Luke 22:58
And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
Original Language Analysis
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
2 of 19
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
ἰδὼν
saw
G1492
ἰδὼν
saw
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
5 of 19
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 19
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
ἔφη
and said
G5346
ἔφη
and said
Strong's:
G5346
Word #:
7 of 19
to show or make known one's thoughts, i.e., speak or say
Καὶ
And
G2532
Καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἐξ
of
G1537
ἐξ
of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 19
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
him
G846
αὐτῶν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
11 of 19
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
15 of 19
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
Historical Context
The rapid succession of denials (three within perhaps an hour) shows mob psychology at work—once Peter is identified, others join the accusation. Matthew 26:71 places the second denial at the gateway, suggesting Peter tried to leave but was stopped. Mark 14:69-70 indicates the same servant girl from the first denial alerted others. Peter found himself trapped—leaving would confirm guilt, staying meant continued interrogation. His denials bought time but compounded guilt.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does the second lie come more easily than the first? How does sin create momentum?
- What drives Peter to lie to multiple people rather than simply leave the courtyard?
- How does Peter's repeated 'I am not' contrast with Jesus' willingness to confess truth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. Peter's second denial comes quickly—meta brachy (μετὰ βραχύ, 'after a short time'), perhaps minutes. A different accuser, heteros (ἕτερος, 'another' of different kind), identifies Peter. The accusation kai sy ex autōn ei (καὶ σὺ ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶ, 'you also are of them') groups Peter with Jesus' followers—'them,' the despised Galilean sect. Peter's response is curt: anthrōpe, ouk eimi (ἄνθρωπε, οὐκ εἰμί, 'man, I am not'). The address anthrōpe (ἄνθρωπε) is more dismissive than gynai—equivalent to 'fellow' or 'friend,' creating distance.
The second denial comes easier than the first—sin's progression. Having lied once, the second lie flows naturally. Peter doesn't elaborate or explain; he simply contradicts. The verb eimi (εἰμί, 'I am') is the same Jesus uses for divine self-identification (John 8:58, 'Before Abraham was, I AM'). Peter denies the 'I am' of discipleship while Jesus inside affirms the 'I AM' of deity. The contrast couldn't be starker: Jesus confesses truth unto death; Peter denies truth to preserve life.