Mark 14
Summary. In this chapter, we are given a few places where the Lord sojourned prior to the crucifixion, but they are not provided in a timely order. 1) At Bethany in the house of Simon, the leper. Here in this house, a few events happened: a) The Lord Jesus sat at the table where a woman anointed Him with a very costly ointment of pure nard; b) some showed indignation that this woman wasted the costly ointment on the Lord; c) the Lord tells them that the woman did a beautiful thing for Him, she anointed beforehand His body for burial. 2) A large upper room furnished and ready in a house in the city. In this room, the Lord Jesus eats the Passover with His twelve disciples, His last Passover before He was crucified. He tells them about the things that will happen to Him: a) He tells them that one of them will betray Him; b) He institutes the Lord’s supper as a symbol for the new covenant in His blood. 3) They went out to the Mount of Olives. Here, the Lord tells His disciples that they will all fall away as it is written in the Scripture (See Zechariah 13:7): a) Peter, however, testifies that he will not betray the Lord; b) the Lord tells Peter that He will deny the Lord three times before the rooster crows twice. 4) A place called Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. Here, the Lord Jesus goes to pray earnestly to the Father about His departure from the disciples because the work on earth has not been done yet: a) The Lord Jesus takes three of His disciples with Him to witness Him praying to the Father. 5) The place on the Mount of Olives where the betrayer came with a crowd, having clubs and swords to capture the Lord Jesus. 6) They led the Lord Jesus to the palace of the high priest. Other things happening in this place are: a) Peter follows the Lord into the courtyard of the palace of the high priest; b) the chief priests and the council seek testimony against the Lord Jesus to put Him to death, but they find none, only false witnesses; c) the Lord Jesus testifies to them that He is the Christ the Son of the Blessed; d) They condemn the Lord Jesus of blasphemy and condemn Him to death and begin to mock and abuse Him. 7) Below in the courtyard. Here, Peter denies the Lord three times before the rooster crows twice: a) Afterwards, Peter remembered what the Lord said to him, and he broke down and wept.
1
Now after two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread; and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how having taken Him by trickery, they might kill Him ;
2
for they said, Not during the feast, lest there will be a tumult of the people.
Comments Mark 14:1-2
For Mark 14:1-2, see Comments Matthew 26:2-5, and Comments Luke 22:1-2.
Additional Comments. The Lord Jesus has been called the Passover Lamb, and that is why He will be sacrificed as the Passover Lamb to save the whole world, not just the chosen people. The Lord Jesus knew what would happen to Him, but He still walked ahead with it. The love for humans has power for the Lord; He walked through death on the cross as the Passover Lamb; that is the love of the Lord for humans. When you look at the cross, think of the One that has been crucified for the humans. The cross should not be an idol for us but a symbol of remembrance of what the Lord Jesus did for us.
Additional Comments. The Lord Jesus has been called the Passover Lamb, and that is why He will be sacrificed as the Passover Lamb to save the whole world, not just the chosen people. The Lord Jesus knew what would happen to Him, but He still walked ahead with it. The love for humans has power for the Lord; He walked through death on the cross as the Passover Lamb; that is the love of the Lord for humans. When you look at the cross, think of the One that has been crucified for the humans. The cross should not be an idol for us but a symbol of remembrance of what the Lord Jesus did for us.
3
And He , being in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, He having reclined, there came a woman having an alabaster jar of perfume, of pure nard, very costly; having broken the alabaster jar, she poured it on His head.
4
But there were some indignant within themselves: To what this waste of the perfume has been made?
5
For this perfume could have been sold for above three hundred denarii and given to the poor. And they grumbled at her.
6
But Jesus said, Leave her alone; why do you cause trouble to her? She did a good work on Me .
7
For you have the poor always with you, and whenever you desire you can always do good to them; but Me you do not have always.
8
She did what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.
9
And truly I say to you, Wherever the gospel shall be proclaimed in the whole world, also what has done by her will be spoken of for a memorial of her.
Comments Mark 14:3-9
For Mark 14:3-9, see Comments Matthew 26:6-13.
