What Does Luke 22:57 Mean?

And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. Peter's first denial is direct and emphatic. The Greek ērnēsato legōn (ἠρνήσατο λέγων, 'he denied saying') uses arneomai (ἀρνέομαι), meaning to disown, repudiate, refuse association with. Jesus used this same verb in Luke 9:23: 'let him deny himself and take up his cross'—Peter denies Christ instead of self. The statement ouk oida auton, gynai (οὐκ οἶδα αὐτόν, γύναι, 'I do not know him, woman') uses oida (οἶδα), meaning intimate knowledge, not mere acquaintance. Peter claims complete ignorance of the man he confessed as 'the Christ of God' (Luke 9:20).

This lie contradicts three years of discipleship, countless miracles witnessed, intimate conversations, and Peter's recent confession. Yet fear erases memory. The address gynai (γύναι, 'woman') is respectful but distancing—Peter doesn't engage her claim, simply denies it. Hours earlier he declared, 'Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death' (v. 33). Jesus responded, 'before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice' (v. 34). Peter's self-confidence has become self-destruction.