TEXT [Commentary]

5. Peter’s denials predicted (14:27-31; cf. Matt 26:31-35; Luke 22:31-38; John 13:31-38)

27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,

‘God will strike[*] the Shepherd,

and the sheep will be scattered.’

28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

29 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.”

30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

NOTES

14:27 All of you will desert me. Jesus predicted that in his death he would go to the cross alone. The disciples stumbled by taking offense over him. The verb is skandalizomai [TG4624A, ZG4997]. It was used of those who took offense or fell away (4:17; 9:42, 43, 45, 47; 14:29).

For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ Jesus cited Zech 13:7, which looks to Israel’s apostasy; this is a strong condemnation. The NLT renders the Gr., “I will strike,” with “God will strike,” making the speaker clear (see NLT mg).

14:29 Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will. In this remark, Peter claimed that he would not run away out of fear. This showed that he did not know himself or the situation as well as Jesus did. This is the third time Peter has misspoken in Mark (8:31-33; 9:5-7).

14:30 this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me. Jesus knew Peter well in general, and he was specifically aware of what he would do and when. Before the early morning cock crowing was complete, Peter would deny Jesus three times. The NLT explains the term correctly by noting that Peter would deny knowing Jesus (Evans 2001:402). It was the opposite of confessing someone (Luke 12:8-9). The entire scene shows that Jesus was quite aware of what was happening.

14:31 Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you! Once again, Peter claimed that he would stand with Jesus even to the death. This time he said it more emphatically, using a double negative (ou mē [TG3364, ZG4024 + 3590]) to make the point. As he commonly did, Mark not only noted the remark, but also the emphatic manner in which it was given. The others joined in support of his claim.

COMMENTARY [Text]

This section begins with Jesus telling his disciples that he will die alone—bereft of their support. Citing Zechariah 13:7, Jesus predicted, “God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.” In the crucifixion, God chose to offer his son, the shepherd, for sacrifice. The Zechariah text focuses on the cleansing of God’s people that results from the striking of the shepherd. At the moment that the Shepherd suffers, the sheep scatter, sensing that they are not protected. In fact, Jesus’ death is the very protection that they need, as suggested by the mention of the resurrection in the next verse.

Jesus then promised them, “After I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there” (14:28). Jesus reassured the disciples that their scattering would be temporary. After his resurrection, he would meet them in Galilee, the very place where his ministry began. It is sometimes said that Mark has no resurrection appearances. However, in its prediction about Jesus, this text indicates that Mark was aware of such events even though his short ending does not narrate a specific appearance (see also 16:7).

When Jesus predicted that the disciples would desert him, Peter affirmed that he would never desert Jesus. Peter did not understand himself or what was coming. The other disciples also affirmed their loyalty, but Jesus knew what would happen, for he understood how weak people can be. Peter’s bold assertions and subsequent failure make him look very weak and foolish. That this failure is recorded in the Gospels shows that this is authentic history; the early church would not make up such a story about its leaders.