Luke 22:56
New International Version
A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.”

New Living Translation
A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

English Standard Version
Then a servant girl, seeing him as he sat in the light and looking closely at him, said, “This man also was with him.”

Berean Standard Bible
A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said.

Berean Literal Bible
And a certain servant girl, having seen him sitting by the light, and having looked intently on him, said, "This one also was with Him."

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And a certain servant girl, seeing him as he sat by the fire, looked intently at him and said, “This man was also with Him.”

New American Standard Bible
And a slave woman, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and staring at him, said, “This man was with Him as well.”

NASB 1995
And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”

NASB 1977
And a certain servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”

Legacy Standard Bible
And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”

Amplified Bible
And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, “This man was with Him too.”

Christian Standard Bible
When a servant saw him sitting in the light, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with him too.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When a servant saw him sitting in the firelight, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with Him too.”

American Standard Version
And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him.

Contemporary English Version
and a servant girl saw him. Then after she had looked at him carefully, she said, "This man was with Jesus!"

English Revised Version
And a certain maid seeing him as he sat in the light of the fire, and looking stedfastly upon him, said, This man also was with him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A female servant saw him as he sat facing the glow of the fire. She stared at him and said, "This man was with Jesus."

Good News Translation
When one of the servant women saw him sitting there at the fire, she looked straight at him and said, "This man too was with Jesus!"

International Standard Version
A servant girl saw him sitting by the fire, stared at him, and said, "This man was with him, too."

Majority Standard Bible
A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. ?This man also was with Him,? she said.

NET Bible
Then a slave girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight, stared at him and said, "This man was with him too!"

New Heart English Bible
A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with him."

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
when a maidservant saw him sitting by the fire, and, looking fixedly at him, she said, "This man also was with him."

World English Bible
A certain servant girl saw him as he sat in the light, and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and a certain maid having seen him sitting at the light, and having earnestly looked at him, she said, “And this one was with Him!”

Berean Literal Bible
And a certain servant girl, having seen him sitting by the light, and having looked intently on him, said, "This one also was with Him."

Young's Literal Translation
and a certain maid having seen him sitting at the light, and having earnestly looked at him, she said, 'And this one was with him!'

Smith's Literal Translation
And a certain young girl having seen him sitting by the light, and looked intently upon him, said, And this was with him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Whom when a certain servant maid had seen sitting at the light, and had earnestly beheld him, she said: This man also was with him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when a certain woman servant had seen him sitting in its light, and had looked at him intently, she said, “This one was also with him.”

New American Bible
When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, “This man too was with him.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, “This man also was with him.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And a young woman saw him sitting by the fire, and she looked at him and said, This man also was with him.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And a certain Maidservant saw him as he sat at the fire and she stared at him and she said, “This man also was with him.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And a certain maid-servant saw him sitting by the fire; and, looking intently at him, she said: This man also was with him.

Godbey New Testament
And a certain maidservant, seeing him sitting at the fire, and fixing her eyes on him, said, This man was with Him.

Haweis New Testament
But a certain maid-servant who sat at the fire, eyeing him, and looking at him stedfastly, said, This man was also with him.

Mace New Testament
but one of the servants seeing him by the fire, star'd him in the face, and said, this man was with him too.

Weymouth New Testament
when a maidservant saw him sitting by the fire, and, looking fixedly at him, she said, "This man also was with him."

Worrell New Testament
And a certain maid, seeing him sitting by the light, and looking intently at him, said, "This man also was with Him."

Worsley New Testament
and a servant-maid seeing him as he sat by the fire, and looking hard at him, said, This fellow was also with Him:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Peter Denies Jesus
55When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight and looked intently at him. “This man also was with Him,” she said. 57But Peter denied it. “Woman, I do not know Him,” he said.…

Cross References
Matthew 26:69-70
Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. / But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.”

Mark 14:66-68
While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant girls of the high priest came down / and saw him warming himself there. She looked at Peter and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.” / But he denied it. “I do not know or even understand what you are talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, and the rooster crowed.

John 18:17
At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered.

John 18:25-27
Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” / One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?” / Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Matthew 26:71-72
When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” / And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!”

Mark 14:69-70
There the servant girl saw him and again said to those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.” / But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.”

John 18:15-16
Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest. / But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

Matthew 26:73-74
After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” / At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

Mark 14:70-71
But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.” / But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak!”

John 13:36-38
“Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.” / “Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” / “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

Matthew 10:33
But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven.

Mark 8:38
If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

John 13:37-38
“Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.” / “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.

Matthew 26:34
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Mark 14:30
“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”


Treasury of Scripture

But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked on him, and said, This man was also with him.

a certain maid.

Matthew 26:69
Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

Mark 14:6,17,66-68
And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me…

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.

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Attention Beheld Closely Earnestly Eyes Fire Fixed Fixedly Girl Intently Light Maid Maidservant Sat Seated Servant Servant-Girl Sitting Stedfastly Woman-Servant
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Attention Beheld Closely Earnestly Eyes Fire Fixed Fixedly Girl Intently Light Maid Maidservant Sat Seated Servant Servant-Girl Sitting Stedfastly Woman-Servant
Luke 22
1. The leaders conspire against Jesus.
3. Satan prepares Judas to betray him.
7. The apostles prepare the Passover.
19. Jesus institutes his holy supper;
21. covertly foretells of the traitor;
24. rebukes the rest of his apostles from ambition;
31. assures Peter his faith should not fail;
34. and yet he should deny him thrice.
39. He prays in the mount, and sweats blood;
47. is betrayed with a kiss;
50. he heals Malchus' ear;
54. he is thrice denied by Peter;
63. shamefully abused;
66. and confesses himself to be the Son of God.














