“Woman, I do not Know Him:” A Reflection

on the Encounter between the Servant Woman

and Peter in Lukan Gospel

Teresita csst

The girl’s question solicits Peter’s first denial which Luke reports in two steps. First, Peter

denies the girls’ observation. Second comes the denial proper: “I do not know him,

woman”, which totally denies any knowledge of Jesus. Luke’s wordings of the denial

differs from Matt 26:70, Mark 14:68. Peter denies the identity as a follower of Jesus to the
question of an insignificant woman who insists on truth in the face of his repeated lies.

The relationship between Jesus and several groups of individuals considered to be of low
status in society is an important motif in Luke’s gospel. For Luke, both actions and speech of
the women are important aspects of their characterization. They become the conscience of the
society. It is in this frame work, that I place the Lukan maid servant. Insignificant in her
appearance (Exclusive to Luke as he presents her as “certain maid servant”), she exhibits an
extraordinary courage to initiate the trial of Peter at the courtyard of the high priest. By
identifying Peter as one who was “with” Jesus, she was in a way, reminding Peter of his true
identity. She becomes an ambassador of truth in contrast to Peter who was overcome by his
cowardice. This marginalized woman at the courtyard, has something to say to us the
cotemporary disciples of Jesus who are exposed to situations, where we are challenged to hide
truth to safeguard our name and position. The maid servant in the passion narrative remind us
to listen to the voice of truth however insignificant it may be, in order to be authentic disciples
of Jesus who lived, proclaimed and gave up his life to safeguard the truth.