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.

And {G2532} after {G3326} a little while {G1024} another {G2087} saw {G1492} him {G846}, and said {G5346}, Thou {G4771} art {G1488} also {G2532} of {G1537} them {G846}. And {G1161} Peter {G4074} said {G2036}, Man {G444}, I am {G1510} not {G3756}.

A little later, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too”; but Kefa said, “Man, I am not!”

A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

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

Luke 22:58 records the second instance of Peter denying his association with Jesus, a poignant moment during the chaotic night of Jesus' arrest and trial. This verse highlights the profound fear and pressure that led Peter, a close disciple, to falter in his loyalty.

Context

This event unfolds in the high priest's courtyard, shortly after Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. Peter, initially following Jesus "afar off," had entered the courtyard where Jesus was being interrogated. The first denial had just taken place when a servant girl identified him (Luke 22:56-57). Now, "after a little while," another individual observes Peter and directly accuses him of being one of Jesus' followers, prompting this second, emphatic denial.

Key Themes

  • Human Weakness and Fear: Peter's denial serves as a stark reminder of human frailty under extreme pressure. Despite his earlier bold declaration to die with Jesus (Luke 22:33), fear for his own safety led him to deny his Lord.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This moment is a direct fulfillment of Jesus' solemn prophecy to Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (Luke 22:34). It underscores the divine foreknowledge and the certainty of God's plans.
  • The Peril of Compromise: Peter's actions illustrate the temptation to compromise one's convictions when faced with opposition or potential danger, a challenge that followers of Christ have faced throughout history.

Linguistic Insights

Peter's response, "Man, I am not," translates from the Greek `ἄνθρωπε, οὐκ εἰμί` (anthrōpe, ouk eimi). The phrase `οὐκ εἰμί` is a strong and definite negation, meaning "I am absolutely not" or "I do not exist as such." This emphatic denial reveals Peter's intense desire to disassociate himself from Jesus in that perilous moment, highlighting the depth of his fear.

Practical Application

Peter's denial offers a powerful lesson for believers today. It reminds us that even those with strong faith can stumble and fall when confronted with fear, peer pressure, or adversity. However, Peter's story does not end in failure; his subsequent repentance and restoration by Jesus after the resurrection provide immense hope. It teaches us about God's enduring grace, forgiveness, and His ability to redeem our failures, leading to renewed purpose and service in His kingdom.

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.

  • Mark 14:69

    And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is [one] of them.

  • Mark 14:70

    And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art [one] of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth [thereto].

  • 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.

  • Matthew 26:71

    And when he was gone out into the porch, another [maid] saw him, and said unto them that were there, This [fellow] was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Matthew 26:72

    And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back