Mark 14:70

And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art [one] of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth [thereto].

And {G1161} he denied it {G720} again {G3825}. And {G2532} a little {G3397} after {G3326}, they that stood by {G3936} said {G3004} again {G3825} to Peter {G4074}, Surely {G230} thou art {G1488} one of {G1537} them {G846}: for {G2532}{G1063} thou art {G1488} a Galilaean {G1057}, and {G2532} thy {G4675} speech {G2981} agreeth {G3662} thereto.

Again he denied it. A little later, the bystanders themselves said to Kefa, "You must be one of them, because you're from the Galil."

But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.”

But he again denied it. And after a little while again they that stood by said to Peter, Of a truth thou art one of them; for thou art a Galilæan.

Mark 14:70 records the second of Peter's three denials of Jesus, emphasizing the persistent accusations against him and the tell-tale sign of his Galilean dialect.

Context

This verse is part of the somber narrative of Jesus' arrest and trial, specifically detailing Peter's dramatic denials. After boldly asserting his loyalty to Jesus, Peter follows Him to the high priest's courtyard (Mark 14:54). While Jesus endures unjust accusations inside, Peter is confronted by bystanders outside. This particular denial, the second, comes after an initial denial to a servant girl (Mark 14:69). The crowd's accusation is more direct, rooted in Peter's discernible Galilean accent, which set Galileans apart from Judeans.

Key Themes

  • Human Frailty and Fear: Peter's denials vividly illustrate the depth of human weakness and fear under pressure, even in someone who had walked closely with Jesus. His actions stand in stark contrast to his earlier confident declaration of loyalty (Mark 14:29).
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This event precisely fulfills Jesus' sobering prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed twice (Mark 14:30). It underscores Jesus' divine foreknowledge.
  • Consequences of Association: The accusation, "Surely thou art one of them," highlights the perceived danger of being associated with Jesus during His trial. Peter's denial is an attempt to distance himself from the perceived threat.

Linguistic Insights

The crucial detail in this verse is the identification of Peter as a "Galilaean" based on his "speech." While the KJV uses "agreeth thereto," it implies his dialect or accent was unmistakable. Galileans were known to have a distinct Aramaic dialect, often characterized by a guttural pronunciation that differed from the more refined speech of Judeans in Jerusalem. This linguistic difference served as a readily identifiable marker, making it difficult for Peter to conceal his origin and, by extension, his likely association with Jesus and His disciples, many of whom were from Galilee.

Practical Application

Peter's denial serves as a powerful reminder of the human capacity for failure, even among those closest to God. It teaches us several lessons:

  • Humility: We should never overestimate our own strength or underestimate the power of temptation and fear.
  • Grace and Forgiveness: Despite this profound failure, Peter was later restored by Jesus (John 21:15-17), demonstrating God's boundless grace and willingness to forgive and restore those who repent.
  • Boldness in Witness: This account implicitly challenges believers to consider whether their actions and words truly align with their confession of Christ, even when it is costly.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 26:73

    And after a while came unto [him] they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art [one] of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

  • Matthew 26:74

    Then began he to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

  • Acts 2:7

    And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

  • Mark 14:68

    But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

  • Luke 22:59

    And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this [fellow] also was with him: for he is a Galilaean.

  • Luke 22:60

    And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

  • Judges 12:6

    Then said they unto him, Say now Shibboleth: and he said Sibboleth: for he could not frame to pronounce [it] right. Then they took him, and slew him at the passages of Jordan: and there fell at that time of the Ephraimites forty and two thousand.
← Back