Devine Scripture

Luke 22:56

What does Luke 22:56 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:56 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:56 means

A servant girl, seeing Peter in the firelight and looking closely, says, “This man also was with him.” Her observation is simple and accurate; the light reveals his association with Jesus. The challenge comes from a seemingly insignificant source, yet it pierces Peter’s defenses. The gaze “stedfastly” suggests persistent scrutiny; Peter is under pressure. This is the first gate of denial—small in appearance, weighty in consequence. The verse reminds us that loyalty is tested in ordinary encounters as much as in crises. Peter’s response will show that fear of exposure, not force of enemies, drives him. The light that should have warmed him now exposes him, and he shrinks from bearing Christ’s name.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And a certain woman-servant, seeing him in the light of the fire, and looking at him with attention, said, This man was with him.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and a certain maid having seen him sitting at the light, and having earnestly looked at him, she said, `And this one was with him!'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And a certain maid, having seen him sitting by the light, and having fixed her eyes upon him, said, And this [man] was with him.

Context

As Peter sits among the crowd by the fire, a servant girl recognizes him and speaks up. This is the first direct accusation that he was with Jesus. Peter will immediately deny knowing the Lord, beginning the predicted threefold denial. After a short while, another person will press the charge, and later a third will do so more confidently, leading to the cock’s crow and Jesus’ look that breaks Peter’s heart.

v.55And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the court, and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them.

v.56This passage

v.57But he denied, saying, Woman, I know him not.

Cross references

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

  • Mark 14:17

    And when it was evening he cometh with the twelve.

  • John 18:17

    The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.

  • 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.

  • Mark 14:6

    But Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

  • Mark 14:66

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

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