Devine Scripture

John 18:26

What does John 18:26 mean?

A plain-English look at John 18:26 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What John 18:26 means

Peter's third denial comes from a particularly challenging source: a relative of Malchus, the high priest's servant whose ear Peter had cut off earlier in the garden. This kinsman directly confronts Peter, asking, \"Did not I see thee in the garden with him?\" This personal identification and direct evidence heighten the stakes for Peter, making a simple denial more difficult. The connection to Malchus reinforces the gravity of Peter's earlier impetuous action.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

One of the servants of the high priest, being a kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

One of the servants of the high priest, a relation of him whose ear had been cut off by Peter, said, Did I not see you with him in the garden?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

One of the servants of the chief priest, being kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, saith, `Did not I see thee in the garden with him?'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

One of the servants of the high priest (a kinsman to him whose ear Peter cut off) saith to him: Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

One of the bondmen of the high priest, who was kinsman of him whose ear Peter cut off, says, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

Context

This verse stages Peter's third and final denial, with specific details that intensify his predicament. It directly links back to the earlier event in the garden, bringing the consequences of Peter's actions to bear. This final, specific accusation leads to Peter's definitive denial and the immediate, prophetic sign of the cock's crowing.

v.25Now 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.

v.26This passage

v.27Peter therefore denied again: and straightway the cock crew.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Proverbs 12:19

    The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

  • John 18:10

    Simon Peter therefore having a sword drew it, and struck the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. Now the servant’s name was Malchus.

  • John 18:1

    When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where was a garden, into which he entered, himself and his disciples.

  • Matthew 26:73

    And after a little while they that stood by came and said to Peter, Of a truth thou also art one of them; for thy speech maketh thee known.

  • Mark 14:70

    But he again denied it. And after a little while again they that stood by said to Peter, Of a truth thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilæan.

  • Luke 22:59

    And after the space of about one hour another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilæan.

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