Luke 22:56
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.
Original Language Analysis
ἰδοῦσα
beheld
G1492
ἰδοῦσα
beheld
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
1 of 18
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
3 of 18
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
καθήμενον
as he sat
G2521
καθήμενον
as he sat
Strong's:
G2521
Word #:
6 of 18
and ???? (to sit; akin to the base of g1476); to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside
πρὸς
by
G4314
πρὸς
by
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
7 of 18
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φῶς
the fire
G5457
φῶς
the fire
Strong's:
G5457
Word #:
9 of 18
luminousness (in the widest application, natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative)
Καὶ
also
G2532
Καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
10 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αὐτῷ
him
G846
αὐτῷ
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
12 of 18
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
Καὶ
also
G2532
Καὶ
also
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
οὗτος
This man
G3778
οὗτος
This man
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
15 of 18
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
σὺν
with
G4862
σὺν
with
Strong's:
G4862
Word #:
16 of 18
with or together (but much closer than g3326 or g3844), i.e., by association, companionship, process, resemblance, possession, instrumentality, additi
Historical Context
The servant girl was likely the doorkeeper mentioned in John 18:16-17. In ancient society, servants held low status, making Peter's fear more shameful—he fears the judgment of the powerless. Her identification was probably based on Peter having entered with John, whom she knew. Galileans were distinct from Judeans in speech, dress, and appearance. Peter's fisherman features and northern accent would mark him. That she speaks publicly about him increases Peter's panic—others will now scrutinize him.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does Peter collapse before a powerless servant girl after boldly attacking armed soldiers?
- What does this reveal about the nature of courage—is it circumstantial or Spirit-empowered?
- When have you denied Christ before 'powerless' observers rather than face social awkwardness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
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. Peter's first challenge comes from an unexpected source—not a powerful priest or soldier but a servant girl. The verb atenisasa autō (ἀτενίσασα αὐτῷ, 'having looked intently at him') indicates sustained, penetrating gaze. She studies his face in the firelight, and the Greek kai houtos syn autō ēn (καὶ οὗτος σὺν αὐτῷ ἦν, 'this one also was with him') uses syn (σύν, 'with'), the preposition of close association. She doesn't accuse Peter of being Jesus' disciple but simply observes he was 'with him'—guilty by association.
The irony is profound: Peter feared the powerful but falls to the powerless. A paidiskē (παιδίσκη, 'servant girl') has no authority to arrest or harm him, yet Peter's courage evaporates. This reveals that his bravado (v. 33, 'I am ready to go with thee') was self-confidence, not Spirit-confidence. When the Spirit departs, even a servant's observation terrifies. The maid's recognition suggests Peter's Galilean features or mannerisms betrayed him despite sitting silently.