Mark 14:66-72 (NKJV) Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps
(Matt. 26:69–75; Luke 22:54–62; John 18:15–18, 25–27)
66 Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”
68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
69 And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”
71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”
72 A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.
V66 “Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.”
This place is the high priest Caiaphas’ courtyard. Caiaphas was a very rich man with power and authority. Thus, he had a very specious house with many amenities as a special garden and entertaining areas, etc.
Nothing special but…
V67 “And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”
…she saw Peter, recognized him, and made a true statement. Peter had been with Jesus. The test—would Peter boldly proclaim Him or deny?
V68 “But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.”
Peter told a lie to save his skin. It is amazing what fear can do to us. Let us not be too hard on Peter. We probably would have done the same. Peter knew what she said and understood it.
After repenting (Luke 22:62), Peter was restored to service ( John 21:15-19 and Acts 2:14-41).
A principle: If and when we sin, repent. Often, there is restoration to service, but not always. Sin has consequences.
V69 “And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.”
Well, she says it again. She told the truth.
V70 “But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”
Now others agree. Peter was always bold when Jesus was with them, but now he feared.
V71 “Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”
Wuest Word Studies: “Peter, again charged with being a follower of Jesus, becomes desperate. Mark says that he began to curse and to swear. The word “curse” is anathematizō, “to declare anathema or cursed.” The Jews had a practice of laying themselves under a curse (Acts 23:12). Paul in Galatians 1:8-9, calls the divine curse (same word) down upon those who preached a different gospel than the true one. Peter, thus declares himself subject to the divine curse if he is not telling the truth when he disclaims all acquaintance with Jesus. The word “swear” is the same word found in Hebrews 3:11 where God is said to swear, that is, to put Himself under oath. The English words “curse” and “swear” today usually are understood to mean that the person is using profanity. But the Greek text here shows that Peter was not guilty of that.”
V72 “A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”And when he thought about it, he wept.”
Peter now prompted by the Holy Spirit of his sin and realizes what he had done. God opened and clarified his mind. Now, he remembers what he told Jesus and what Jesus told him.
He also remembered what Jesus said that Jesus would pray and encouraged him after he returned to faith, he was to strengthen his brethren.
Other Christians would face a situation like this sometime in some place. Now, Peter is available and experienced. He is to strengthen the brethren. We strengthen fellow believers by listening to them, encouraging them, and praying for them. This is wisdom in the sense that now Peter has experience of failure, repentance, and restoration in order to help others. Compare 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.
After we are convicted by the Holy Spirit and confess their sin to Him, then forgiveness, we also must strengthen our brethren.
We learn:
- Jesus knows the future.
- Fear suspends our common sense decisions.
- Jesus forgives.
- Jesus wants us to help other believers.
Questions:
- Have you ever failed in the Christian faith?
- Was there someone to encourage you?