Bibelkommentare

Thou Christ (Χριστε). With definite sneer at his claims under oath in Matthew 26:63. With uncontrolled glee and abandon like a lot of hoodlums these doctors of divinity insulted Jesus. They actually spat in his face, buffeted him on the neck (εκολαφισαν, from κολαφος the fist), and struck him in the face with the palms of their hands (εραπισαν, from ραπις, a rod), all personal indignities after the legal injustice already done. They thus gave vent to their spite and hatred.

return to '

Thou also (κα συ). Peter had gone within (εσω) the palace (Matthew 26:58), but was sitting without (εξω) the hall where the trial was going on in the open central court with the servants or officers (υπηρετων, under rowers, literally, Matthew 26:58) of the Sanhedrin. But he could possibly see through the open door above what was going on inside. It is not plain at what stage of the Jewish trial the denials of Peter took place nor the precise order in which they came as the Gospels give them variously. This maid (παιδισκη, slave girl) stepped up to Peter as he was sitting in the court and pointedly said: "Thou also wast with Jesus the Galilean." Peter was warming himself by the fire and the light shone in his face. She probably had noticed Peter come in with John the Beloved Disciple who went on up into the hall of trial. Or she may have seen Peter with Jesus on the streets of Jerusalem.

return to '

I know not what thou sayest (ουκ οιδα τ λεγεις). It was an affectation of extreme ignorance (Bruce) that deceived no one. It was an easy and ancient dodge and easy subterfuge. Dalman (Words of Jesus, 80f.) suggests that Peter used the Galilean Aramaean word for know instead of the Judean Aramaean word which betrayed at once his Galilean residence.

return to '

Into the porch (εις τον πυλωνα). But Peter was not safe out here, for another maid recognized him and spoke of him as "this fellow" (ουτος) with a gesture to those out there.

return to '

With an oath (μετα ορκου). This time Peter added an oath, probably a former habit so common to the Jews at that time, and denied acquaintance with Jesus. He even refers to Jesus as "the man" (τον ανθρωπον), an expression that could convey contempt, "the fellow."

return to '

They that stood by (ο εστωτες). The talk about Peter continued. Luke (Luke 22:59) states that the little while was about an hour. The bystanders came up to Peter and bluntly assert that he was "of a truth" (αληθως) one of the followers of Jesus for his speech betrayed him. Even the Revised Version retains "bewrayeth," quaint old English for "betrayeth." The Greek has it simply "makes thee evident" (δηλον σε ποιε). His dialect (λαλια) clearly revealed that he was a Galilean. The Galileans had difficulty with the gutterals and Peter's second denial had exposed him to the tormenting raillery of the loungers who continued to nag him.

return to '

Then began he to curse and to swear (τοτε ηρξατο καταθεματιζειν κα ομνυειν). He repeated his denial with the addition of profanity to prove that he was telling the truth instead of the lie that they all knew. His repeated denials gave him away still more, for he could not pronounce the Judean gutterals. He called down on himself (καταθεματιζειν) imprecations in his desperate irritation and loss of self-control at his exposure. The cock crew (αλεκτων εφωνησεν). No article in the Greek, just "a cock crew" at that juncture, "straightway" (ευθυς). But it startled Peter.

return to '

Now when morning was come (πρωιας δε γενομενης). Genitive absolute. After dawn came the Sanhedrin held a formal meeting to condemn Jesus and so ratify the illegal trial during the night (Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71). Luke gives the details of this second ratification consultation. The phrase used, took counsel (συμβουλιον ελαβον) is a Latin idiom (consilium ceperunt) for συνεβουλευσαντο.

return to '