Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
15. I laughed not ] Sarah apparently emerges, in confusion and fear, to deny the guest’s statement. This occasions the fourth repetition of the word “laugh” in these four verses, by the short reply, “Nay, but thou didst laugh.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Sarah denied, from the sense of guilt, and the discovery of her shame, and the expectation of a sharp rebuke, both from this person, and from her husband.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not,…. Some render the words, “Sarah lied” z; and indeed it was no other than a lie, to say she did not laugh when she did; which she might be tempted to say in her confusion, partly because the back of the speaker was to her, and he could not see her, and partly because it was inward, and very little at least discoverable in her countenance:
for she was afraid; of the reproof of her husband; and of the charge of ill manners to a stranger; and especially as she had reason to believe that it was the Lord himself that had spoken these words, and therefore could gladly have excused herself, and wiped off the reproach:
and he said, nay, but thou didst laugh; it is not true what thou sayest, for thou didst certainly laugh; this he knew, being the omniscient God, notwithstanding, as he appeared as a man, his back was to her, and though her laughter was more internal than external.
z “mentita est”, Drusius.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
15. Then Sarah denied. Another sin of Sarah’s was, that she endeavored to cover and hide her laughter by a falsehood. Yet this excuse did not proceed from obstinate wickedness, according to the manner in which hypocrites are wont to snatch at subterfuges, so that they remain like themselves, even to the end. Sarah’s feelings were of a different kind; for while she repents of her own folly, she is yet so terrified, as to deny that she had done, what she now perceives to be displeasing to God. Whence we infer, how great is the corruption of our nature, which causes even the fear of God, — the highest of all virtues, — to degenerate into a fault. Moreover, we must observe whence that fear, of which Moses makes mention, suddenly entered the mind of Sarah; namely, from the consideration that God had detected her secret sin. We see, therefore, how the majesty of God, when it is seriously felt by us, shakes us out of our insensibility. We are more especially constrained to feel thus, when God ascends his tribunal, and brings our sins to light.
Nay; but thou didst laugh. The angel does not contend in a multiplicity of words, but directly refutes her false denial of the fact. We may hence learn, that we gain no advantage by tergiversation, when the Lord reproves us, because he will immediately dispatch our case with a single word. Therefore, we must beware lest we imitate the petulance of those who mock God with false pretences, and at length rush into gross contempt of Him. However he may seem to leave us unnoticed for a time, yet he will fulminate against us with that terrible voice, ‘It is not as you pretend.’ In short, it is not enough that the judgment of God should be reverenced, unless we also confess our sins ingenuously and without shifts or evasions. For a double condemnation awaits those who, from a desire to escape the judgment of God, retake themselves to the refuge of dissimulation. We must, therefore bring a sincere confession, that, as persons openly condemned, we may obtain pardon. But seeing that God was contented with giving a friendly reprehension, and that he did not more severely punish the double offense of Sarah; we hence perceive with what tender indulgence he sometimes regards his own people. Zacharias was more severely treated, who was struck dumb for nine months. (Luk 1:9.) But it is not for us to prescribe a perpetual law to God; who, as he generally binds his own people to repentance by punishments, often sees it good to humble them sufficiently, without inflicting any chastisement. In Sarah, truly, he gives a singular instance of his compassion; because he freely forgives her all, and still chooses that she should remain the mother of the Church. In the meantime, we must observe, how much better it is that we should be brought before him as guilty, and that like convicted persons we should be silent, than that we should delight ourselves in sin, as a great part of the world is accustomed to do.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(15) Sarah denied.With strange inconsistency Sarah knows that the speaker is Divine, and that He perceived the thoughts that passed within herself in the retirement of the tent, and yet denies; but it was the inconsistency of fright. Struck with terror at the thought that she had ridiculed the promise of Jehovah, she offers no excuse, but takes refuge, as frightened people are apt to do, in falsehood. Gently reproved, the result was the building-up of her faith, just as Marys doubt was removed and her faith perfected by the angels words (Luk. 1:34-37).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
15. She was afraid The direct response to her thoughts, the searching words, the implied rebuke, the evidence from the words that the speaker was Jehovah, all this filled her with a sudden amazement and terror, and under the fear of the moment she denied, saying, I laughed not The denial was immediately silenced by the answer, Nay, but thou didst laugh; and we may well believe that doubt was changed to faith, and Sarah also believed the promise, and, as Kurtz observes, was “thus rendered capable to become the mother of the promised seed . ”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Gen 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didst laugh.
Ver. 15. I laughed not: for she was afraid.] And well she might; for as everybody hath its shadow, so hath every sin its fear. Her sin she saw was detected, and her conscience she felt was troubled; hence her fear.
Nay, but thou didst laugh.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
denied: Gen 4:9, Gen 12:13, Job 2:10, Pro 28:13, Joh 18:17, Joh 18:25-27, Eph 4:23, Col 3:9, 1Jo 1:8
Nay: Psa 44:21, Pro 12:19, Mar 2:8, Joh 2:25, Rom 3:19
Reciprocal: 1Pe 3:6 – and
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Sarah evidently denied that she had laughed from fear of the Lord’s powers or from fear of offending Him. Again, God built confidence in His word. If the Lord could read Sarah’s thoughts, could He not also open her womb?
Believers should never doubt God’s promises because nothing is impossible for Him.