Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible

But Peter was standing at the door without. So the other disciple who was known unto the high priest, went out and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

The circumstance of John's being favorably known to the high priest was that which provided this eyewitness account and also resulted in Peter's admittance to the theater of his triple denial. Thus the question left dangling in the synoptics as to how Peter happened to be at the trial, or near it, is cleared up by this circumstance, as is also the status of the "damsel" who questioned Peter.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

But Peter stood at the door without,.... It being difficult to get in; and perhaps he might be fearful too of going in, lest he should be known; however, he waited, if he could hear or see anything, and for a proper opportunity of entrance: it would have been well if he had took the hint of providence, access not being easy, and have gone his way; for he was now at the door of temptation: it would have been best for him, if he had kept without; and indeed at a greater distance; but his curiosity had led him thus far, and he hoped for an opportunity of getting nearer, which offered in the following manner:

then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest; seeing Peter through the window, by the light of the moon, for it was full moon; and knowing him, who he was, concluded he had a mind to come in, and hear and see what he could, steps out,

and spake unto her that kept the door; which might be thought more properly the business of menservants; but these being employed in apprehending and guarding Jesus, the maid, servants might be obliged to take this post. The Ethiopic version, in the next verse, calls her the doorkeeper's daughter; her father might be the porter, and he being busy, she supplied his place. Though there is no need of these conjectures, since it was usual with other nations, and it might be with the Jews, for women to be doorkeepers, as Pignorius^F12De Servis, p. 454,455. has shown out of Plautus, Petronius, Pausanias, and others. However, the other disciple, who was a man of figure and authority, and was known by the servants of the family, ordered her to open the door, and let Peter in; who accordingly did:

and brought in Peter; into the hall, where Jesus was, under the examination of the high priest.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

But Peter stood at the door without — by preconcerted arrangement with his friend till he should get access for him.

Then went out that other  …  and spake to her that kept the door, and brought in Peter — The naturalness of these small details is not unworthy of notice. This other disciple first made good his own entrance on the score of acquaintance with the high priest; this secured, he goes forth again, now as a privileged person, to make interest for Peter‘s admission. But thus our poor disciple is in the coils of the serpent. The next steps will best be seen by inverting John 18:17 and John 18:18.

Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament

Was standing (ιστηκει — histēkei). Same form in John 18:5 which see. So also ιστηκεισαν — histēkeisan in John 18:18. Picture of Peter standing outside by the door.

Vincent's Word Studies

Stood

Properly, was standing.

Door

The door opening from the street into the court.

Her that kept the door ( τῇ θυρωρῷ )

See on John 10:3.

The Fourfold Gospel

1. And spake unto her that kept the door. It is still customary to have female porters at the houses of the great and rich. See Acts 12:13.

2. And brought in Peter. John would have shown a truer kindness to Peter had he let him stay out.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

16 But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

Ver. 16. But Peter stood at the door] Better he had kept him further off. He that will not fall into the ditch, must not walk too near the brim. Peter might better have bestowed himself somewhere else. Longe utilius fuisset, gemere, et precari in obscuro aliquo angulo, saith Musculus. It had been better for him to have been praying in a corner than thus to put himself upon a danger, unless he had known himself the stronger. Luther comforted the men of Miltenberg by an epistle; and because they were forbidden to meet and talk together about matters of religion, upon pain of death, he adviseth those of them that were strong in the spirit to do their duty, notwithstanding the danger. But for the weaker sort he exhorteth them to rejoice secretly in the Lord and to pray to him for further strength, that they may be able to make a bold and wise profession of his truth. Qui infirmiores sunt, tacite in Domino gaudeant, Deumque rogent, ut se quoque animet ad publicam veritatis professionem.

Greek Testament Critical Exegetical Commentary

16. τῇ θυρ.] It was not unexampled to have female porters among the Jews: see reff.

Johann Albrecht Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament

John 18:16. ἔξω, without) The disciple, although known as such (John has not added in this place κεκρυμμένον, secretly, as in ch. John 19:38),(381) walking in openly, is safer than Peter, who was not known as such, and who acts timidly. General hatred of religion admits of an exception in the case of personal friends, so as to connive at them.— εἶπε, spake) asking her to allow him to bring in Peter.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

This further confirmeth the conjecture of those, who think that other disciple was none of the apostles, but a favourer of Christ, that lived in Jerusalem, and was of some repute either for estate or place; so as he had not only an acquaintance with the high priest, but also with his family; and could gain admittance into his palace, not only for himself but also for his friend.

