Luke 22:57

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Luke 22:57 records the poignant moment of Peter's first denial of Jesus, fulfilling a prophecy Jesus had made just hours earlier. As Jesus faced an informal interrogation inside the high priest's house, Peter, warming himself by a fire in the courtyard, was confronted by a servant girl who identified him as an associate of Jesus. In a moment of fear and self-preservation, Peter vehemently disavowed any knowledge of Jesus, setting in motion the painful sequence of his three denials before the rooster crowed.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the intensely dramatic narrative of Jesus' passion week in Luke's Gospel. Immediately preceding it, Jesus has been arrested in Gethsemane ([Luke 22:47-53](/luke/22-47-53 "Luke 22:47-53 - Jesus' Arrest")), and His disciples, including Peter, have scattered. Peter, however, follows "at a distance" ([Luke 22:54](/luke/22-54 "Luke 22:54 - Peter Follows Jesus")) to the high priest's courtyard. This scene directly follows the Sanhedrin's initial, hurried "trial" of Jesus ([Luke 22:54-55](/luke/22-54-55 "Luke 22:54-55 - Jesus Before the Sanhedrin")), providing a stark contrast between Jesus' steadfastness and Peter's faltering faith. The subsequent verses ([Luke 22:58-62](/luke/22-58-62 "Luke 22:58-62 - Peter's Further Denials")) detail Peter's two further denials, culminating in the rooster's crow and Peter's bitter weeping, directly after Jesus turns and looks at him.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the courtyard of the high priest's house, likely a large, open space where servants and guards would gather, especially at night. The presence of a fire suggests the chill of a Jerusalem night. Peter, a Galilean, would have been conspicuous among the Jerusalemites, making his accent or appearance potentially identifiable. The accusation comes from a "servant girl" (παιδίσκη, _paidiskē_), highlighting that Peter's denial was not under direct threat from Roman or Jewish authorities but from a seemingly insignificant individual. This underscores the intense social pressure and fear of association with someone condemned as a criminal, especially given the volatile political climate under Roman occupation and the Jewish leadership's animosity toward Jesus.
* **Key Themes:** Luke 22:57 contributes significantly to several overarching themes. It powerfully illustrates **Human Weakness and Frailty**, showing that even a devoted disciple like Peter, who had earlier vowed loyalty unto death ([Luke 22:33](/luke/22-33 "Luke 22:33 - Peter's Vow")), can succumb to fear and deny Christ. This verse also marks the immediate **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Jesus had explicitly foretold Peter's three denials before the rooster crowed ([Luke 22:34](/luke/22-34 "Luke 22:34 - Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial")). Furthermore, it highlights the theme of **Denial of Christ**, serving as a stark warning about the consequences of prioritizing self-preservation over allegiance to Jesus, a theme echoed in Jesus' own teachings about confessing or denying Him before others ([Luke 12:8-9](/luke/12-8-9 "Luke 12:8-9 - Confessing or Denying Christ")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **denied (Greek, _arnéomai'_):** This verb signifies to contradict, disavow, reject, or abnegate. Peter's denial is not merely a lack of acknowledgment but an active disassociation, a strong repudiation of any connection to Jesus. It conveys a decisive and complete renunciation of his relationship with the accused.
* **Woman (Greek, _gynḗ'_):** While "Woman" might sound harsh in English, the Greek term here is a common and often respectful address. It is the same term Jesus uses for His mother (e.g., [John 2:4](/john/2-4 "John 2:4 - Jesus and His Mother at Cana")). In this context, it serves as a direct address to the servant girl, perhaps indicating a tone of dismissiveness or even a strained attempt at politeness in his denial.
* **know (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb, used in the perfect tense here, means "to know" in the sense of having perceived or understood, implying a settled knowledge or acquaintance. Peter's statement "I know him not" is a definitive declaration that he has no personal acquaintance or relationship with Jesus, a direct lie aimed at severing any perceived link.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he denied him,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Peter's action. The conjunction "And" (G1161, _dé_) connects this action directly to the preceding events, highlighting the rapid unfolding of Peter's failure. The denial is directed specifically at Jesus ("him"), even though the accusation came from the servant girl, signifying a rejection of his Lord.
* **"saying, Woman,"**: Peter's verbal response begins with an address to the servant girl. His choice of "Woman" (G1135, _gynḗ_) is a direct, albeit not necessarily disrespectful, way of addressing his accuser as he prepares to issue his denial. It sets the stage for his emphatic repudiation.
* **"I know him not."**: This is the core of Peter's denial. The absolute negative "not" (G3756, _ou_) combined with "know" (G1492, _eídō_) forms a categorical and unequivocal statement of non-recognition. Peter is not merely saying he doesn't recognize Jesus' face, but that he has no relationship, no acquaintance, and no association with Him. This is a complete and total disavowal.

