Mark 14:71

But he began to curse and to swear, [saying], I know not this man of whom ye speak.

But {G1161} he began {G756} to curse {G332} and {G2532} to swear {G3660}, saying, I know {G3754}{G1492} not {G3756} this {G5126} man {G444} of whom {G3739} ye speak {G3004}.

At this he began to invoke a curse on himself as he swore, "I do not know this man you are telling me about!" --

But he began to curse and swear, β€œI do not know this man of whom you speak!”

But he began to curse, and to swear, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

Commentary

Context

Mark 14:71 captures the culmination of Peter's three denials of Jesus, a pivotal moment occurring while Jesus himself was undergoing an illegal trial before the Sanhedrin. Peter, having followed Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, found himself repeatedly identified as one of Jesus' disciples (Mark 14:66-70). This final denial is the most vehement, fulfilling Jesus' precise prophecy that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed twice (Mark 14:30).

Key Themes

  • Human Weakness and Fear: Peter, who had earlier boldly declared his unwavering loyalty to Jesus (Mark 14:29), succumbs to overwhelming fear and self-preservation. His actions highlight the profound fragility of human resolve when faced with intense pressure or danger.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse serves as a powerful testament to the accuracy of Jesus' foreknowledge and the divine orchestration of events. Peter's denial, though a personal failure, precisely aligned with what Jesus had predicted.
  • The Gravity of Denial: Peter's resort to "cursing and swearing" underscores the desperate attempt to distance himself from Jesus. He was not merely denying acquaintance but vehemently disavowing any connection, invoking divine judgment upon himself if he were lying.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV translation of "curse and swear" conveys the intensity of Peter's denial:

  • "Curse" (Greek: anathema or anathematizō) implies calling down a curse upon oneself if one's statement is untrue. It was a solemn and forceful way to emphasize the truth of one's words, or in this case, the truth of his denial.
  • "Swear" (Greek: omnyō) means to take an oath, usually by God or something sacred, to affirm the truth of a statement. Peter was not just speaking casually; he was making a binding declaration under oath, attempting to make his denial utterly convincing to his accusers.

Practical Application

Peter's dramatic failure offers several enduring lessons for believers:

  • Understanding Human Fallibility: This passage is a stark reminder that even devoted followers of Christ are susceptible to fear, temptation, and failure. It fosters humility and discourages self-reliance.
  • The Power of Grace and Restoration: While Peter's denial is a low point, his story does not end here. His eventual repentance and restoration by Jesus (John 21:15-17) provide immense hope. God's grace is greater than our failures, and genuine repentance leads to forgiveness and renewed purpose.
  • Vigilance and Dependence: Peter's fall highlights the importance of spiritual vigilance and constant reliance on God's strength, especially when facing pressure to compromise our faith.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, 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.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.
The Trial of Jesus Before the Sanhedrin James, Son of Zebedee: The First Apostle to be Martyred The Anointing of Jesus at Bethany The 12 Disciples: Who Were They? All the "Johns" in the New Testament

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 10:32

    In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel;

  • 2 Kings 8:12

    And Hazael said, Why weepeth my lord? And he answered, Because I know the evil that thou wilt do unto the children of Israel: their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash their children, and rip up their women with child.

  • 2 Kings 8:15

    And it came to pass on the morrow, that he took a thick cloth, and dipped [it] in water, and spread [it] on his face, so that he died: and Hazael reigned in his stead.

  • Jeremiah 17:9

    The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?

  • 1 Corinthians 10:12

    Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
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