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Mark 14:68

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

But {G1161} he denied {G720}, saying {G3004}, I know {G1492} not {G3756}, neither {G3761} understand I {G1987} what {G5101} thou {G4771} sayest {G3004}. And {G2532} he went {G1831} out {G1854} into {G1519} the porch {G4259}; and {G2532} the cock {G220} crew {G5455}.

But he denied it, saying, "I haven't the faintest idea what you're talking about!" He went outside into the entryway, and a rooster crowed.

But he denied it. “I do not know or even understand what you are talking about,” he said. Then he went out to the gateway, and the rooster crowed.

But he denied, saying, I neither know, nor understand what thou sayest: and he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

Commentary

Mark 14:68 occurs at a pivotal and tense moment in the Gospel narrative. Following Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and his subsequent trial before the Sanhedrin, Peter, one of Jesus' closest disciples, has been following from a distance. He finds himself in the high priest's courtyard, trying to blend in with the servants and officers who are warming themselves by a fire. This verse records Peter's first direct denial of Jesus, a fulfillment of the prophecy Jesus had made earlier to him: that Peter would deny Him three times before the cock crowed twice (Mark 14:30).

Key Themes

  • Human Frailty and Failure: Despite Peter's bold declaration of loyalty just hours before (Mark 14:31), fear and self-preservation lead him to deny his Lord. This highlights the universal human tendency to stumble under pressure, even for devout followers.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The immediate crowing of the cock after Peter's first denial underscores the precision of Jesus' foreknowledge and the divine plan unfolding, even through human weakness. It emphasizes that God's word is true and will be fulfilled.
  • The Power of Fear and Peer Pressure: Peter's denial is a stark example of how fear of consequences or social pressure can lead individuals to compromise their convictions and disassociate from what they believe.

Linguistic Insights

Peter's response, "I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest," is a strong, emphatic denial. In the original Greek, his words (οὐκ οἶδα οὐδὲ ἐπίσταμαι τί λέγεις - ouk oida oude epistamai ti legeis) convey a complete ignorance and lack of comprehension, effectively distancing himself entirely from the accusation and the person of Jesus. The phrase "the cock crew" (ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν - alektōr ephōnēsen) serves as a direct, undeniable sign, marking the precise moment of prophecy's initial fulfillment and signaling a turning point for Peter.

Practical Application

Mark 14:68 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Vigilance and Self-Awareness: Peter's fall serves as a reminder that even the most committed individuals are susceptible to spiritual weakness. It underscores the need for constant prayer and self-examination, as Jesus warned in Gethsemane (Mark 14:38).
  • The Reality of Temptation: We face temptations to deny Christ in various ways—through silence when we should speak, through compromise of values, or through fear of social repercussions. This verse challenges us to consider where our true allegiance lies.
  • God's Grace and Restoration: While this verse captures a moment of failure, it is part of a larger narrative that includes Peter's repentance and eventual restoration by Jesus (John 21:15-19). It offers hope that even after significant stumbles, God's grace is sufficient for forgiveness and renewed purpose.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Mark 14:29 (4 votes)

    But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet [will] not I.

  • Mark 14:31 (4 votes)

    But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

  • Mark 14:72 (3 votes)

    And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

  • Matthew 26:71 (3 votes)

    And when he was gone out into the porch, another [maid] saw him, and said unto them that were there, This [fellow] was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

  • Matthew 26:72 (3 votes)

    And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

  • John 13:36 (3 votes)

    ¶ Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.

  • John 13:38 (3 votes)

    Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.