Luke 22:54
What does Luke 22:54 mean?
A plain-English look at Luke 22:54 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Luke 22:54 means
Jesus is seized and led away to the high priest’s house, while Peter follows at a distance. The Shepherd is struck; the sheep begin to scatter, yet one lingers in conflicted loyalty. Peter’s distance mirrors his inner turmoil—drawn by love, held back by fear. The movement from garden to house marks the transition from private betrayal to formal proceedings. Jesus, bound, enters the custody of those plotting His death, yet He remains the true Lord of the scene. Peter’s presence sets up his denials, showing how proximity without courage can lead to compromise. The verse juxtaposes Jesus’ courageous submission with Peter’s tentative following, preparing us for the painful exposure of human weakness.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And they seized him, and led himaway, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest’s house. And Peter followed afar off.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And they seized him, and led himaway, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And they made him a prisoner and took him away to the house of the high priest. But Peter went after them at a distance.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And having taken him, they led and brought him to the house of the chief priest. And Peter was following afar off,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And apprehending him, they led him to the high priest's house. But Peter followed afar off.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And having laid hold on him, they led him [away], and they led [him] into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed afar off.
Context
After declaring the hour of darkness, Jesus is arrested and taken to the high priest’s residence. Peter trails behind, introducing the courtyard episode. The next verses describe the fire in the midst of the court, Peter sitting among the people, and successive accusations that he was with Jesus. Peter’s three denials will culminate with the cock crowing and Jesus’ knowing look, followed by Peter’s bitter weeping, even as Jesus is mocked and abused inside.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 32:31
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
- Mark 14:53
And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes.
- John 18:24
Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
- John 18:12
So the band and the chief captain, and the officers of the Jews, seized Jesus and bound him,
- Luke 22:33
And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.
- Matthew 26:57
And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together.
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