10
And Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went away to the chief priests, that he might deliver Him to them.
11
And having heard, they rejoiced and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently deliver Him .
Comments Mark 14:10-11
For Mark 14:10-11, see Comments Matthew 26:14-16 and Luke 22:3-6.
Q: Mark 14:11 says, “and promised to give him money.” In contrast, Matthew 26:15 says, “and they appointed to him thirty pieces of silver.” Yet Mark 14:1 tells the time being two days before the Passover. Hence, the question is, how did they have time to do all the evil activity? A: Per day, humans can do many evil things; even evil thoughts work all the time and never stop. When the heart does not glorify the Lord, the mind is under the power of the dark, and it thinks and leads the body to do the work for it; it doesn’t take a long time for all these evil things to take place. Also, notice that there is a time gap between these verses. When the betrayer went to offer himself, he received the promise of money, as shown in Mark and Luke. Still, after a while, when the plot in his head had been accomplished, he went back and received the money as told in Matthew: His people have set the price of the beloved Son to be “thirty pieces of silver.”
Q: Mark 14:11 says, “and promised to give him money.” In contrast, Matthew 26:15 says, “and they appointed to him thirty pieces of silver.” Yet Mark 14:1 tells the time being two days before the Passover. Hence, the question is, how did they have time to do all the evil activity? A: Per day, humans can do many evil things; even evil thoughts work all the time and never stop. When the heart does not glorify the Lord, the mind is under the power of the dark, and it thinks and leads the body to do the work for it; it doesn’t take a long time for all these evil things to take place. Also, notice that there is a time gap between these verses. When the betrayer went to offer himself, he received the promise of money, as shown in Mark and Luke. Still, after a while, when the plot in his head had been accomplished, he went back and received the money as told in Matthew: His people have set the price of the beloved Son to be “thirty pieces of silver.”
12
And on the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, His disciples say to Him , Where do Thou desire that we go and make ready that Thou may eat the Passover?
13
And He sends two of His disciples, and says to them, Go into the city, and you will meet a man bearing a pitcher of water. Follow him;
14
and wherever he shall enter in, say to the master of the house that the Teacher says, Where is My guest-room, where I shall eat the Passover with My disciples?
15
And he will show you a large upper room furnished and ready: and there make ready for Us .
16
And the disciples went out, and came into the city, and found as He had said to them, and they made ready the Passover.
17
And evening having come, He comes with the Twelve.
18
And as they sat and were eating, Jesus said, Truly I say to you, One of you will betray Me , who is eating with Me .
19
They began to be grieved, and to say to Him one by one, Is it I?
20
And He said to them, It is one of the Twelve, who is dipping with Me in the bowl.
21
For indeed the Son of Man goes, even as it is written about Him ; but woe to the man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! Good for him, if that man had not been born.
22
And as they are eating, having taken bread, having blessed, He broke, and gave to them, and said, Take; this is My body.
23
And having taken the cup, having given thanks, He gave to them, and they drank of it all.
24
And He said to them, This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.
25
Truly I say to you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God .
Comments Mark 14:22-25
For Mark 14:22-25, see Comments Matthew 26:26-29, and Comments Luke 22:14-20.
Additional Comments. The bread the Lord and the disciples used at the Passover meal was unleavened bread. For us as Christians, “unleavened bread” also signifies that the Lord Jesus is sinless and pure. He was born in a body of flesh, but He is completely clean. He never commits any sin. He lives with a body that is of the dust of the earth, but that body is clean. No human being can be as clean as the Lord Jesus.
When baptizing in water, we baptize in His blood of the covenant, and we should use the practice of baptizing by immersion under water. When you don’t immerse yourself under the water when you baptize, you do not follow the Lord’s example. The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus is the example to follow for all humans on earth. We should be baptized by immersion under water, not sprinkled over with water.
