What does Mark 14:29 mean?
It is after the Passover meal, and Jesus has told the disciples that soon He will be arrested and they will scatter. The Twelve have followed Him for three years. Countless times, they've watched Him debate religious leaders and win. They know Jerusalem is a dangerous place for Jesus and tried to convince Him to stay away (John 11:7–8). Thomas spoke for them all when he said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16). They think they're ready for anything."Fall away" is from the Greek root word skandalizo, from which we get the English word "scandal." It means to trip up, entice to sin, or cause someone to abandon the one they follow. It's also used of the seed that falls on the rocky soil and "falls away" when faced with persecution (Mark 4:17). Jesus uses the term when He condemns anyone who causes a little one to "sin" (Mark 9:42). Most of the time, however, skandalizo is translated as "offend." The disciples will be so offended—so deeply repulsed—by what happens to Jesus that they abandon Him.
Peter is told he will deny ever knowing Jesus. Peter rejects Jesus' warning. He declares he is willing to face prison and death (Luke 22:33). In point of fact, he will face both; Herod will imprison Peter and behead James (Acts 12:1–6). And church tradition says that Peter will be crucified upside-down, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy in John 21:18–19. This night, however, Peter will strongly deny that he knows Jesus three times (Mark 14:66–72) within Jesus' hearing (Luke 22:61).
Fortunately, this is a temporary condition. Peter will flee, weeping bitterly (Luke 22:62). The disciples will scatter. At the crucifixion, only John will join the women at the cross (John 19:25–26). After the resurrection, however, they will gather together (John 20:19–29), and after Jesus ascends into heaven, they will join to start the church (Acts 1:13–14).
The whole point of Jesus' sacrifice is to save us from our sins. It should be no surprise that this includes the sins of His followers around the time of that sacrifice.
