Mark 14 70

Mark 14:70 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.

Mark 14:70 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."

Mark 14:70 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."

Mark 14:70 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."

Mark 14:70 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."

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 70 Meaning

Mark 14:70 describes Peter's second denial of Jesus, a pivotal moment of human weakness under intense pressure. After a brief interval following his initial denial, he is again confronted by the surrounding crowd. They firmly assert his association with Jesus, pointing to his distinct Galilean accent as undeniable evidence that his speech betrays his origin and allegiance to Jesus. This verse highlights the escalating pressure on Peter and his continued, resolute denial of his Master, driven by fear.

Mark 14 70 Context

Mark chapter 14 describes the intense events leading up to Jesus' crucifixion. It begins with the plot against Jesus, His anointing at Bethany, the Last Supper, the prophecy of Peter's denial, and the prayer in Gethsemane. Following Jesus' arrest, He is brought before the High Priest, Caiaphas, for an illegal trial by the Sanhedrin. While this ecclesiastical trial is ongoing inside the high priest's house, Peter follows afar off and gains access to the courtyard. Amidst the chaos and tension of the night, Peter attempts to blend in with the servants and officers, warming himself by the fire. The verse, Mark 14:70, occurs as Peter faces direct accusations of being associated with Jesus, with his Galilean dialect serving as incriminating evidence. The historical context involves Jewish religious customs, Roman occupation, and distinct regional differences within first-century Judaism, particularly between Judeans and Galileans, who were often viewed as less cultured and having a distinctive accent.

Mark 14 70 Word analysis

• But (Greek: ἀλλὰ, alla): This conjunction indicates a strong contrast or continuation despite previous actions. It highlights Peter's stubbornness or renewed effort to deny, even after having just denied it.
• he denied it (Greek: ἠρνήσατο, ērneisato): "Denied" signifies a categorical refusal or rejection of a statement or accusation. The imperfect tense here indicates a continuous or repeated action, emphasizing his ongoing resistance.
• again (Greek: πάλιν, palin): This adverb stresses the repetition of Peter's denial. It's not a new accusation but a reaffirmation of the previous denial, illustrating the escalating pattern.
• And after a little while (Greek: καὶ μετὰ μικρὸν, kai meta mikron): This phrase indicates a short, unspecified period. The pressure on Peter does not relent but persists, allowing the next wave of accusation to rise quickly.
• those standing by (Greek: οἱ παρεστῶτες, hoi parestōtes): This refers to others in the courtyard—bystanders, servants, or temple guards. This group accusation adds to the public pressure Peter faced, contrasting with the initial, more private questioning by a single servant girl.
• said again (Greek: ἔλεγον, elegon): The plural verb confirms the collective nature of the accusation from "those standing by." It also reinforces the idea of continued confrontation.
• to Peter (Greek: τῷ Πέτρῳ, tō Petrō): The direct address shows Peter is singled out and explicitly accused, leaving no room for ambiguity.
• Certainly (Greek: ἀληθῶς, alēthōs): Meaning "truly," "indeed," or "assuredly." This adverb signifies the accusers' conviction and certainty. They are no longer merely questioning but making a firm assertion.
• you are (Greek: εἶ, ei): Simple, direct affirmation of identity.
• one of them (Greek: ἐξ αὐτῶν, ex autōn): Refers to the followers or disciples of Jesus. The implication is an association that puts him in danger due to Jesus' arrest.
• for (Greek: γὰρ, gar): This conjunction introduces the reason or explanation for their conviction.
• you are a Galilean (Greek: Γαλιλαῖος εἶ, Galilaios ei): The direct statement of his geographical origin. Galileans were distinguished from Judeans by their unique dialect, and sometimes viewed with contempt (John 1:46).
• and your speech (Greek: καὶ ἡ λαλιά σου, kai hē lalia sou): "Speech" (or "dialect" / "pronunciation") is the identifying factor. The Judeans found the Galilean pronunciation distinct and identifiable, sometimes making light of it, as evidenced by Mishnah passages.
• betrays you (Greek: ὁμοιάζει σοι, homoiadzei soi): Literally, "makes you similar," or "resembles you," meaning your speech aligns you with them. It means his accent undeniably reveals his Galilean origin and thus, his likely association with Jesus and His disciples, who were predominantly from Galilee.

Mark 14 70 Bonus section

The recognition of distinct regional dialects, like that between Judean and Galilean Aramaic, was a known cultural phenomenon in first-century Judaism, not merely a literary device in the Gospels. Historical and linguistic sources affirm these differences. For Peter, this accent was an inescapable marker of his origin. Furthermore, Peter's denial serves as a stark contrast to Jesus' steadfast confession before His accusers throughout His trials (Mark 14:61-62). Jesus, though under immense duress and facing certain death, unequivocally identified Himself as the Son of God, while Peter, facing lesser physical threats, renounced his association with Him. This contrast magnifies Jesus' divine fortitude and highlights the depth of Peter's spiritual failure, yet sets the stage for the powerful transformation seen in Peter's life after Pentecost, when he boldly confessed Christ (Acts 2).

Mark 14 70 Commentary

Mark 14:70 offers a stark depiction of Peter's moral failure amidst the pressure of Jesus' trial. Having boldly claimed he would never deny Jesus (Mark 14:29-31), Peter quickly succumbed to fear. This verse describes his second denial, occurring after a short pause, indicating that the initial denial brought only momentary relief, not escape. The accusation escalated from a single servant girl to a collective confrontation by "those standing by," amplifying the public shame and danger Peter perceived.

The crucial evidence presented against Peter was his distinctive Galilean accent. Judeans, especially in Jerusalem, readily recognized the regional speech patterns of Galileans. This linguistic distinction, combined with the general association of Jesus and His disciples with Galilee, served as irrefutable proof to his accusers. Peter's attempt to disguise himself failed not because of his actions but because his very tongue revealed his identity and, by extension, his allegiance to Jesus.

This moment highlights profound truths: human frailty under pressure, the deceitfulness of the heart when fear takes root, and the sobering reality that self-confidence can precede a significant fall (1 Cor 10:12). Yet, Peter's ultimate repentance and restoration, prophesied by Jesus Himself (Luke 22:32), testify to God's profound grace and Jesus' foreknowledge and intercession even in our failures. It underscores that while our words can condemn us, God's grace offers a path to forgiveness and renewed confession.

Examples:

• A reminder that seemingly minor traits (like an accent) can reveal deeply held associations.
• A warning against public denial of one's faith, especially when convenient.
• An encouragement that even profound failure can lead to genuine repentance and restoration by God's grace.