Mark 14:70 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.”

NIV: Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, 'Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.'

NASB: But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, 'You really are one of them, for you are a Galilean as well.'

CSB: But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, "You certainly are one of them, since you're also a Galilean."

NLT: But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, 'You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.'

KJV: 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.

NKJV: But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”

Peter's world is spiraling out of control. He followed Jesus to Jerusalem knowing it might be dangerous (John 11:8, 16), but the week has been empowering. Jesus has spent days in the temple courtyard, teaching the adoring crowds and shutting down the religious and civil leaders (Mark 11:27—12:40). Although Jesus prophesies His death and the abandonment of the disciples (Mark 10:32–34; 14:27), the disciples still anticipate He will free the Jews from Roman rule and they will judge in His kingdom (Matthew 19:28).

Earlier that night, however, servants and guards from the high priest came to their campsite in the garden of Gethsemane to arrest Jesus (Mark 14:43–50). In the chaos, Peter draws his sword and cuts off the ear of one of the servants (John 18:1–11). John, who knows the high priest, is in the courtyard where the Sanhedrin is harassing and beating Jesus as they try to find something to convict Him of (John 18:15; 18:22). Peter is in a lower courtyard, trying to hide the fact that he is not an innocent bystander. Unfortunately, his Galilean accent gives him away.

This detail is not included by Mark to make any particular spiritual point. That said, our "accent" should also identify us as Christ-followers. The way we speak and act, and how we love other believers, should lead the world to know that we accept Jesus' sacrifice for the payment of our sins and that we strive to live in the grace and power that marks Jesus' character. When we take our eyes off Jesus and act impulsively, as Peter did, we not only endanger ourselves, we make Jesus look bad. Paul warns the Romans about judging the sins of others while we commit the same sins (Romans 2:17–23) ending with, "For, as it is written, 'The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you'" (Romans 2:24).

Mark 14:66–72 occurs while Jesus is in an upper courtyard in the home of high priest. The Sanhedrin, the Jewish ruling council, is trying to find something to charge Jesus with, finally settling on blasphemy (Mark 14:53–64). Having found their charge, they are now free to beat Jesus (Mark 14:65). John is apparently watching (John 18:15). Peter is in a lower courtyard, warming himself by a fire, surrounded by servants and guards who grow increasingly suspicious of his presence and his role in the proceedings. Peter's denial is also found in Matthew 26:69–75, Luke 22:54–62, and John 18:15–18, 25–27.

Jesus is anointed in a symbolic anticipation of His death. Judas decides to secretly cooperate with local religious leaders to arrest Jesus in secret. During the Passover meal, Jesus predicts His betrayal by Judas, and Peter's denial. He also institutes the Lord's Supper, also known as communion. After praying on the Mount of Olives, Jesus is captured when Judas identifies Him to a hostile mob sent by Jewish authorities. He endures a corrupt, prejudiced trial, ending in a conviction for blasphemy. Peter, fearing for his life, lies about knowing Jesus, before remembering Jesus' prediction and breaking down in sobs.

Jesus has finished His public teaching ministry and now prepares for the crucifixion. His sacrificial loyalty will provide the means by which the disciples' abandonment will be forgiven. Next, the Romans, as representatives of Gentiles throughout history, will join the Jews and kill Jesus. Jesus will be buried, but He will rise again with the promise that His sacrifice will redeem the world. Matthew 26 and Luke 22 follow Mark 14 more closely while John 13:1—18:27 records more of Jesus' teaching in the upper room.

The Gospel of Mark emphasizes both Jesus' servanthood and His role as the promised Messiah: the Son of God. This is done through a concise, action-packed style. Mark provides relatively few details, instead focusing on actions and simple statements. This relates to the Gospel's authorship, which is believed to be based on the memories of the apostle Peter. These include many of Jesus' miracles, in contrast to other Gospels which include many more of Jesus' teachings and parables. Mark also makes frequent mention of Jesus' ministry being misunderstood by others.