Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of John 18:17
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also [one] of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
17. Then saith the damsel ] The damsel therefore ( Joh 18:3) saith.
Art not thou also ] Rather, Art thou also (as well as thy companion) or, surely thou art not: S. Peter’s denial is thus, as it were, put into his mouth. See on Joh 4:29 and comp. Joh 4:33, Joh 6:67, Joh 7:47, Joh 9:40. In all these passages the form of the question anticipates a negative answer.
one of this man’s disciples ] Or, one of the disciples of this man. ‘This man’ and the turn of the sentence are contemptuous. Comp. Joh 9:16; Joh 9:24, Joh 11:47. S. John had hurried on to the room where Christ was being examined; as at the Cross (Joh 19:26) he kept close to his Master; and in neither case was molested. S. Peter, who ‘followed afar off’ (Luk 22:54) and that rather out of curiosity ‘to see the end’ (Mat 26:58) than out of love, encountered temptation and fell.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 17. The damsel that kept the door] Caezarius, a writer quoted by Calmet, says this portress was named Ballila. It is worthy of remark that women, especially old women, were employed by the ancients as porters. In 2Sa 4:6, both the Septuagint and Vulgate make a woman porter to Ishbosheth. ARISTOPHANES, in Vespis, v. 765, mentions them in the same office and calls them , Sekis, which seems to signify a common maid-servant: –
.
And EURIPIDES, Troad. brings in Hecuba, complaining that she, who was wont to sit upon a throne, is now reduced to the miserable necessity of becoming a porter, or a nurse, in order to get a morsel of bread. And PLAUTUS, Curcul. Act. i. sc. 1, mentions an old woman who was keeper of the gate: –
Anus hic solet cubitare custos janitrix.
Why they, in preference to men, should be pitched upon for this office, I cannot conceive; but we find the usage was common in all ancient nations. See Clarke on Mt 26:69.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
This is Peters first denial of his Master; between which and his second denial (of which John saith nothing till he comes to Joh 18:26) the evangelist interposes many things not mentioned by the other evangelists.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
17. Then saith the damsel that keptthe door“one of the maids of the high priest,” saysMark (Mr 14:66). “Whenshe saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him and said” (Mr14:67). Luke is more graphic (Lu22:56) She “beheld him as he sat by the fire (literally,’the light’), and earnestly looked on him (fixed her gaze upon him),and said.” “His demeanor and timidity, which must havevividly showed themselves, as it so generally happens, leading to therecognition of him” [OLSHAUSEN].
Art thou not also one of thisman’s disciples?that is, thou as well as “that otherdisciple,” whom she knew to be one, but did not challenge,perceiving that he was a privileged person.
He saith, I am not“Hedenied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest” (Mt26:70) a common form of point blank denial; “I know[supply ‘Him’] not, neither understand I what thou sayest” (Mr14:68); “Woman, I know Him not” (Lu22:57). This was THE FIRSTDENIAL. “And he went out into the porch [thinking,perhaps, to steal away], and the cock crew,” (Mr14:68).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter,…. She being relieved, either by her father, if porter, or by a fellow servant, had the opportunity of coming into the hall, where Peter was, and was curious to observe him, who he should be, that that person of note should order him to be admitted, when an affair of so much privacy and importance was transacting; and either by Peter’s language, or the trouble that appeared in his countenance, or fancying: she had seen him in the temple, or in some part of the city in company With Jesus, addresses him after this manner:
art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? She speaks of Christ in the vulgar dialect of the Jews, calling him “this man”; not only esteeming him a mere man, but a worthless man; and knowing he had disciples, challenges him as one of them; when he, all in flight and surprise, not expecting such a question to be put to him, without any further thought, rashly and suddenly
he saith I am not: he never denied that Christ was God or the Son of God, or that he was come in the flesh, or that he was the Messiah and Saviour of sinners; but either that he did not know what the maid said, or the person she spoke of; or, as here, that he was one of his disciples; which was a very great untruth: and many are the aggravations of his fall; which came to pass as soon as ever he was entered almost; and that by the means of a maid, a servant maid, a very inferior one; and at first perhaps they were alone; and the question put to him might not be in a virulent way, nor proceed from malice, but commiseration of him; and yet he had not resolution enough to own himself a disciple of Jesus; which he might have done, and in all likelihood might have gone safe off directly: but he that had so much confidence as to say, though all men deny thee, yet will not I; and had so much courage, as, in the face of a band of soldiers, to draw his sword, and smite one of the high priest’s servants, but a few hours before, has not spirit enough in him to own his master before a servant maid!
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
The maid ( ). Feminine form of , diminutive of . See Mt 26:69. When “the maid the portress” (apposition).
Art thou also? ( ;). Expecting the negative answer, though she really believed he was.
