Mark 14 68

Mark 14:68 kjv

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

Mark 14:68 nkjv

But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.

Mark 14:68 niv

But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.

Mark 14:68 esv

But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you mean." And he went out into the gateway and the rooster crowed.

Mark 14:68 nlt

But Peter denied it. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 68 Meaning

Mark 14:68 describes the initial fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy concerning Peter's denial. After being recognized by a servant girl as an associate of Jesus of Nazareth, Peter emphatically denies any knowledge or understanding of the accusation, publicly distancing himself from Christ amidst the escalating danger of Jesus' trial. This denial, expressed forcefully, marked the beginning of Peter's threefold betrayal of his Lord.

Mark 14 68 Context

This verse is set in the tense environment of the high priest's courtyard during Jesus' overnight trial. Following Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane, the disciples scattered, but Peter, with another disciple, followed "at a distance" (Mk 14:54). While Jesus faced false accusations inside the high priest's house, Peter sought warmth by a fire with the guards and servants. The cultural and historical context includes the imminent danger of being associated with an accused blasphemer and insurrectionist. Galilean accents would distinguish one from Jerusalem residents, making Peter identifiable. Peter's denial in Mark 14:68 is the first of three such denials prophesied by Jesus and marks a dramatic moment of human fear overriding loyalty, fulfilling divine foreknowledge amidst the escalating crisis of Jesus' passion.

Mark 14 68 Word analysis

• But (Ὁ δὲ - Ho de): A conjunction indicating a contrast. Here, it highlights the stark difference between Peter's earlier vow of loyalty and his immediate action.
• he denied (ἠρνήσατο - ērnēsato): A strong aorist verb, meaning "he renounced, rejected, or disowned." It denotes a complete and definitive severance of connection. Peter is acting on his own will.
• it (implied from context, the accusation): Refers to the servant girl's assertion that he was "with Jesus of Nazareth."
• saying (λέγων - legōn): A present participle, indicating Peter's verbal response following his act of denial.
• 'I neither know (Οὐκ οἶδα - Ouk oida):
  • Οὐκ (Ouk): The absolute negative, rendering "not."
  • οἶδα (oida): "I know," often implying experiential or factual knowledge. Peter is denying factual awareness of Jesus or the situation.
• nor (οὐδὲ - oude): "And not," a strong double negative connecting the two parts of the denial.
• understand (ἐπίσταμαι - epistamai): "To understand," "to be acquainted with," implying a deeper level of comprehension or involvement. Peter is disclaiming both basic knowledge and any comprehension of why he is being associated with Jesus.
• what you are saying (σὺ τί λέγεις - sy ti legeis): Literally, "you what say you?" A rhetorical question conveying confusion or feigned ignorance, designed to further distance himself from the accusation and appear innocent.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "But he denied it": This phrase directly introduces Peter's contradictory action. It immediately establishes his failure in the face of external pressure, directly countering his boast in Mk 14:31. The focus is on Peter's will to reject.
• "I neither know nor understand what you are saying": This comprehensive rejection employs a double negative (neither/nor) and two distinct Greek verbs for "to know" (οἶδα for factual knowing, ἐπίσταμαι for understanding/comprehension). This highlights Peter's intense effort to fully dissociate himself – claiming not just lack of knowledge about Jesus, but also profound bewilderment about the girl's entire statement. It is a powerful disavowal meant to erase any link.

Mark 14 68 Bonus section

• Mark uniquely states the rooster would crow "twice" (Mk 14:30), with the first crow possibly occurring shortly after this initial denial and the second crow after the third denial, marking the full completion of the prophecy.
• Peter's feigned confusion ("what you are saying?") could have been a deliberate tactic to sound bewildered and detached, a common defensive mechanism when confronted.
• The fact that it was a mere "servant girl" who initially challenged Peter, not a high-ranking official or soldier, underscores the pervasive fear among Jesus' followers and the potent power of a simple accusation in a hostile environment.

Mark 14 68 Commentary

Mark 14:68 powerfully depicts Peter's first denial of Jesus. His emphatic declaration, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying," reflects a complete rejection of association under intense fear. Despite Peter's earlier fervent vows of loyalty, even to death, the sudden proximity of danger and the public accusation, even from a humble servant girl, exposed his human vulnerability. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even devout followers can succumb to fear and momentarily waver in their faith. It highlights the chasm between courageous intentions and the reality of pressure. However, Peter's failure is not the end of his story. His later restoration and bold preaching underscore God's grace to forgive and restore those who genuinely repent, even after a profound lapse. It cautions against overconfidence and encourages dependence on Christ's strength.