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.

LUKE 22:56KJV
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Luke 22:56 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:56 mean?

Luke 22:56 describes a moment when a servant girl notices Peter sitting by a fire and looks closely at him, then says that Peter was also with Jesus. This verse shows the beginning of Peter being recognized as a follower of Jesus during the events leading up to Jesus’ trial.

In this scene, Peter is in the courtyard after Jesus has been arrested. The "maid" (a young female servant) is the first to identify Peter as someone who had been with Jesus. Her observation sets in motion Peter’s denial, a key moment in the story. The verse highlights how even a casual bystander could recognize Jesus’ followers, adding tension to Peter’s situation.

The Greek behind Luke 22:56

  • "maid" (παιδίσκη, paidiskē): This word refers to a young female servant or slave girl. The use of this term shows that it was not a person of authority, but someone of low social standing, who first challenged Peter.
  • "earnestly looked" (ἀτενίσας, atenisas): This word means to look intently or fix one’s gaze. The servant girl didn’t just glance at Peter—she stared at him, suggesting she was trying to be sure of his identity.
  • "with" (σύν, syn): This preposition means "together with" or "in company with." The girl’s statement is clear—she is saying Peter was in close association with Jesus, not just a casual acquaintance.

Why Luke 22:56 matters

  • This verse sets the stage for Peter’s threefold denial, a significant event in all four Gospels, showing the pressure and fear Jesus’ followers faced after his arrest.
  • The fact that a servant girl is the first to recognize Peter emphasizes that Jesus’ followers could be identified by anyone, not just authorities, making Peter’s situation more precarious.
  • Luke’s account draws attention to the details of the recognition—how Peter is seen, stared at, and accused—highlighting the vulnerability and humanity of Peter in this moment.

Where else these words appear

“maid” Greek G3814 · used in 12 verses

  • Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.
  • Luke 12:45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;
  • Galatians 4:22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.

“looked” Greek G816 · used in 14 verses

  • Luke 4:20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.
  • Acts 6:15 And all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
  • Acts 13:9 Then Saul,(who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

“fire” Greek G5457 · used in 59 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • John 3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
  • Romans 2:19 And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness,

“sat” Greek G2521 · used in 87 verses

  • Matthew 4:16 The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.
  • Luke 1:79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.
  • Revelation 4:9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,