“I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” In this place, pay attention to the word anew. New here is not of this earth but of heaven; the heavenly wine is when the Lord Jesus will take His children with Him in heaven when we all shall drink new heavenly wine with Him. The verse also makes it clear that the wine of this earth is not the same as the heavenly wine. The Lord Himself will not take the wine of the earth into His body when the Lord’s body will return to heaven. In heaven, He will drink it anew, the wine of heaven; this wine is not related to alcoholic wine; heavenly wine is different. We will not understand the meaning of heavenly wine until that day comes.
Additional Comments. The bread the Lord and the disciples used at the Passover meal was unleavened bread. For us as Christians, “unleavened bread” also signifies that the Lord Jesus is sinless and pure. He was born in a body of flesh, but He is completely clean. He never commits any sin. He lives with a body that is of the dust of the earth, but that body is clean. No human being can be as clean as the Lord Jesus.
When baptizing in water, we baptize in His blood of the covenant, and we should use the practice of baptizing by immersion under water. When you don’t immerse yourself under the water when you baptize, you do not follow the Lord’s example. The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus is the example to follow for all humans on earth. We should be baptized by immersion under water, not sprinkled over with water.
“I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.” In this place, pay attention to the word anew. New here is not of this earth but of heaven; the heavenly wine is when the Lord Jesus will take His children with Him in heaven when we all shall drink new heavenly wine with Him. The verse also makes it clear that the wine of this earth is not the same as the heavenly wine. The Lord Himself will not take the wine of the earth into His body when the Lord’s body will return to heaven. In heaven, He will drink it anew, the wine of heaven; this wine is not related to alcoholic wine; heavenly wine is different. We will not understand the meaning of heavenly wine until that day comes.
26
And having sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
27
And Jesus says to them, All you will be offended, for it is written, I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.
28
But after having arisen, I will go before you into Galilee.
29
And Peter said to Him , If even all will be offended, yet I will not.
30
And Jesus says to him, Truly I say to you, that you today, this night, before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times.
31
And he spoke vehemently, If I must die with Thee , I will not deny Thee . And likewise, also all they spoke.
Comments Mark 14:26-31
For Mark 14:26-31, see Comments Matthew 26:30-35.
Mark 14:27. “I will strike the shepherd”; This place refers to the heart of humans that did not acknowledge the Lord; even they have seen the miracles the Lord had performed many times, humans still are ignorant and don’t acknowledge the Lord; this is the “I” referring here (for short this “I” is the sin of humans that had covered the eyes).
Additional Comments. As the Bible tells us, the disciples themselves, the ones that always saw the miracles, all stumbled and fled and ran away from the Lord Jesus because of fear, but not lack of faith in this place. Fear is the main issue here for the disciples to fight against, but the Lord has prepared them. He already told them the plan about where they could find Him in three days, and this helped them and sustained their faith because they knew the Lord would never lie to them. If the Lord says He will be back, the disciples all believed that He will come back as He said; all people should believe the same as well. If the Bible tells us something, the Lord can’t lie. The Bible is the true Word of God, so it can’t have any lie in it; people should think twice before they say something against the Bible. The Bible is the base of life for humans; the Lord’s mercy was clearly shown when He gave the Bible to humans, and the way to be saved is found here in the Bible.
Mark 14:27. “I will strike the shepherd”; This place refers to the heart of humans that did not acknowledge the Lord; even they have seen the miracles the Lord had performed many times, humans still are ignorant and don’t acknowledge the Lord; this is the “I” referring here (for short this “I” is the sin of humans that had covered the eyes).
Additional Comments. As the Bible tells us, the disciples themselves, the ones that always saw the miracles, all stumbled and fled and ran away from the Lord Jesus because of fear, but not lack of faith in this place. Fear is the main issue here for the disciples to fight against, but the Lord has prepared them. He already told them the plan about where they could find Him in three days, and this helped them and sustained their faith because they knew the Lord would never lie to them. If the Lord says He will be back, the disciples all believed that He will come back as He said; all people should believe the same as well. If the Bible tells us something, the Lord can’t lie. The Bible is the true Word of God, so it can’t have any lie in it; people should think twice before they say something against the Bible. The Bible is the base of life for humans; the Lord’s mercy was clearly shown when He gave the Bible to humans, and the way to be saved is found here in the Bible.
