Section 18:25–27

Peter denied Jesus again

The events in this section took place outside the high priest’s house at the same time that they questioned Jesus inside. Peter twice more denied that he was a follower of Jesus. Then the cock crowed.

Here are other possible section headings:

Peter denied being Jesus’ disciple two more times
-or-
Peter denied knowing Jesus twice more
-or-
Peter again said that he was not a follower of Jesus

18:25a

The Greek conjunction that begins this verse is left implicit in the Berean Standard Bible. It indicates two things. First, it indicates a return to the story about Peter. Second, it indicates that this is the beginning of parenthetical information. Here are other ways to translate this clause to indicate at least one of those things:

Meanwhile, Simon Peter was still standing there warming himself (New International Version)
-or-
While Simon Peter was standing there warming himself (Contemporary English Version)

Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself: This clause is not new information but it brings the story back to Peter. It repeats the information that Peter was standing outside among the guards and servants and warming himself (see 18:18). This is also parenthetical, background information, not a main event in the story. This was happening at the same time that Annas was questioning Jesus. Translate this in the way that is natural in your language for returning to a story that was interrupted. For example:

Peter was still standing there keeping himself warm. (Good News Translation)

Simon Peter: See how you translated this name in 18:10 and 18:15.

standing and warming himself: Peter was standing with the servants by the fire. See how you translated this idea in 18:18.

18:25b

So: The Berean Standard Bible translates literally the Greek conjunction as So. This word indicates the end of the parenthetical information in 18:25a. It is sometimes translated “therefore” and some English translations translate it that way here. Other translations leave the word implicit. It is recommended that you indicate the end of the parenthetical information in a way that is natural in your language.

they asked him: This clause indicates that one or more of the people standing around the fire with Peter asked the question. In some languages it is more natural to use a singular subject. For example:

One of those ⌊standing there⌋ asked Peter

Because the speakers are not identified, in some language it may be natural to use a passive verb. For example:

Peter was asked
-or-
Peter was asked questions about Jesus

Aren’t you also one of His disciples?: This is a question is almost the same as the one in 18:17. As with that verse, there are different ways to understand this question. See the note at 18:17a for a description of the issue. Again it is recommended that you interpret the question as one that expects a negative answer (Peter was not a disciple). Here are other ways to translate this question:

You aren’t one of Jesus’ disciples too, are you?

also: The word also here means “as well as the other disciples.” It does not imply that the speakers were disciples. If a literal translation would give that wrong idea, it is best to leave this word implied or untranslated.

His disciples: The pronoun His refers to Jesus. In some languages it may be necessary to make this explicit:

Jesus’ disciples/followers
-or-
those who follow Jesus

disciples: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as disciples refers to “learners” or “followers” who commit themselves to their teacher. They do that in order to learn and follow his teaching and example. See how you translated this word in 18:15.

18:25c

He denied it and said, “I am not.”: The verbs denied and said in this context refer to the same action, that of speaking. In some languages it is more natural to use only one verb, perhaps using indirect speech. For example:

Peter denied that it was true.
-or-
Peter said it was not true; he said, “No, I am not.” (New Century Version)
-or-
Peter denied that he was one of Jesus’ disciples.

I am not: This clause is short for “No, I am not one of Jesus’ disciples.” Include as much of the sentence as is natural in your language.

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