Luke 22:59

What does Luke 22:59 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:59 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:59 means

About an hour later, a third accuser confidently asserts, “Of a truth this man also was with him; for he is a Galilæan.” Time has not cooled suspicion; it has ripened certainty. Peter’s speech or appearance betrays his origins, linking him with Jesus’ northern followers. The charge is emphatic—“of a truth.” The test is now unmistakable, public, and pressing. The verse shows how identity surfaces under scrutiny; Peter cannot hide indefinitely. His Galilæan distinctiveness becomes the human proof used against him. Ironically, what should be honor—sharing Jesus’ company—becomes the point of shame under fear. The clarity of the accusation sets the stage for the catastrophic third denial and the providential signal that will awaken Peter to himself.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And after about an hour, another man said, with decision, Certainly this man was with him, for he is a Galilaean.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And one hour, as it were, having intervened, a certain other was confidently affirming, saying, `Of a truth this one also was with him, for he is also a Galilean;'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And after the space, as it were of one hour, another certain man affirmed, saying: Of a truth, this man was also with him: for he is also a Galilean.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And after the lapse of about one hour another stoutly maintained it, saying, In truth this [man] also was with him, for also he is a Galilaean.

Context

After two denials, time passes, increasing the tension. Then a third person confidently charges Peter with being a companion of Jesus, citing his Galilæan identity. Peter will reply with a final denial, saying he does not understand what is being said. Immediately, while he is still speaking, the cock will crow. At that precise moment, Jesus will turn and look at Peter, fulfilling the earlier prediction and precipitating Peter’s bitter repentance and departure.

v.58And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou also art one of them. But Peter said, Man, I am not.

v.59This passage

v.60But Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

Cross references

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

  • John 18:26

    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?

  • Mark 14:69

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

  • 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.

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