PrevLuke 22:59Next

Luke 22

Now the feast of unleavened bread drew nigh, which is called the Passover.

And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them.

And they were glad, and covenanted to give him money.

And he promised, and sought opportunity to betray him unto them in the absence of the multitude.

Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him.

And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer:

For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves:

For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come.

And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.

And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed!

And they began to inquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.

And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.

And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.

But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.

For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.

Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:

But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.

For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.

And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.

And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him.

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.

And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.

And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.

But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword?

And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.

Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

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.

And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not.

And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.

And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him.

And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee?

And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe:

And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

What does Luke 22:59 mean?

Explanation

Luke 22:59 presents a scene where Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, is recognized as one of Jesus' followers, about an hour after two previous denials.

The verse indicates that a person confidently asserts this identification, noticing Peter is a Galilean, probably by his accent or mannerisms.

The verse illustrates the theme of prophecy fulfillment and personal failure, where Peter had been forewarned by Jesus that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crows.

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

The passage is part of the broader narrative of the Passion Week in the Gospel of Luke. Jesus had been arrested and was going through trials, and Peter followed at a distance. The events occur after the Last Supper and during the early morning hours of Jesus' crucifixion day.

The context includes the tension and danger associated with being identified as a follower of Jesus at this time, which would have been great due to the Roman and Jewish authorities seeking to suppress any uprising or disturbance of the peace during the Passover festival.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives view this passage in various ways.

From a traditional Christian viewpoint, this episode underscores human weakness and the need for divine grace.

It is juxtaposed with Jesus' steadfastness in the face of suffering.

Some may view it as a test of faith, where Peter fails, yet this failure is part of a larger redemption narrative. Liberation theology might highlight the social and political pressures that lead to Peter's denial as an example of systemic sin.

Practical Applications

This verse can serve as a reminder of the challenges of standing firm in one's faith under pressure.

It encourages believers to anticipate moments of weakness and to seek strength in community and prayer.

It also teaches about forgiveness and restoration, as Peter's story did not end with his denial.

Cross-References

Matthew 26:73-74: "And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrayeth thee."
Mark 14:70: "And he denied it again.

And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto."

Luke 22:34: "And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me."
John 18:26-27: "One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew."

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of this verse include:

"Confidently affirmed" (διϊσχυρίζετο, diischurizeto): meaning to assert strongly or insist vehemently.
"Truth" (ἀλήθεια, alētheia): often indicates what is real, actual, or genuine.
"Fellow" (ἄνθρωπος, anthropos): a common term for a man or person.
"Galilaean" (Γαλιλαῖος, Galilaios): an inhabitant of Galilee, used here to identify Peter as having an association with a region distinct from Jerusalem.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In other religious traditions, the concept of denial and later redemption is not uncommon.

For example, in some Hindu texts, characters go through periods of failure before achieving their greater destiny.

Similarly, ancient myths are replete with heroes who fail before they succeed.

The narrative of Peter's denial can be compared to such stories to highlight universal themes of human fallibility and moral growth.

Scientific Perspectives

Science does not typically intersect directly with events like the one described in this verse.

However, modern psychology might offer insights into Peter's actions, possibly examining the psychosocial factors influencing his denial, such as fear, peer pressure, and self-preservation instincts.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentators have offered perspectives on this verse:

William Barclay notes that the Galilean dialect marked Peter as being from the same region as Jesus, making his association with Jesus more likely.
Matthew Henry Commentary describes the providence in the circumstance of this accusation coming later, giving Peter more time to think and increasing his guilt and repentance.
The Pulpit Commentary discusses the increasing confidence of the accusers as time passed, which emphasizes the growing certainty in the atmosphere around Peter and serves to heighten the dramatic event of his final denial and subsequent remorse.

Luke 22

Luke 22

What does Luke 22:59 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Luke 22:59 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Luke Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?