Devine Scripture

Luke 22:55

What does Luke 22:55 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:55 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:55 means

In the courtyard, they kindle a fire and sit down together; Peter sits among them. The warmth and light draw him in, but also expose him. He blends into the crowd to observe from a safe distance. The ordinary setting—firelight, a gathered group—becomes the arena for extraordinary failure. Peter is not before judges but servants, yet his courage falters. Comfort can be costly if it lulls the heart into compromise. The verse sets the stage for the first challenge to his identity as a disciple. It shows how small choices—where we sit, with whom we warm ourselves—can lead into greater tests, especially when fear governs the heart.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a fire was lighted in the middle of the open square, and they were seated together, and Peter was among them.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and they having kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and having sat down together, Peter was sitting in the midst of them,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall and were sitting about it, Peter was in the midst of them.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And they having lit a fire in the midst of the court and sat down together, Peter sat among them.

Context

Having followed at a distance, Peter settles in the courtyard where others have made a fire to ward off the night’s chill. The scene now narrows to him, away from Jesus’ interrogation inside. A servant girl will notice Peter in the firelight and identify him as a companion of Jesus. This begins the series of three denials, each more insistent, culminating in the rooster’s crow and Jesus’ meaningful look that triggers Peter’s bitter repentance.

v.54And they seized him, and led himaway, and brought him into the high priest’s house. But Peter followed afar off.

v.55This passage

v.56And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 6:15

    And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?

  • Proverbs 13:20

    Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.

  • John 18:16

    but Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple, who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

  • Mark 14:66

    And as Peter was beneath in the court, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest;

  • Matthew 26:69

    Now Peter was sitting without in the court: and a maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilæan.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:33

    Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

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