This man’s ( ). Contemptuous use of with a gesture toward Jesus. She made it easy for Peter to say no.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
The damsel [ ] . See on Act 12:13.
Art thou [ ] . The question is put in a negative form, as if expecting a negative answer : thou art not, art thou?
Also. Showing that she recognized John as a disciple.
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
1) “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter,” (legei oun to Petro he paidiske he thuroros) “Then the portress or maidservant that kept the door said to Peter,” in an inquiring, suspicious manner, as he sat without in the palace, Mat 26:69. There were then and still are maids, female porters who wait on prominent persons of State.
2) “Art not thou also,” (me kai su) “Are not you also,” in addition to John who was at Jesus’ side, within the court proper, where the high priest Caiaphas, the scribes, and the elders were assembled, Mat 26:57. The term “thou also” seems to indicate that the maid knew John to be a disciple of Jesus and she perhaps innocently made the following remark.
3) “One of this man’s disciples?” (ek ton matheton ei tou anthropou toutou) “One of and from this man’s disciples?” A church disciple, a chosen follower and witness in His band?
4) “He saith, I am not.” (legei ekeinos ouk eimi) “That one (Peter) said, I am not,” fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus his Lord, only a few hours earlier in the evening, and breaking His vow to Jesus, made earlier that evening, Mat 26:31-35.
Surely “the fear of men bringeth a snare,” Pro 29:25; Mat 10:28; 2Ti 2:12.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
17. Then the maid that kept the door said to Peter. Peter is introduced into the high priest’s hall; but it cost him very dear, for, as soon as he sets his foot within it, he is constrained to deny Christ. When he stumbles so shamefully at the first step, the foolishness of his boasting is exposed. He had boasted that he would prove to be a valiant champion, and able to meet death with firmness; and now, at the voice of a single maid, and that voice unaccompanied by threatening, he is confounded and throws down his arms. Such is a demonstration of the power of man. Certainly, all the strength that appears to be in men is smoke, which a breath immediately drives away. When we are out of the battle, we are too courageous; but experience shows that our lofty talk is foolish and groundless; and, even when Satan makes no attacks, we contrive for ourselves idle alarms which disturb us before the time. The voice of a feeble woman terrified Peter: and what is the case with us? Do we not continually tremble at the rustling of a falling leaf? A false appearance of danger, which was still distant, made Peter tremble: and are we not every day led away from Christ by childish absurdities? In short, our courage is of such a nature, that, of its own accord, it gives way where there is no enemy; and thus does God revenge the arrogance of men by reducing fierce minds to a state of weakness. A man, filled not with fortitude but with wind, promises that he will obtain an easy victory over the whole world; and yet, no sooner does he see the shadow of a thistle, than he immediately trembles. Let us therefore learn not to be brave in any other than the Lord.
I am not. This does not seem, indeed, to be an absolute denial of Christ; but when Peter is afraid to acknowledge that he is one of Christs disciples, it amounts to an assertion that he has nothing to do with him. This ought to be carefully observed, that no one may imagine that he has escaped by acting the part of a sophist, when it is only in an indirect manner that he shrinks from the confession of his faith.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(17) On Peters denials, comp. Notes on Mat. 26:69-75, and see in this Gospel Joh. 13:38.
Art not thou also one of this mans disciples?i.e., Thou as well as thy friend, whom I know. There is no charge brought against him. The words are apparently simply words of recognition, or as furnishing a reason for admitting him with his friend, but Peter is conscious that he had attempted to kill, and had succeeded in wounding, one of the high priests servants. He therefore dreads this recognition.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘The maid therefore who guarded the door says to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He says, “I am not”. Now the servants and the officers were standing there having made a fire of charcoal, because it was cold. And they were warming themselves. And Peter was with them as well standing and warming himself. ’
Mar 14:66 confirms that she spoke to him once he had settled himself at the fire (Joh 18:18). She suggested that he had been with ‘the Nazarene Jesus’ and then asked him if he was a disciple. Servant’s gossip would have quickly spread something about the events taking place and her words may well not have been accusatory. One can possibly imagine the girl’s excitement at being so close to someone who may be an insurrectionist. And indeed the question expects a negative reply. She fears she will be disappointed. But Peter’s nerves have been stretched to breaking point and he panics. In Mark his denial is even more fervent. But Mark had the story directly from Peter who did not try to hide anything.
‘I am not.’ This is in direct contrast to Jesus’ twice repeated ‘I am’ (Joh 18:5-6).
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Joh 18:17. Art not thou also one, &c. It seems the damsel, after having admitted Peter, followed him to the fire, and spake to him there in an angry tone, having been informed that it was he who had cut off her fellow-servant’s ear. See Joh 18:26 and the parallel places.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.
