SEV Biblia, Chapter 18:17
Entonces la criada portera dijo a Pedro: ¿No eres t tambin de los discípulos de este hombre? Dice l: No soy.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - John 18:17
Verse 17. The damsel that kept the door] Caezarius, a writer quoted by Calmet, says this portress was named Ballila. It is worthy of remark that women, especially old women, were employed by the ancients as porters. In 2 Sam. iv. 6, both the Septuagint and Vulgate make a woman porter to Ishbosheth. ARISTOPHANES, in Vespis, v. 765, mentions them in the same office and calls them shkiv, Sekis, which seems to signify a common maid-servant: - oti thn quran anewzen h shkiv laqra.
And EURIPIDES, Troad. brings in Hecuba, complaining that she, who was wont to sit upon a throne, is now reduced to the miserable necessity of becoming a porter, or a nurse, in order to get a morsel of bread. And PLAUTUS, Curcul. Act. i. sc. 1, mentions an old woman who was keeper of the gate: - Anus hic solet cubitare custos janitrix.
Why they, in preference to men, should be pitched upon for this office, I cannot conceive; but we find the usage was common in all ancient nations. See the notes on Matt. xxvi. 69.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter , etc.] She being relieved, either by her father, if porter, or by a fellow servant, had the opportunity of coming into the hall, where Peter was, and was curious to observe him, who he should be, that that person of note should order him to be admitted, when an affair of so much privacy and importance was transacting; and either by Peters language, or the trouble that appeared in his countenance, or fancying: she had seen him in the temple, or in some part of the city in company With Jesus, addresses him after this manner: art not thou also one of this mans disciples ? She speaks of Christ in the vulgar dialect of the Jews, calling him this man; not only esteeming him a mere man, but a worthless man; and knowing he had disciples, challenges him as one of them; when he, all in flight and surprise, not expecting such a question to be put to him, without any further thought, rashly and suddenly he saith I am not : he never denied that Christ was God or the Son of God, or that he was come in the flesh, or that he was the Messiah and Saviour of sinners; but either that he did not know what the maid said, or the person she spoke of; or, as here, that he was one of his disciples; which was a very great untruth: and many are the aggravations of his fall; which came to pass as soon as ever he was entered almost; and that by the means of a maid, a servant maid, a very inferior one; and at first perhaps they were alone; and the question put to him might not be in a virulent way, nor proceed from malice, but commiseration of him; and yet he had not resolution enough to own himself a disciple of Jesus; which he might have done, and in all likelihood might have gone safe off directly: but he that had so much confidence as to say, though all men deny thee, yet will not I; and had so much courage, as, in the face of a band of soldiers, to draw his sword, and smite one of the high priests servants, but a few hours before, has not spirit enough in him to own his master before a servant maid!
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-27 - Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the lettin forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie need another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselve to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we may fear that God will leave us to shame ourselves. The said nothing concerning the miracles of Jesus, by which he had done s much good, and which proved his doctrine. Thus the enemies of Christ whilst they quarrel with his truth, wilfully shut their eyes agains it. He appeals to those who heard him. The doctrine of Christ ma safely appeal to all that know it, and those who judge in truth bea witness to it. Our resentment of injuries must never be passionate. He reasoned with the man that did him the injury, and so may we.
Greek Textus Receptus
λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S ουν 3767 CONJ η 3588 T-NSF παιδισκη 3814 N-NSF η 3588 T-NSF θυρωρος 2377 N-NSF τω 3588 T-DSM πετρω 4074 N-DSM μη 3361 PRT-N και 2532 CONJ συ 4771 P-2NS εκ 1537 PREP των 3588 T-GPM μαθητων 3101 N-GPM ει 1488 5748 V-PXI-2S του 3588 T-GSM ανθρωπου 444 N-GSM τουτου 5127 D-GSM λεγει 3004 5719 V-PAI-3S εκεινος 1565 D-NSM ουκ 3756 PRT-N ειμι 1510 5748 V-PXI-1S
Vincent's NT Word Studies
17. The damsel (h paidiskh). See on Acts xii. 13.Art thou (mh su). The question is put in a negative form, as if expecting a negative answer: thou art not, art thou?
Also. Showing that she recognized John as a disciple.
