John 18:25
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
Original Language Analysis
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
4 of 24
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἑστὼς
G2476
ἑστὼς
Strong's:
G2476
Word #:
5 of 24
to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively)
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
6 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
9 of 24
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
10 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Μὴ
not
G3361
Μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
11 of 24
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
12 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐκ
one of
G1537
ἐκ
one of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
14 of 24
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῶν
G3588
τῶν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
17 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ἐκεῖνος
He
G1565
ἐκεῖνος
He
Strong's:
G1565
Word #:
20 of 24
that one (or (neuter) thing); often intensified by the article prefixed
καὶ
also
G2532
καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
21 of 24
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical Context
First-century Palestine's night temperatures (especially in early spring around Passover) could drop to 45-50°F. The charcoal fire (ἀνθρακιὰν, anthrakian, v. 18) would draw servants and guards together, creating the social pressure Peter couldn't withstand. After resurrection, Jesus would restore Peter beside another charcoal fire (John 21:9), redeeming this failure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your pursuit of physical comfort or social acceptance sometimes lead you to deny Christ?
- What's the significance of Peter saying 'I am NOT' while Jesus declares 'I AM'—how do our denials reject our true identity in Christ?
- Why does John include the detail about Peter warming himself—what does this teach about the connection between creature comforts and spiritual compromise?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself—John returns to Peter's denial, using imperfect tense εἱστήκει (histēkei, 'was standing') to emphasize duration. While Jesus stood before accusers, Peter stood among them. The detail about warming himself (θερμαινόμενος, thermainomenos) repeats from verse 18, bracketing his denials with physical comfort-seeking while his Master suffers.
He denied it, and said, I am not (ἠρνήσατο καὶ εἶπεν Οὐκ εἰμί, ērnēsato kai eipen ouk eimi)—The phrase 'I am not' starkly contrasts Jesus's repeated 'I AM' (ἐγώ εἰμι, egō eimi) declarations. Peter's self-preservation denies his identity as disciple while Jesus's self-revelation accepts His identity as God.