Mark 14:71 Meaning and Explanation
“But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Peter calls down curses and swears an oath that he does not know Jesus.
What Does Mark 14:71 Mean?
The third denial is the worst. Peter begins to curse and to swear — invoking judgment on himself if he lies — and disowns his Lord completely: I know not this man of whom ye speak. He will not even say the name of Jesus.
This man, from the lips that once confessed, Thou art the Christ (Mark 8:29). The collapse is total, and Scripture does not soften it: the rock crumbles in a courtyard before a few bystanders. Yet this same Peter will one day stand before this same council and say, We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). The story is preserved unvarnished because its sequel is restoration — no failure recorded here lies beyond the reach of the risen Christ.
Mark 14:71 in the Original Language
anathematizo (ἀναθεματίζω), 'curse' -- to invoke a curse upon oneself, calling down judgment if one's words are false.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mark 14:71
What does Mark 14:71 mean?
Peter calls down curses and swears an oath that he does not know Jesus.