Luke 22:57

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

And {G1161} he denied {G720} him {G846}, saying {G3004}, Woman {G1135}, I know {G1492} him {G846} not {G3756}.

But he denied it: “Lady, I don’t even know him.”

But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said.

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

Context

Luke 22:57 occurs immediately after Jesus' arrest and His being led to the high priest's house. Peter, along with John, had followed Jesus, albeit at a distance. As Jesus was undergoing an informal inquiry, Peter was in the courtyard with the servants and guards, warming himself by a fire. This verse records the first of Peter's three denials of Jesus, which Jesus had foretold earlier in Luke 22:34. A servant girl identifies Peter as being with Jesus of Nazareth, prompting his immediate and forceful denial.

Key Themes

  • Human Weakness and Fear: Peter, who had boldly declared he would die for Jesus (Luke 22:33), succumbs to fear and peer pressure when confronted. This highlights the reality of human frailty even among devoted followers.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse marks the beginning of the fulfillment of Jesus' sobering prediction about Peter's denial. It underscores divine foreknowledge and the certainty of God's Word.
  • Denial of Christ: Peter's denial is a stark example of renouncing association with Jesus, driven by self-preservation in a moment of crisis. This act is also recounted in Matthew 26:69, Mark 14:66, and John 18:17.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translates Peter's address as "Woman." The Greek word used here is gynai (γύναι), which is a common and respectful term for "woman" or "lady," not a derogatory one. It is the same word Jesus used to address His mother at the wedding in Cana (John 2:4) and on the cross (John 19:26). Peter's denial, "I know him not," (Greek: οὐκ οἶδα αὐτόν - ouk oida auton) is a clear and direct statement, leaving no room for ambiguity about his disassociation from Jesus.

Practical Application

Luke 22:57 serves as a powerful reminder of several truths for believers today:

  • Beware of Overconfidence: Peter's fall teaches humility, reminding us that even the most zealous followers can stumble if they rely on their own strength rather not on God's.
  • The Power of Fear: Fear of man or social pressure can lead to compromises of faith. This verse challenges us to examine if we deny Christ in subtle ways by our silence or actions in difficult situations.
  • God's Grace and Restoration: While this verse highlights Peter's failure, it sets the stage for Peter's eventual repentance and restoration, highlighted in John 21:15-19. It offers hope that even after significant failures, God's grace is sufficient for forgiveness and new beginnings for those who truly repent.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 18:27

    Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

  • Luke 12:9

    But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

  • 1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Matthew 10:33

    But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

  • Luke 22:33

    And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

  • Luke 22:34

    And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

  • Acts 3:19

    Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

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