32
And they come to a place of which the name is Gethsemane; and He says to His disciples, Sit here, while I pray.
33
And He takes with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly amazed, and deeply troubled.
34
And He says to them, My Soul is deeply distressed, even to death; remain here, and watch.
35
And having gone forward a little, He fell upon the ground, and prayed that, if it is possible, the hour might pass away from Him .
36
And He said, Abba , Father , all things are possible to Thee ; remove this cup from Me ; but not what I will, but what Thou .
37
And He comes, and finds them sleeping, and says to Peter, Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour?
38
Watch and pray, so that you enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
39
And again having gone away, He prayed, saying the same words.
40
And again having come, He found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him .
41
And He comes the third time, and says to them, Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42
Arise, let us go; behold, the one betraying Me has drawn near!
Comments Mark 14:32-42
For Mark 14:32-42, see Comments Matthew 26:36-40 ,and Comments Luke 22:40-46.
Additional Comments Mark 14:32. Gethsemane is a place on the Mount of Olives; it was a big area separated by a group of trees very close to each other, looking like a natural wall. Because it has a natural fence of trees, for the Lord, it felt like a personal area where He goes for prayer (was like the private room for the Lord), a natural private place for the Lord to pray, not made by humans hands.
Additional Comments Mark 14:33. Here, it doesn’t look like anything is happening, but what these three witnessed, people would want to see as well: to see the Lord Jesus Himself pray earnestly to the Father. Because these three would face their own challenges later on in life, they would see the picture in their eyes when the Lord was on the ground praying. If their Lord bowed to the ground to the Father, in them, they would know who is above who; as the Bible says, Three in One, but the Father is above all. They called the Lord Jesus in many ways, Master, Teacher, and Lord, but at this point, in their hearts, it will confirm to them that the Lord also is the beloved Son of the Father. If their Lord falls to the ground to worship the Father, how much more should they be below? This act of the Lord Jesus would help them when they face challenges; if even the beloved Son faces challenges, they would be no different. Everyone has their own difficult time in life, and these three would face their own difficult times, but the picture of their Lord would help lift their faith up.
Additional Comments Mark 14:32. Gethsemane is a place on the Mount of Olives; it was a big area separated by a group of trees very close to each other, looking like a natural wall. Because it has a natural fence of trees, for the Lord, it felt like a personal area where He goes for prayer (was like the private room for the Lord), a natural private place for the Lord to pray, not made by humans hands.
Additional Comments Mark 14:33. Here, it doesn’t look like anything is happening, but what these three witnessed, people would want to see as well: to see the Lord Jesus Himself pray earnestly to the Father. Because these three would face their own challenges later on in life, they would see the picture in their eyes when the Lord was on the ground praying. If their Lord bowed to the ground to the Father, in them, they would know who is above who; as the Bible says, Three in One, but the Father is above all. They called the Lord Jesus in many ways, Master, Teacher, and Lord, but at this point, in their hearts, it will confirm to them that the Lord also is the beloved Son of the Father. If their Lord falls to the ground to worship the Father, how much more should they be below? This act of the Lord Jesus would help them when they face challenges; if even the beloved Son faces challenges, they would be no different. Everyone has their own difficult time in life, and these three would face their own difficult times, but the picture of their Lord would help lift their faith up.
43
And straightaway, while He is yet speaking, Judas comes, one of the Twelve, and with him a multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44
Now the one betraying Him had given them a sign, saying, Whomever I shall kiss, He is; seize Him , and lead Him away safely.
45
And having arrived, straightaway coming up to Him , he says, Rabbi ! And he kissed Him .
46
And they laid the hands on Him , and seized Him .
47
But a certain one of those standing by, having drawn the sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48
And answering, Jesus said to them, Are you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize Me ?
49
I was with you every day in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me ; but that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.
50
And having left Him , all fled.
