PETER DISOWNED JESUS

Mark 14:66-72

Key Verse 70a

“Again he denied it.”

1. Read verses 66-68. What happened to Peter while he was below in the

courtyard? (66, 67) What did his answer to one of the servant girls reveal about

him? (68)

2. Read verses 69-70a. What did the servant girl ask Peter again? (69) What was

his answer? (70a)

3. Read verses 70b-72. Why did the people approach Peter with a question ‘after a

little while’? (70b) How did Peter disown Jesus? (71) What happened as soon as

Peter denied Jesus the third time? (72a) What then did he do? (72b)

PETER DISOWNED JESUS

Mark 14:66-72

Key Verse 70a

“Again he denied it.”

Introduction

Last week we learned that Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin in our places. If we stand before Jesus, we are guilty because we have committed many sins. We are guilty because we have accused others falsely and hated others out of envy and pride. It is we who should be judged. But Jesus was tried, condemned, and judged in our places. Today we are going to study about Peter who disowned Jesus three times. But in Jesus there is no failure. May God help us to learn from Peter’s failure and grow up as a man of humility.

1. Read verses 66-68. What happened to Peter while he was below in the

courtyard? (66, 67) What did his answer to one of the servant girls reveal about

him? (68)

1-1, Read verses 66-68.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.[g]

1-2, What happened to Peter while he was below in the courtyard? (66, 67)

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.

• In chapter 14:54, “Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.”

• When Jesus was arrested, everyone fled and even one young man fled naked. But Peter did not run away.

• Mark tells us that Peter followed Jesus ‘at a distance’. When Jesus was on trial, he was not with his master but sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

• When we follow Jesus ‘at a distance’ like Peter, we may end up sitting among the unbelievers, and temptations may happen there.

• Peter might have wanted to prove his human loyalty to the end. But he was falling away.

• John 18 tells us Peter and John made their way into the courtyard – outside Caiaphas’ house.

• John was known by the high priest and was able to gain entrance before he disappeared.

“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.

• A servant girl discovered a strange guy sitting by the fire, and said, “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus.”

• The first accusation came from a servant girl. She apparently followed Peter over to the fire, looked at him closely, and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.”

• More literally, with the Nazarene, Jesus. It’s derogatory – northern Jews – Galilean Jews were looked down on by their southern Judean Jews.

1-3, What did his answer to one of the servant girls reveal about him? (68)

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

• But Peter denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” The other gospels indicate those around the fire heard the accusation.

• He loudly said that it was enough for everyone to hear him saying. I neither know nor understand – the idea is, I don’t even know what you’re talking about.

• But he was embarrassed and he left the warmth of the fire and went to stand at the front porch, by the gate – to make a fast getaway if necessary.

• In Peter’s mind it may have been just in case he needed to run for it if someone else recognized him again.

• Some disciples have this attitude in today’s world. They stand uncommitted near the entryway of Christian life, just in case if things get too tough, they can exit.

• It was what had happened to John Mark exactly later. Very interestingly the author Peter and his penman Mark have something in common. So are we!

2. Read verses 69-70a. What did the servant girl ask Peter again? (69) What was

his answer? (70a)

2-1, Read verses 69-70a.

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.

2-2, What did the servant girl ask Peter again? (69)

69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.”

• The servant girl accused him again, saying not to Peter this time, but to those standing around, “This is one of them!”

• That’s a little more embarrassing and threatening, for the girl first accused him of being with Jesus and now, she’s telling others.

2-3, What was his answer? (70a)

70 Again he denied it.

• Peter denied it again. Mark doesn’t tell us exactly what Peter said, but Matthew does, “I don’t know the man!” Notice each time his denial becomes emphatic.

• The first time, he said, I don’t know what you’re talking about – this time, he said, I don’t know the man. Not, I don’t know Jesus. I don’t know the man.

• But Peter’s true identity was exposed. Peter again denied what she said. Previous night, Jesus predicted that all the disciples would fall away and flee that night.

• But Peter literally swore before Jesus not to deny Him. When they got to Gethsemane that evening, Peter couldn’t even stay awake to pray.

• And then when Jesus was arrested, Peter drew a sword and cut off Malchus’ ear. He actually tried to prevent Jesus from going to the cross.

• Jesus took this inconsistent, big–mouthed, self–centered man, and made him first among the disciples.

• He said, I’ll never fall away – even though everyone else does, I never will. I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back.

3. Read verses 70b-72. Why did the people approach Peter with a question ‘after a

little while’? (70b) How did Peter disown Jesus? (71) What happened as soon as

Peter denied Jesus the third time? (72a) What then did he do? (72b)

3-1, Read verses 70b-72.

When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 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.”

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.[h] Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

3-2, Why did the people approach Peter with a question ‘after a little while’? (70b)

After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”

• A little while later. Luke tells us an hour later. Those standing near came and said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you’re a Galilean.”

• How did they know that? Because, the way you talk gives you away. You sound like you’re from up north, you sound like a Galilean. You are His follower.

• The accusation is stronger – this time it wasn’t just a servant girl, it was several bystanders. And this time, we know you’re one of His disciples.

• John adds the fact that one of the bystanders was a relative of Malchus. The guy who lost an ear to Peter in Gethsemane.

• He said to Peter, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with Him? You know, when you took off my cousin’s ear?” Now Peter was in the spotlight. No way to escape!

3-3, How did Peter disown Jesus? (71)

71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”

• When they had him cornered, Peter actually began to curse, likely calling curses down upon him if what he said wasn’t true.

• He swore by an oath, and said, I swear to God, I don’t know this man you’re talking about!

3-4, What happened as soon as Peter denied Jesus the third time? (72a)

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time.

• Immediately a rooster crowed a second time. No sooner had he denied the third time than Jesus’ prophecy came true.

• Peter, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times. And Luke adds this detail, “Immediately, while he was speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter.” - Luke 22:60–61

• Somehow, either through a window or perhaps He was in the courtyard at the time, the rooster crowed, and Jesus, who was possibly beaten and bleeding, turned and looked Peter in the eye – to him who said, “I can, I will, I won’t.”

3-5, What then did he do? (72b)

Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice[i] you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

• Peter remembered what Jesus said, and he went out and wept bitterly. For perhaps the first time in his life, Peter was a broken, mourning, defeated man.

• While he was mourning for a while, he must have realized the reason why he failed. He did not pray. He did not accept the will of God.

• Above all he did not listen to Jesus. He was stubborn in his own way. But this was an opportunity now for him to know where his heart was, and see his lack of faith.

• Through this event Peter learned to truly repented and grew up spiritually. But this does not end there, In John 21. Peter was reinstated by Jesus.

Conclusion

Peter’s heart must have broken when he remembered the beautiful words and the beautiful love of Jesus poured out for him. He wept. Peter was regenerated into a new man through his failure. He realized how weak he was. God opened his spiritual eyes to rely on Jesus, not his own human strength. It was a necessary step for Peter to become a leader. Later, Peter returned to Jesus and strengthened other disciples and died for the name of Jesus. Many times we find ourselves in Peter. We have been guilty of denying that Christ is Lord. It is a serious sin to disown Christ, but Jesus forgave Peter. No sin is too great for Jesus to forgive if we are truly repentant. Praise Jesus and His never ending love and patience for each of us until we grow in His image. Amen!

One word: No failure in Jesus!