“Art not thou also one of his disciples?”
The full verse · John 18:25 · KJV
warmed . They unto , one ? it, , I .
Asked by
Bystanders: the servants and officers standing with Peter at the fire of coals in the high priest's palace (John 18:18, 25)
Asked to
Peter: Simon Peter, one of the twelve apostles, who had already denied being Jesus' disciple at the door (John 18:17)
The Scene
While Jesus is being questioned and then sent bound to Caiaphas, Peter stands warming himself at the fire with the servants and officers (John 18:18, 24-25).
Why It Was Asked
The purpose behind the questionPeter had placed himself among the servants and officers, and officers had helped take Jesus (John 18:12, 18). Now they began to wonder about him. Gill identifies "they" as "the servants and officers, among whom he stood." Their question repeats the doorkeeper's almost word for word (John 18:17), so the suspicion had not gone away. The other Gospels show that more than one person pressed him at this point: "another maid" in Matthew 26:71 and "another" in Luke 22:58. John simply says "they."
The Response
What Scripture records"He denied it, and said, I am not" (John 18:25). It was the same answer he gave at the door. Matthew records that this time he "denied with an oath" (Matthew 26:72). Gill says he denied "from the fear of men; and being ashamed of Christ." A third question followed (John 18:26-27); Luke says it came "about the space of one hour after" (Luke 22:59).
Historical Context
The world behind the wordsThe night was cold, so the servants and officers "had made a fire of coals" (John 18:18). Gill remarks that Peter was cold "both inwardly and outwardly," and that by the light of the fire he was noticed and challenged again.
The four Gospels each tell Peter's denials in their own way (Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:55-62). They name different speakers but agree on three denials before the cock crew. Barnes, on this verse, sends readers to his notes on Matthew 26:72-74 and Matthew 27:1-2, where he fits the Gospel accounts together.
The Bigger Picture
Where this fits in God's storyJohn places this second denial right after Jesus stands up to the officer (John 18:22-25). The Master asked for the truth to be told; the disciple kept hiding it. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary observes, "The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another."
Yet this is also a story about Jesus' foreknowledge and patience. He had told Peter exactly this would happen (John 13:38). Peter's failure did not catch Jesus by surprise, and it did not end Peter's story.
Look Closer
Where was Peter standing when he was asked the second time?
Carry the question into prayer and conversation.
Father, when I have already gone a wrong way once, what helps me turn back before I go further?
A prayer to carry into the day.
- Peter's first denial made the second easier. Why do you think it is harder to change course after a first wrong step?
- Peter warmed himself with the officers who had taken Jesus. What places or groups make it easier or harder for you to be honest about following Christ?
For you, a small group, a friend, or the dinner table.
One denial made the next easier. When you notice that you have hidden your faith once, the best time to turn is right away, before the pattern grows. A single honest word can stop a chain of half-truths.
Peter's story also shows that where you stand matters. He was warming himself with the officers who had taken Jesus, and the questions kept coming. This does not mean you should avoid people who do not share your faith. It means being honest with yourself about places where you are likely to hide who you are, and asking God for courage there.
Built from the biblical text and checked against trusted commentaries and lexicons. References & Sources
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