Comments Mark 14:43-50
For Mark 14:43-50 see Comments Matthew 26:47-56, Comments Luke 22:47-53, and Comments John 18:3-11. Remember, there is only one Holy Spirit. The passages of Scripture may differ in some of the wording, but the meaning is the same.
51
And a certain young man was following Him , having a linen cloth cast upon his naked body; and they lay hold on him;
52
but he left the linen cloth, and fled naked.
Comments Mark 14:51-52
This verse tells us clearly that this young man is like an inspector, not one of the disciples. He has seen all the commotion and followed up as a spectator, as nowadays it is the same, many spectators, but in the end, it depends on what you choose to follow. If you follow, but you are not ready as this young man, pay attention to the way of his dress, you will be the same, naked and empty. As many want to follow the Lord but have not prepared themselves in the Word and have not studied the Word, they will be dressed not differently than this man; let the Word of God be the cloth of your soul; this is a spiritual comparison for humans to see.
53
And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and come together all the chief priests, and the elders, and the scribes.
54
And Peter followed Him from afar off, as far as within, into the court of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers, and warming himself at the fire.
55
And the chief priests and the whole council sought witness against Jesus to put Him to death; and they did not find.
56
For many bore false witness against Him , and their testimonies were not consistent.
57
And certain having risen up, were baring false witness against Him , saying,
58
We heard Him saying, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.
59
And neither thus was their testimony alike.
60
And the high priest having stood up in the midst, he asked Jesus , saying, Answer Thou nothing? What is it which these testify against Thee ?
61
But He was silent, and did not answer anything. Again, the high priest asked Him , and says to Him , Are Thou the Christ , the Son of the Blessed ?
62
And Jesus said, I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power , and coming with the clouds of heaven.
63
And the high priest having torn his clothes, says, What more need do we have of witnesses?
64
You heard the blasphemy; what do you think? And all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
65
And some began to spit on Him , and to cover His face, and to hit Him , and to say to Him , Prophesy! And the officers received Him with slaps with hands.
Comments Mark 14:53-65
For Mark 14:53-65, see Comments Matthew 26:57-68.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 14:53-54, Matthew 26:57-58. See Comments Matthew 26:58.
Mark 14:55-59, Matthew 26:59-61. See Comments Matthew 26:59-61.
Additional Comments. What the Lord said to them is that if they destroy this temple, meaning His body, He can rebuild it in three days, but the Lord never said that He Himself will destroy anything. He is not the God of destroying; He is the God that gave His life to save those who want to kill Him. He has no destroying feelings in Him; He was not even angry at them. He looked at them, and He already saw what they would do to Him, but the Lord Himself still wants to save them and bring them to the kingdom of God to be saved; that is the God who came down, no destroying in Him at all, only love, grace and mercy.
Mark 14:60-61, Matthew 26:62-63. See Comments Matthew 26:63.
Here, they have already blamed themselves. The Lord did not condemn them; they do it themselves; many humans do this as well. They know who the Lord Jesus is by their questions but do not believe.
Mark 14:62, Matthew 26:64. See Comments Matthew 26:64.
The answer the Lord gives, “I am,” shows His will to take the suffering; because when He admits in front, saying “I am the Son of God,” He fully knows that they will condemn Him to be killed, but also, He cannot lie as well. This tells us clearly how the Lord will take His time, with His own will as well, to receive the suffering and death from the creatures He has created. The Lord will not deny anything. He has clearly given them all who He is, but they did not receive it by themselves; the guilt lies upon themselves. The verse tells clearly who the Lord is. He will be crucified on earth, but when He will return back, what humans’ eyes should see?
Mark 14:63-64a, Matthew 26:65-66. See Comments Matthew 26:65-66.
The high priest tore his own clothes just to make people think harder about who is guilty in this place. When the high priest tore his cloth, he had already condemned himself; he used that action to cover people’s eyes. Instead of people seeing the Lord, the picture they had was of the high priest tearing his clothes. This action was another way to make people shut up; even if some people disagreed, they would not have the courage to confront the action of the high priest; this covered all disagreement; it was a smart fox action.
