize Peter's attempt to blend in, to find comfort and safety among those hostile to Jesus. His desire for physical warmth tragically parallels a spiritual coldness or a chilling fear that leads him to deny his Lord.
* **denied (Greek, _arnéomai'_):** G720, meaning "to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate." This is the pivotal action of the verse. Peter's denial is not merely a refusal to acknowledge, but a strong, emphatic rejection of any association with Jesus. This word encapsulates the essence of his betrayal, a direct contradiction of his prior fervent declarations of loyalty.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself."**: This opening clause sets the scene, placing Peter physically within the hostile environment of the high priest's courtyard. His act of warming himself by the fire is a mundane human need, yet it is precisely this act that brings him into proximity with those who recognize him, creating the opportunity for his denial. The detail highlights his vulnerability and his attempt to appear inconspicuous.
* **"They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also [one] of his disciples?"**: This is the direct confrontation that precipitates Peter's denial. The "they" refers to the servants and officers gathered around the fire, indicating a collective accusation or suspicion. The question is phrased to elicit a negative response ("Art not thou...?") but carries the weight of an accusation, demanding a clear answer about his allegiance to Jesus.
* **"He denied [it], and said, I am not."**: This is Peter's decisive and tragic response. The phrase "I am not" (Greek: *ouk eimi*) is a stark and emphatic negation. It is a direct and unequivocal rejection of the accusation, a complete disavowal of his identity as a disciple of Jesus. This statement stands in stark contrast to Jesus's own "I AM" declarations throughout John's Gospel, highlighting Peter's human weakness against Jesus's divine strength and truthfulness.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **literary devices**. There is profound **Irony** in Peter's denial; the disciple who had so boldly declared his willingness to die for Jesus (cf. [John 13:37](/john/13-37 "John 13:37 - Peter's Declaration of Loyalty")) now denies Him out of fear. This creates a stark **Contrast** between Peter's human frailty and Jesus's unwavering steadfastness and truthfulness in the face of His own trial. The scene also utilizes **Foreshadowing** and **Fulfillment**, as Peter's denial directly fulfills Jesus's earlier prophecy (cf. [John 13:38](/john/13-38 "John 13:38 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial")), emphasizing the divine orchestration of events even amidst human failure. The **Dialogue** form of the accusation and denial brings immediacy and tension to the narrative, drawing the reader into the high-stakes moment of Peter's moral test.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
John 18:25 serves as a profound theological statement on the reality of human weakness and the pervasive power of fear, even within the most committed followers of Christ. Peter's denial, though a personal failure, is woven into the larger tapestry of God's redemptive plan, demonstrating that divine prophecy unfolds precisely as foretold, regardless of human actions. This moment underscores the critical need for reliance not on one's own strength or resolve, but on the sustaining grace of God. It also highlights the stark contrast between human fallibility and the perfect, unwavering obedience of Jesus, who steadfastly faced His accusers and suffering without compromise. Ultimately, Peter's story, including this denial, becomes a powerful testament to the depth of God's grace and His capacity to restore even those who have gravely stumbled.

* [John 13:38](/john/13-38 "John 13:38 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial")
* [Matthew 26:69-75](/matthew/26-69-75 "Matthew 26:69-75 - Peter's Denials in Matthew's Gospel")
* [John 21:15-19](/john/21-15-19 "John 21:15-19 - Jesus Restores Peter by the Sea")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's denial in John 18:25 offers a sobering yet ultimately hopeful mirror for believers today. It reminds us that even those with great zeal and sincere intentions can falter under pressure. This passage calls us to profound humility, recognizing our own capacity for fear and compromise, and preventing us from relying on self-confidence rather than divine strength. It challenges us to examine where our allegiances truly lie when faced with uncomfortable truths or social pressures. Furthermore, Peter's subsequent restoration (as beautifully depicted in [John 21](/john/21 "John 21 - Jesus Appears to the Disciples and Restores Peter")) offers immense comfort and a powerful lesson in God's boundless grace. His failure is not the end of his story, nor is ours. This passage encourages vigilance against the subtle temptations of fear, urging us to cultivate a deeper reliance on Christ so that we may stand firm in our faith, even when it is costly.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to compromise my faith or convictions due to fear of others' opinions or potential consequences?**
* **How does Peter's denial, and subsequent restoration, shape my understanding of God's grace and forgiveness in my own life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to strengthen my resolve to identify with Christ, even in challenging circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why was Peter warming himself, and is there any deeper meaning to this act?**

Answer: Peter was literally warming himself by a charcoal fire because it was a cold night in Jerusalem during the Passover season. Beyond the physical necessity, his act of blending in with the servants and officers of the high priest's household, who were hostile to Jesus, can be seen as symbolic. It suggests an attempt to find comfort and safety within a dangerous environment, perhaps indicating his desire to remain inconspicuous and avoid drawing attention to his association with Jesus. This physical act of seeking warmth tragically precedes a spiritual coldness and denial of his Lord.

**How many times did Peter deny Jesus, and how does this verse fit into that sequence?**

Answer: Peter denied Jesus three times, exactly as Jesus had prophesied (cf. [John 13:38](/john/13-38 "John 13:38 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial")). John 18:25 records Peter's second denial. The first denial occurs earlier in the courtyard, prompted by a servant girl, in [John 18:17](/john/18-17 "John 18:17 - Peter's First Denial"). The third and final denial, which is immediately followed by the crowing of the rooster, is recounted in [John 18:26-27](/john/18-26-27 "John 18:26-27 - Peter's Third Denial and the Rooster Crows"). Each denial escalates in its public nature and the intensity of the accusation.

**What is the significance of Peter's statement "I am not"?**

Answer: Peter's "I am not" (Greek: *ouk eimi*) is a direct and emphatic negation. It is a complete disavowal of his identity as a disciple of Jesus. The significance lies in its stark contrast to Jesus's own frequent "I AM" (Greek: *egō eimi*) statements throughout John's Gospel (e.g., [John 8:58](/john/8-58 "John 8:58 - Before Abraham Was, I Am")). While Jesus boldly proclaims His divine identity, Peter, in a moment of fear, emphatically denies his identity and association with Jesus. This linguistic parallel highlights Peter's profound human weakness against Jesus's divine strength and unwavering truthfulness, even unto death.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Peter's denial in [John 18:25](/john/18-25 "John 18:25 - Peter's Second Denial") serves as a poignant backdrop against which the perfect faithfulness of Jesus Christ shines even more brightly. While Peter, a representative of humanity, succumbs to fear and denies his Lord, Jesus, simultaneously undergoing unjust trials, remains utterly steadfast and truthful. His unwavering resolve, even when facing torture and death, stands in stark contrast to Peter's frailty. Jesus is the true and faithful disciple, the one who perfectly fulfills the will of the Father, never denying His identity or mission. Furthermore, Peter's subsequent restoration by Jesus after the resurrection, as depicted in [John 21:15-19](/john/21-15-19 "John 21:15-19 - Jesus Restores Peter by the Sea"), powerfully foreshadows Christ's redemptive work for all who fail. Jesus's grace is not merely a covering for sin but a transformative power that restores and empowers, demonstrating His ultimate victory over sin and death, and His compassionate High Priestly ministry (cf. [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sympathetic High Priest")) for His struggling people. Peter's failure thus magnifies the perfect obedience, sacrificial love, and restorative grace of Christ, who alone is worthy of all praise.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.