The Last Night
But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said. Luke 22:57 · Berean Standard Bible
Peter's first denial comes quickly: 'Woman, I don't know Him.' The man who said he'd die for Jesus can't even admit knowing Him when a servant girl asks.
Just hours ago, Peter swore he'd go to prison or death. Now a girl's question crumbles his resolve. Fear does that to people.
Peter speaks from pure survival instinct, and you can feel the weight of what he's doing even if he can't in the moment.
It happens so fast. A question, a moment of fear, and the words come out: 'I don't know Him.' Peter didn't plan this. He didn't debate it internally. Fear took over and the lie escaped before courage could catch up. And this is only the first time.
Peter ērnēsato (denied) with the words 'Ouk oida auton, gynai' (I do not know Him, woman). The verb arneomai carries the weight of formal repudiation — Peter doesn't merely deflect but actively disowns his relationship with Jesus.
The denial directly contradicts Peter's earlier boast (v. 33) and fulfills the first part of Jesus' prediction (v. 34). The address 'gynai' (woman) is dismissive, attempting to minimize the encounter.
Peter speaks his first denial, choosing self-preservation over loyalty to Jesus at the challenge of a servant girl.
The man who declared readiness for prison and death now says, 'I don't know Him.' It's the first crack, and it comes swiftly — no agonized deliberation, just reflexive self-protection. The gap between Peter's bold words at dinner and his cowardly words by the fire is devastating.
55When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.
56A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said.
57But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said.
58A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
59About an hour later, another man insisted, “Certainly this man was with Him, for he too is a Galilean.”
Read all of Luke 22 — The upper room, a betrayer's kiss, a servant's ear, and Peter's denial by firelight. The longest night in history begins.
This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.
Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.
Download on the App StoreFree on iPhone & iPad