Mark 14:64b-65, Matthew 26:66b-68. See Comments Matthew 26:67-68.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 14:53-54, Matthew 26:57-58. See Comments Matthew 26:58.
Mark 14:55-59, Matthew 26:59-61. See Comments Matthew 26:59-61.
Additional Comments. What the Lord said to them is that if they destroy this temple, meaning His body, He can rebuild it in three days, but the Lord never said that He Himself will destroy anything. He is not the God of destroying; He is the God that gave His life to save those who want to kill Him. He has no destroying feelings in Him; He was not even angry at them. He looked at them, and He already saw what they would do to Him, but the Lord Himself still wants to save them and bring them to the kingdom of God to be saved; that is the God who came down, no destroying in Him at all, only love, grace and mercy.
Mark 14:60-61, Matthew 26:62-63. See Comments Matthew 26:63.
Here, they have already blamed themselves. The Lord did not condemn them; they do it themselves; many humans do this as well. They know who the Lord Jesus is by their questions but do not believe.
Mark 14:62, Matthew 26:64. See Comments Matthew 26:64.
The answer the Lord gives, “I am,” shows His will to take the suffering; because when He admits in front, saying “I am the Son of God,” He fully knows that they will condemn Him to be killed, but also, He cannot lie as well. This tells us clearly how the Lord will take His time, with His own will as well, to receive the suffering and death from the creatures He has created. The Lord will not deny anything. He has clearly given them all who He is, but they did not receive it by themselves; the guilt lies upon themselves. The verse tells clearly who the Lord is. He will be crucified on earth, but when He will return back, what humans’ eyes should see?
Mark 14:63-64a, Matthew 26:65-66. See Comments Matthew 26:65-66.
The high priest tore his own clothes just to make people think harder about who is guilty in this place. When the high priest tore his cloth, he had already condemned himself; he used that action to cover people’s eyes. Instead of people seeing the Lord, the picture they had was of the high priest tearing his clothes. This action was another way to make people shut up; even if some people disagreed, they would not have the courage to confront the action of the high priest; this covered all disagreement; it was a smart fox action.
Mark 14:64b-65, Matthew 26:66b-68. See Comments Matthew 26:67-68.
66
And Peter being below in the courtyard, one of the maids of the high priest comes,
67
and seeing Peter warming himself, having looked at him, she says, You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.
68
But he denied, saying, I neither know, nor understand what you say; and he went out into the porch; and the cock crowed.
69
And the maid, having seen him, began again to say to those standing by, This is one of them.
70
But again he denied. And after a little while again those standing by said to Peter, Truly you are one of them; also, for you are a Galilean, and your speech agrees.
71
But he began to curse, and to swear, I do not know this Man of whom you speak.
72
And straightaway, for the second time, the cock crowded. And Peter remembered the word, that Jesus said to him, Before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times. And having thought, he wept.
Comments Mark 14:66-72
For Mark 14:66-72, see Comments Matthew 26:69-75, and Comments Luke 22:55-62.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 14:66-68a, Matthew 26:69-70. See Comments Matthew 26:70.
Additional Comments. We can notice that the way to get out of a situation is through lying; we all do lie. The disciples were humans like us, no difference. When put out in a corner, they tried to find the way out, even by lying. The mouth speaks out between the head thinking and the heart thinking; the mouth is the door of lies. The heart cannot lie to the Lord, but the mouth is used to lie to the Lord.
Mark 14:68b-70a, Matthew 26:71-72. See Comments Matthew 26:71-72.
“And the maid, having seen him.” This maid here is a different maid than the one who saw and recognized Peter. The first one was one of the maids of the high priest (See Mark 14:66). The second one was just a maid. At that time, the life of the priest was different from that of normal people; being a personal maid made her closer to the high priest than the rest of the maids; the high priest would listen to her voice.
Mark 14:70b-71, Matthew 26:73-74. See Comments Matthew 26:74.
