John Calvin Commentary John 18:17

"The maid therefore that kept the door saith unto Peter, Art thou also [one] of this man`s disciples? He saith, I am not." — John 18:17 (ASV)

Then the maid that kept the door said to Peter. Peter is introduced into the high priest’s hall; but it cost him dearly, for, as soon as he sets his foot within it, he is compelled to deny Christ. When he stumbles so shamefully at the first step, the foolishness of his boasting is exposed.

He had boasted that he would prove to be a valiant champion, able to meet death with firmness; and now, at the voice of a single maid, and that voice unaccompanied by threats, he is confounded and throws down his arms. Such is a demonstration of human power.

Certainly, all the strength that appears to be in humans is smoke, which a breath immediately drives away. When we are out of the battle, we are overly courageous; but experience shows that our lofty talk is foolish and groundless. Even when Satan makes no attacks, we contrive for ourselves idle alarms which disturb us prematurely.

The voice of a frail woman terrified Peter: and what is the case with us? Do we not continually tremble at the rustling of a falling leaf? A false appearance of danger, which was still distant, made Peter tremble: and are we not every day led away from Christ by childish absurdities?

In short, our courage is of such a nature that, on its own, it gives way where there is no enemy. Thus God avenges the arrogance of humans by reducing fierce minds to a state of weakness. A man, filled not with fortitude but with wind, promises that he will obtain an easy victory over the whole world; and yet, no sooner does he see the shadow of a thistle, than he immediately trembles. Let us therefore learn to be brave only in the Lord.

I am not. This does not seem, indeed, to be an absolute denial of Christ; but when Peter is afraid to acknowledge that he is one of Christ's disciples, it amounts to an assertion that he has nothing to do with Him. This should be carefully observed, so that no one might imagine that he has escaped by acting the part of a sophist, when he only indirectly shrinks from the confession of his faith.