PETER DISOWNS JESUS

Passage: Mark 14:66-72

Key verse: 72

NIV

Peter Disowns Jesus(A)

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard,(B) one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself,(C) she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,”(D) she said.

68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,”(E) he said, and went out into the entryway.[a]

69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.(F)

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”(G)

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”(H)

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[b] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[c] you will disown me three times.”(I) And he broke down and wept.

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Mark 14:68 Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed
  2. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.
  3. Mark 14:72 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Peter Denies Jesus

66 (A)And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, 67 and seeing Peter (B)warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” 68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you mean.” And he went out into the gateway[a] and (C)the rooster crowed.[b] 69 And the servant girl saw him and began again to say to the bystanders, “This man is one of them.” 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” 71 But he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” 72 And immediately the rooster crowed (D)a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, (E)“Before the rooster crows twice, you will (F)deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.[c]

Read full chapter
Footnotes
  1. Mark 14:68 Or forecourt
  2. Mark 14:68 Some manuscripts omit and the rooster crowed
  3. Mark 14:72 Or And when he had thought about it, he wept
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Peter loses his identity (66-71)

Jesus confessed his faith boldly before those who had power to kill him; Peter, however, denied Jesus-- and he denied himself. He wanted to be faithful, so he had followed while others ran away. But he followed at a distance. And he followed with no decision in his heart. He mingled with the soldiers and warmed his cold hands at their fire. When he was recognized and challenged, his instincts for survival took over. He gave in to fear and disowned Jesus three times.

2. Peter remembers Jesus' words (72)

When the rooster crowed, Peter remembered Jesus' words (14:30). Jesus had planted his word of truth in Peter's heart. When he remembered, his fear and doubt and confusion left him, and tears of repentance began to flow.

Prayer: Lord, you know me better than I know myself. Plant your word of truth in my heart, and help me to remember it when I need to repent.

One Word: Follow Jesus with a committed heart