Remember, as well, that Peter is human, even if he is one of the Lord’s disciples. He is still just a human, and as it is for us, fear has power; fear has covered Peter’s eyes.
Mark 14:72, Matthew 26:74b-75. See Comments Matthew 26:74-75.
“And straightaway, for the second time, the cock crowded.” Q: Why the difference in comparison with the Gospel of Matthew where it says, “And immediately the cock crowed”? A: If you think carefully, in these verses, both Gospels are the same; Matthew does not mention the first and second, and it does not count to tell, but it does not make the meaning different. This is just the way humans will interpret what is written in the Bible; at one point, it is clearer, but at another point, it is not that clear. The human mind will interpret the way they understand, but the Bible makes it clear that Peter will deny the Lord, and the rooster will crow; just two things to think about.
In Mark, we have “before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times,” and in Matthew, we have “before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times”; however, here, it doesn’t matter how many times the rooster crowed, the point is that Peter denied the Lord before the rooster crowed. In Matthew, it doesn’t mean it is the first crow of the day; it is just a sign for Peter to remember that the rooster will crow after he denies the Lord.
Comparison Analysis
Mark 14:66-68a, Matthew 26:69-70. See Comments Matthew 26:70.
Additional Comments. We can notice that the way to get out of a situation is through lying; we all do lie. The disciples were humans like us, no difference. When put out in a corner, they tried to find the way out, even by lying. The mouth speaks out between the head thinking and the heart thinking; the mouth is the door of lies. The heart cannot lie to the Lord, but the mouth is used to lie to the Lord.
Mark 14:68b-70a, Matthew 26:71-72. See Comments Matthew 26:71-72.
“And the maid, having seen him.” This maid here is a different maid than the one who saw and recognized Peter. The first one was one of the maids of the high priest (See Mark 14:66). The second one was just a maid. At that time, the life of the priest was different from that of normal people; being a personal maid made her closer to the high priest than the rest of the maids; the high priest would listen to her voice.
Mark 14:70b-71, Matthew 26:73-74. See Comments Matthew 26:74.
Remember, as well, that Peter is human, even if he is one of the Lord’s disciples. He is still just a human, and as it is for us, fear has power; fear has covered Peter’s eyes.
Mark 14:72, Matthew 26:74b-75. See Comments Matthew 26:74-75.
“And straightaway, for the second time, the cock crowded.” Q: Why the difference in comparison with the Gospel of Matthew where it says, “And immediately the cock crowed”? A: If you think carefully, in these verses, both Gospels are the same; Matthew does not mention the first and second, and it does not count to tell, but it does not make the meaning different. This is just the way humans will interpret what is written in the Bible; at one point, it is clearer, but at another point, it is not that clear. The human mind will interpret the way they understand, but the Bible makes it clear that Peter will deny the Lord, and the rooster will crow; just two things to think about.
In Mark, we have “before the cock crows twice, you will deny Me three times,” and in Matthew, we have “before the cock crows, you will deny Me three times”; however, here, it doesn’t matter how many times the rooster crowed, the point is that Peter denied the Lord before the rooster crowed. In Matthew, it doesn’t mean it is the first crow of the day; it is just a sign for Peter to remember that the rooster will crow after he denies the Lord.
Life and Faith Applications. 1) We all should do good and beautiful things in the name of the Lord Jesus, regardless of the cost. 2) Participate in the communion of the Lord Jesus; it was given to us as a remembrance of the suffering of the Lord Jesus on the cross (See 1 Corinthians 11:23-26). 3) In the garden of Gethsemane, the Lord fell down to the ground to pray earnestly to the Father; how much more should we do that, when we face challenges in life? Even the Beloved Son faced challenges; we are no different; everyone has their own difficult time in life. 4) There are many ways these days that we can betray the Lord’s love, but we should specifically watch that we do not use the name of the Lord in vain. 5) Don’t let your mouth speak ahead of your heart; the heart cannot lie to the Lord, but the mouth is used to lie to the Lord. The One who lives in the heart knows very well when your mouth speaks lies.