A servant girl saw him seated in the firelight
In the context of first-century Judea, servant girls often performed menial tasks and were present in various social settings, including courtyards where people gathered. The firelight suggests a nighttime setting, likely in the courtyard of the high priest where Jesus was being tried. The fire would have been a source of warmth and light, drawing people together. This setting is significant as it highlights Peter's vulnerability and the intimacy of the moment. The firelight also serves as a metaphor for exposure, as Peter's identity and allegiance are about to be revealed.

and looked intently at him.
The act of looking intently indicates scrutiny and recognition. In a culture where social hierarchies were pronounced, a servant girl addressing a man directly would have been unusual, suggesting the intensity of her conviction. This moment of recognition is pivotal, as it sets the stage for Peter's denial. The intense gaze can be seen as a moment of confrontation, where Peter's internal struggle between fear and faith is brought to the forefront.

“This man also was with Him,” she said.
The servant girl's statement is an accusation that identifies Peter as a follower of Jesus. This reflects the growing tension and danger for Jesus' disciples following His arrest. Her words are simple yet profound, as they challenge Peter's loyalty and force him to confront his association with Jesus. This moment fulfills Jesus' earlier prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (Luke 22:34). Theologically, this highlights human frailty and the struggle to remain faithful under pressure. It also serves as a reminder of the cost of discipleship and the courage required to stand with Christ in times of trial.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Peter
One of Jesus' closest disciples, known for his boldness and later leadership in the early church. At this moment, he is in a vulnerable position, having followed Jesus after His arrest.

2. Servant Girl
A young female servant who recognizes Peter as a follower of Jesus. Her observation sets the stage for Peter's denial.

3. Firelight
The setting where Peter is warming himself, symbolizing both physical warmth and the spiritual trial he is about to face.

4. Jesus' Arrest
The event preceding this scene, where Jesus is taken by the authorities, leading to Peter's fear and subsequent denial.

5. Denial of Peter
This event is part of the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crows.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Fear and Peer Pressure
Peter's denial highlights how fear and the desire to fit in can lead us to compromise our faith. We must be vigilant and rely on God's strength to stand firm.

The Importance of Spiritual Preparedness
Peter's failure serves as a reminder of the need for prayer and spiritual readiness, especially in times of trial. Jesus had urged His disciples to pray to avoid falling into temptation.

God's Grace and Restoration
Despite Peter's denial, Jesus later restores him, demonstrating God's grace and willingness to forgive. This encourages us to seek forgiveness and restoration when we fall short.

The Role of Prophecy and Fulfillment
Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial and its fulfillment underscores the reliability of His words and the importance of trusting in His promises.

The Power of Witness and Testimony
The servant girl's recognition of Peter as a follower of Jesus reminds us of the impact our association with Christ can have on others, for better or worse.(56) As he sat by the fire.--Literally, by the light, or blaze, as in Mark 14:54.

Earnestly looked upon him.--The verb and adverb are both expressed by St. Luke's characteristic word. (See Note on Luke 4:20.)

This man was also with him.--Minute as the coincidence is, it is interesting to note that it is through St. John's narrative that we get the explanation of the "also." St. John had been already seen and known as a disciple of Jesus (John 18:15).

Verse 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. Comparing the several accounts of the evangelists together, we see how naturally the incidents followed each other. As he entered, the portress first thought she recognized him as one of the followers of the well-known Teacher just arrested on a capital charge. Then as, weary and chilled, he drew near the fire, the firelight shone on his face, a face known to many who had listened during the last few days to his Master as he taught, with his disciples grouped round him in the temple-courts before crowds of listeners. Thoroughly alarmed, he drew aside from the friendly warmth of the fire into the outer shade of the gateway; yet he could not tear himself away from the neighborhood of the spot where his dear Master was being interrogated by his deadly foes; and even there, while lurking in the shadow, he was recognized again, and then, just as he was in the act of fiercely denying, with oaths and curses, his friendship for and connection with Jesus, came the Master by, after the second examination before Caiaphas and certain members of the Sanhedrin, being conducted by the guard to another and more formal court. And as the Master passed, he turned and looked upon his poor cowardly disciple.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
A
τις (tis)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

servant girl
παιδίσκη (paidiskē)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3814: A female slave, maidservant, maid, young girl. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, i.e., a female slave or servant.

saw
ἰδοῦσα (idousa)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3708: Properly, to stare at, i.e. to discern clearly; by extension, to attend to; by Hebraism, to experience; passively, to appear.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

seated
καθήμενον (kathēmenon)
Verb - Present Participle Middle or Passive - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2521: To sit, be seated, enthroned; I dwell, reside. From kata; and hemai; to sit down; figuratively, to remain, reside.

in
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

the
τὸ (to)
Article - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

firelight
φῶς (phōs)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5457: Light, a source of light, radiance. From an obsolete phao; luminousness.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

looked intently at
ἀτενίσασα (atenisasa)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 816: To direct my gaze, look steadily. From a compound of a and teino; to gaze intently.

him.
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“This [man]
οὗτος (houtos)
Demonstrative Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3778: This; he, she, it.

was
ἦν (ēn)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

also
Καὶ (Kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

with
σὺν (syn)
Preposition
Strong's 4862: With. A primary preposition denoting union; with or together.

Him,”
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

she said.
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.


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NT Gospels: Luke 22:56 A certain servant girl saw him as (Luke Lu Lk)
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