What Does John 18:15 Mean in the King James?

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

John 18:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

THE KEY

The verse places two kinds of nearness side by side: Peter follows Jesus, while the unnamed disciple is already known inside the high priest’s house.

THE MEANING

You see Peter moving behind Jesus while the other disciple enters as someone already recognized by the high priest. Following describes the path Peter takes; being known describes a relationship already in place, and the verse leaves those forms of nearness distinct.

THE ROOT

γνωστός

gnōstos

GROWS FROM

γινωσκ-

ginōsk-

to know, recognize, or perceive

“known” in this verse is gnōstos. The English word can sound like a mere credential, but ⁨γνωστός⁩ belongs to the word-family of ⁨γινώσκω⁩: knowing and recognizing through acquaintance. The verse ties this disciple’s entry to an existing relationship with the high priest, while Peter’s nearness is described as following Jesus.

ALSO GROWS

ginōskō: to know, come to know, or perceive

γινώσκω

This verb is the word-family source for ⁨γνωστός⁩, placing being known within an active relationship of knowing.

gnōsis: knowing or knowledge

γνῶσις

This noun keeps knowing within the same Greek family, where it can name more than a label or piece of information.

epiginōskō: to recognize or know fully

ἐπιγινώσκω

This related verb shows the family’s emphasis on recognition, illuminating the familiarity implied by the disciple being known to the high priest.

ἠκολούθει

ēkolouthei

GROWS FROM

ἀκολουθ-

akolouth-

to follow or accompany

“followed” in this verse is ēkolouthei. The verb is an ongoing form of ⁨ἀκολουθέω⁩, giving Peter’s action as continued movement behind Jesus. Its word-family includes a follower or companion, yet the verse describes Peter’s path without claiming what he understands or intends.

ALSO GROWS

akolouthos: follower or companion

ἀκόλουθος

This related noun keeps companionship within the family of following.

synakoloutheō: to accompany or follow along with

συνακολουθέω

The compound makes the accompanying sense explicit and highlights that Peter’s verb describes going after Jesus.

THE PATTERN

In scripture, knowing names relationship and recognition rather than detached information.

For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

Genesis 18:19 · KJVGod’s knowing of Abraham is expressed through an established relationship with consequences for his household.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

John 10:14 · KJVKnowing and being known name reciprocal recognition between the shepherd and the sheep.

But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

1 Corinthians 8:3 · KJVThe person who loves God is described as known by God, making recognition relational rather than merely informational.

THE THREAD

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

John 10:14 · KJV

John 18:15 calls the disciple ⁨γνωστός⁩ (gnōstos), known to the high priest; John 10:14 uses the same ⁨γινώσκω⁩ (ginōskō) word-family for the shepherd’s knowing and being known. The repeated root reveals the relational depth of “known,” while the relationships in the two verses remain distinct.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us