Force of a Word

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Nov 11, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 44.

Force of a Word.—How much meaning often rests on one little word. Take for instance the word “also” in the question asked Peter by the damsel who kept the door of the high priest’s palace, “Art thou also one of this Man’s disciples?” John 18:17. Peter had just been brought in by John. Verse 16. John before this had gone in with Jesus. Verse 15. His going in with Jesus had revealed to the girl that John was Christ’s disciple. She did not need to ask John the question; his acts revealed where he stood. All this is shown by that little word “also.” “Art thou also [as well as this man with thee] this Man’s disciple?” Had Peter been with Jesus, he would not have denied his Lord. When he had to be asked the question to ascertain his discipleship on such an occasion, he was in danger of falling. This is just as true in the case of every one. When our discipleship of Christ can only be ascertained by direct inquiry, it is unworthy of the name; it ought in honesty to be denied.