Mark 14:27-31 (NKJV) Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
(Matt. 26:31–35; Luke 22:31–34; John 13:36–38)
27 Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered.’
28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
29 Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.”
30 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
31 But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise.
V27 “Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.”
This is a prophecy also mentioned in Zechariah 13:7. Stumble because something like this would hurt their faith in Jesus. The disciples believed Jesus to be the conquering Messiah, being ignorant that He came to be the Passover Lamb, the suffering Messiah. The Shepherd is the Lord Jesus. Compare Psalm 23:1, Isaiah 40:11, and John 10:11. The sheep are the disciples. If the Shepherd is hurt, the Shepherd providing for and protecting the sheep is gone. A very hard trial of faith. “Made to stumble” is one word in Greek and refers to the external threat that caused them to stumble. They stumbled in the faith but did not deny the faith.
V28 “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Jesus again predicts His resurrection and tells them that after He rises, He wants them to go to Galilee to meet with Him. These are specific.
V29 “Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.”
Peter doesn’t understand, but affirms his faith and loyalty. But Jesus tells Peter of a great trial that he must endure—denying Jesus. He will be a coward at one point, yet 50+ days from Peter’s denial, he is preaching Jesus and the Gospel boldly (Acts 2:14-41). See Philippians 4:13.
V30 “Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
Jesus prophesies that today, even this day, Peter will deny the Lord Jesus three times. To Peter and the other disciples, this was shocking.
V31 “But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise.”
Peter insisted that he was loyal to Jesus. Sometimes the weaknesses we have are hidden until we experience a trial. God allows trials to refine us and prepare us for serving Him in perhaps difficult circumstances.
This is possible, but let us remember the great power of God’s assisting grace (Hebrews 13:5): Matthew 13:20-21 (NKJV) But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
See also John 16:33, Acts 14:22, Romans 5:3, and 1 Corinthians 1:4-5.
Bible Illustrator Old Testament on Lamentations 5:12-16 notes: “That God hath promised to deliver His chosen ones ( Psalm 126:5, 6; Job 16:33). Brag not of what spirit you will be when you come to suffer; you have but a little strength in yourselves, your hearts may come to deceive you, to fail you when troubles come with a strong current upon you; thus did Peter, yet denied his Master (Mark 14:29, 31, 68, etc).”
We learn:
- God knows and hates spiritual defilement.
- God knows the future.
- God will not leave us or forsake us.
Questions:
- Are we unaware of our weaknesses?
- What has God allowed in your life that in the end was an encouragement instead?