Ver. 17. He saith, I am not ] False dissimulation is true denial. A silly wench is too hard for this stout stickler, who was alway Melius animatus quam armatus, as one observeth of him; Sic Elias fulminator ad Iesebelis minas trepidat, factus seipso imbecillior. “Thou also standest by faith: be not highminded, but fear,” Rom 11:20 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
17. ] See the whole subject of Peter’s denials Mar 14:69-72 .
This first denial was to all appearance rashly and almost inadvertently made, from a mere feeling of shame. Lcke suggests that Peter may have set himself among the servants of the High Priest to bear out his denial . The ( Joh 18:25 ), as Luthardt remarks, implies that the other disciple had already been recognized as a follower of Jesus, and had escaped annoyance.
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Joh 18:17 . Naturally he concluded from John’s introducing him that Peter was also a disciple, and as a mere innocent and purposeless remark says: ; “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He says, , “I am not”.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
not. Greek. me. App-105.
this Man’s = this fellow’s. Spoken in contempt. Man’s. App-123.
not. Greek ou. App-105.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
17.] See the whole subject of Peters denials Mar 14:69-72.
This first denial was to all appearance rashly and almost inadvertently made, from a mere feeling of shame. Lcke suggests that Peter may have set himself among the servants of the High Priest to bear out his denial. The (Joh 18:25), as Luthardt remarks, implies that the other disciple had already been recognized as a follower of Jesus, and had escaped annoyance.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Joh 18:17. ,) thou also, as many others, and as thy companion.[382] If the maid had been ignorant of the fact that that other disciple was a disciple, there is no doubt but that she would have questioned him also. Therefore the maid had not asked the question for the sake of injuring him, but lest she herself should come into danger. [She had previously permitted the unnamed disciple to introduce Peter; then at last, fearing that she had admitted in a strange man at an unseasonable time, she went near the light, and having found Peter, who after a brief sitting or lying down (accubitum) had presently after risen up again, she accosted him, thereby causing further questions to be put to him by the other servants also. Peter replied to the maid and the servants in the negative. This was the first denial. The same damsel made the beginning of that inquiry also, which impelled Peter to a second denial, after that he had been in the meantime occupied with warming himself in the palace, and had afterwards gone forth into the hall (atrium). Some of the servants, as naturally happens, were sitting, some were standing; Peter did both by turns. His first denial was whilst sitting; the second, whilst standing. Whilst these things were being done, which are recorded, ch. Joh 18:19-23, he stood near the fire; for which reason John twice introduces mention of his standing: Joh 18:18; Joh 18:25.-Harm., p. 535.] Nor was Peter in greater peril than the other disciple.
[382] The . An objection to -John being meant, as proposed in a former note-is Mat 26:56, All the disciples forsook Him, and fled. John, however, may have returned, as Peter did. Nicodemus, if he be meant, would be likely to know Peter as a fellow-disciple.-E. and T.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
Joh 18:17
Joh 18:17
The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this mans disciples? He saith, I am not.-This woman, damsel, had doubtless seen Peter at some time and now as he came in she asked him if he was not one of the company that followed Jesus. Peter, completely demoralized and disheartened in the presence of John, said, I am not. [He is not so keen now to use his sword since his Master is arrested and now before the court. Many, like Peter now, weaken and fail to declare the truth when it is not popular to do so.]
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the damsel: Joh 18:16, Mat 26:69, Mat 26:70, Mar 14:66-68, Luk 22:54, Luk 22:56, Luk 22:57
I am not: Joh 18:5, Joh 18:8, Joh 21:15, Mat 26:33
Reciprocal: Gen 18:15 – denied Mar 14:30 – before Mar 14:69 – a maid Luk 22:55 – had Joh 13:38 – The cock Joh 20:6 – General Joh 21:16 – the second Act 1:13 – Peter Act 4:13 – they took
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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The foregoing conversation evidently called the attention of the damsel to Peter, and she asked him about his relationship with this man, meaning Jesus. Peter denied being his disciple, fearing that it might involve him in some trouble.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Joh 18:17. The damsel therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also one of this mans disciples? He saith, I am not. The maid knew that John was one of the disciples of Jesus, and the interest taken by him in Peter leads her to suppose that the latter must also be one of them. She asks the question, and the first denial takes place. As Peter enters the court, he says, I am not. A little incident is now mentioned which, slight as it seems, must be carefully attended to.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
The servant girl recognized the "other disciple" as one of Jesus’ disciples. She asked Peter if he was one too, expecting a negative reply, as the Greek text makes clear. Her question reflected some disdain for Jesus. Peter succumbed to the pressure of the moment and denied his association with Jesus (13:37). Peter denied that he was one of Jesus’ disciples, not that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps what he had done to Malchus made him more eager to blend into his surroundings.