#### Literary Devices
Luke's account of Peter's denial is rich with literary devices that amplify its dramatic and theological impact. **Foreshadowing** is prominent, as this verse directly fulfills Jesus' earlier prophecy to Peter in [Luke 22:34](/luke/22-34 "Luke 22:34 - Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial"), creating a sense of tragic inevitability. There is profound **Irony** in Peter's immediate and forceful denial, given his earlier bold declaration of loyalty and willingness to die for Jesus ([Luke 22:33](/luke/22-33 "Luke 22:33 - Peter's Bold Declaration")). The contrast between Peter's confident boast and his fearful capitulation underscores the theme of human frailty. Furthermore, the scene builds **Dramatic Tension** as the reader anticipates the fulfillment of the prophecy, knowing Peter's fate, while Peter himself is caught in a moment of intense pressure. The simple, direct language of Peter's denial adds to its stark and impactful nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Luke 22:57 serves as a profound theological lesson on the nature of discipleship, human fallibility, and divine sovereignty. Peter's denial, though a grave sin, reveals the deep-seated fear and self-preservation instincts that can overwhelm even the most zealous followers of Christ in moments of extreme pressure. It underscores the biblical truth that human strength and resolve are insufficient without divine empowerment, reminding believers of the constant need for humility and reliance on God's grace. The immediate fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy also powerfully affirms God's foreknowledge and the certainty of His word, even in the face of human failure. This event, far from being a mere historical detail, becomes a timeless illustration of the spiritual battle against fear and the temptation to deny one's faith for personal safety.

* [Matthew 26:69](/matthew/26-69 "Matthew 26:69 - Peter's First Denial")
* [Mark 14:66-68](/mark/14-66-68 "Mark 14:66-68 - Peter's First Denial")
* [John 18:17](/john/18-17 "John 18:17 - Peter's First Denial")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Peter's denial in Luke 22:57 offers a sobering yet ultimately hopeful reflection for believers today. It reminds us that even those closest to Jesus are susceptible to profound failures when confronted with fear, social pressure, or the threat of suffering. This account calls us to a deep humility, recognizing that our own strength and commitment are fragile without constant reliance on God's sustaining grace. It challenges us to examine our own lives: where might we subtly deny Christ, not necessarily with explicit words, but through our silence in the face of injustice, our compromise of biblical values for social acceptance, or our failure to live out our faith boldly in a hostile world? Peter's failure is not the end of his story, but a pivotal moment that sets the stage for his repentance and restoration, offering immense hope that God's grace is greater than our gravest failures, always extended to those who genuinely turn back to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what situations do I feel tempted to deny my association with Christ, either explicitly or implicitly?**
* **How does Peter's initial overconfidence, followed by his denial, challenge my own sense of spiritual strength and self-reliance?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a deeper reliance on God's strength, rather than my own, when facing fear or pressure?**

### FAQ
**Why did Peter deny Jesus, despite his earlier bold declarations?**

Answer: Peter's denial stemmed primarily from fear and self-preservation in a moment of extreme pressure. He had followed Jesus "at a distance" ([Luke 22:54](/luke/22-54 "Luke 22:54 - Peter Follows Jesus")), indicating a mixture of loyalty and caution. When directly confronted and identified as being with Jesus, who was clearly being condemned, Peter's natural human instinct for survival overrode his spiritual commitment. His earlier bold declarations ([Luke 22:33](/luke/22-33 "Luke 22:33 - Peter's Vow")) reflected his genuine love and zeal for Jesus, but he had not yet fully grasped the depth of his own human weakness or the spiritual battle he was facing. Jesus had warned him, "Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat" ([Luke 22:31](/luke/22-31 "Luke 22:31 - Jesus Warns Peter")), indicating a spiritual attack that Peter was not yet equipped to withstand in his own strength.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Peter's denial in [Luke 22:57](/luke/22-57 "Luke 22:57 - Peter's First Denial") is a stark reminder of human frailty, yet it profoundly magnifies the steadfast grace and perfect work of Christ. While Peter denies knowing his Lord, Jesus, at that very moment, is perfectly fulfilling His mission, enduring false accusations and unjust condemnation without denying His identity or His Father's will. Jesus' intercession for Peter, "I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail" ([Luke 22:32](/luke/22-32 "Luke 22:32 - Jesus' Prayer for Peter")), underscores that Peter's eventual restoration was not due to his own strength, but to Christ's ongoing advocacy. The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), perfectly bore the shame and consequences of all human denials, including Peter's. Peter's bitter weeping after the rooster crowed ([Luke 22:62](/luke/22-62 "Luke 22:62 - Peter Weeps Bitterly")) points to the conviction of the Holy Spirit, a gift secured by Christ's atoning work. Ultimately, Peter's failure and subsequent restoration, orchestrated by the risen Christ ([John 21:15-19](/john/21-15-19 "John 21:15-19 - Jesus Restores Peter")), beautifully illustrate the triumph of Christ's grace over human sin, demonstrating His power to forgive, restore, and commission even those who have failed Him most grievously.

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 18:27

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;