Alexander MacLaren's Expositions of Holy Scripture

был знаком первосвященнику По-видимому, Иоанн был более чем просто знакомым, потому что выражение, переведенное как «знаком», может означать «друг» (Лк. 2:44). Упоминание им Никодима (3:1) и Иосифа (19:38) может означать, что он знал и других известных иудеев.

(18:16-18)Петр Здесь записано первое из трех предсказанных отречений Петра (см. пояснение к 18:25-27).

Justin Edwards' Family Bible New Testament

Brought in Peter; into the hall or court, which was a square space open above, around which the palace was built. The chamber in which the trial of Jesus was going on was open in front, so that Peter could witness the trial, and Jesus could see Peter. Mark 14:66; Luke 22:61.

Whedon's Commentary on the Bible

16.Her that kept the door—It is customary, even at the present day, in the East, for the doors of the wealthy to be superintended by a portress, who receives a fee for her services from the visitors.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

‘But Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple went and spoke to the woman who guarded the door, and brought in Peter.’

The reminiscences are clear and natural, suggesting one who was there. There is really no reason to doubt them. This disciple had bravely followed closely behind the group who held Jesus, along with Peter, and had had no difficulty in getting in because he was known. But then he realised that Peter had been left behind and he realised why. He had been refused entrance. So he went back and obtained entrance for him by vouching for him. It was after all a private residence.

Schaff's Popular Commentary on the New Testament

John 18:16. But Peter stood at the door without. Peter is stopped at the door; and, while he stands there, Jesus is lost to his view.

The other disciple therefore, which was known unto the high priest, went forth and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter. The circumstance thus related is in the highest degree natural, and it is related in the most simple manner.

The Expositor's Greek Testament

John 18:16_{. Peter, not being known to the household, was excluded and stood outside at the door, , cf.}John 20:11_{. John, missing him, spoke to the doorkeeper and introduced him. , female doorkeepers appear} 2 Samuel 4:6_, Acts 12:13_{, and see Wetstein.}

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

stood = was standing.

at. Greek. pros. App-104.

her that kept the door = doorkeeper. Greek thuroros. Here and in John 18:17 feminine. Occurs elsewhere John 10:3. Mark 13:34 (masculine) Female porters were not uncommon. Compare Acts 12:13. The Septuagint reads in 2 Samuel 4:6, "The porter (feminine) of the house winnowed wheat, and slumbered and slept". Compare Josephus, Antiq., bk. vii, ch. ii. 1.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(16) But Peter stood at the door without.—i.e., at the door of the court. He remained here with the crowd. Jesus as a prisoner, and the other disciple as a friend of the high priest, went into the court.

Unto her that kept the door.—Comp. Acts 12:13 and 2 Samuel 4:6 (LXX.). That women “kept the door” among the Jews we know from Josephus (Ant vii. 2, § 1).

Ernst Hengstenberg on John, Revelation, Ecclesiastes, Ezekiel & Psalms

Ver. 16. "But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter."

Expositors condemn Peter for having, in his weakness, ventured so much. Even Calvin says: "As Christ had declared by His own voice that He spared Peter and the others, it would have been far better to groan and pray in some obscure corner, than to go openly before the eyes of man when he was so little firm." That may be true; but love vanquishes reasoning, and after all Peter following Christ is dearer in his denial, than if, without denying, he had remained in some obscure corner. It must have been a mighty and irresistible impulse which urged Peter to follow Christ. He had more to fear than all the others; for it was he who had smote off the ear of the high priest's servant, ver. 26. That made his situation peculiarly dangerous; and explains how it was that he was embarrassed by addresses which under other circumstances would have been regarded as harmless mockery. At the time of the outrage, our Lord's healing act had restrained the servants from attacking Peter. But it was very natural that the act was revived in their remembrance. Since Peter had not a good conscience in relation to that act, and had been by the Lord Himself reproved, it must have been all the more natural that he should expect to suffer for it.

What John said to the portress is not told, because it may be inferred from what she thereupon did. Genesis 4:8 is similar: "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass when they were in the field." What Cain said to Abel, "Let us go into the field," is to be supplied from what follows.