Luke 22:55

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

And {G1161} when they {G846} had kindled {G681} a fire {G4442} in {G1722} the midst {G3319} of the hall {G833}, and {G2532} were set down together {G4776}, Peter {G4074} sat down {G2521} among {G3319}{G1722} them {G846}.

but when they had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Kefa joined them.

When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them.

Commentary

Luke 22:55 describes a pivotal moment in the narrative of Peter's actions following Jesus' arrest. After Jesus was apprehended in the Garden of Gethsemane and led to the high priest's house, Peter followed, but at a distance (Luke 22:54). This verse sets the scene for the sequence of events that would test Peter's loyalty and lead to his famous denials.

Historical and Cultural Context

The arrest of Jesus occurred late at night, likely making the air cold. The "hall" (Greek: aulΔ“) refers to the open courtyard of the high priest's house, a common architectural feature in ancient Near Eastern homes. This courtyard would have been accessible to servants and others associated with the household or the Sanhedrin proceedings. Kindling a fire in the midst of this space was a practical necessity for warmth, but it also created a focal point where people would gather, inadvertently drawing attention to Peter, who was attempting to blend in. This gathering around the fire is also mentioned in John 18:18, providing a consistent detail across Gospel accounts of this critical night.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Proximity to Temptation: Peter, despite his earlier brave declaration to never forsake Jesus (Luke 22:33), finds himself in the very environment of Jesus' accusers. His choice to sit "among them" highlights his vulnerability and the subtle way fear can draw one into compromising situations.
  • Human Frailty: This verse foreshadows Peter's subsequent denials. It underscores the reality of human weakness and the potential for even the most devoted followers to falter under pressure and fear, especially when not relying on divine strength.
  • Setting the Stage: The fire provides light, making Peter visible, and the communal gathering around it creates the perfect opportunity for him to be recognized and challenged, leading directly into the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy concerning Peter's denial (Luke 22:34).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "hall," aulΔ“ (αὐλῆς), specifically denotes an open court or courtyard, not an enclosed room. This detail is important for visualizing the public nature of the setting where Peter was warming himself. The phrase "kindled a fire" (peripsantes pyr) simply indicates the act of building a fire for warmth, a common practice in cold conditions, and a detail consistent across the Gospel accounts of this night.

Practical Application

Luke 22:55 offers a poignant reminder that even when we desire to be close to Christ, our human fears and desire for self-preservation can lead us into compromising environments. It challenges believers to consider:

  • Are we placing ourselves in situations that test our faith unnecessarily?
  • Do we recognize our own vulnerabilities and rely on God's strength rather than our own resolve?
  • How do we respond when the pressure mounts, and our commitment to Christ is challenged in our daily lives?

This verse serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of staying vigilant and prayerful, particularly in challenging circumstances, to avoid the subtle traps of temptation and fear.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 6:15

    And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

  • 2 Corinthians 6:17

    Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,

  • 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.

  • John 18:27

    Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

  • Psalms 28:3

    Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief [is] in their hearts.

  • Matthew 26:3

    Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

  • Psalms 1:1

    ΒΆ Blessed [is] the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
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