King James Version

What Does Mark 14:67 Mean?

Mark 14:67 in the King James Version says “And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

Mark 14:67 · KJV


Context

65

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

66

And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

67

And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth.

68

But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

69

And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And when she saw Peter warming himself (καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον θερμαινόμενον, kai idousa ton Petron thermainomenon)—The participle θερμαινόμενον (thermainomenon) recurs from v. 54, emphasizing Peter's continued comfort-seeking. The firelight illuminated his face, allowing recognition. She looked upon him (ἐμβλέψασα αὐτῷ, emblepsasa autō)—the verb ἐμβλέπω (emblepō) means to look directly at, gaze intently. Her scrutiny paralyzed Peter.

And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth (Καὶ σὺ μετὰ τοῦ Ναζαρηνοῦ ἦσθα τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, Kai sy meta tou Nazarēnou ēstha tou Iēsou)—The emphatic σύ (sy, 'you also') identifies Peter as an accomplice. Ναζαρηνός (Nazarēnos) may carry contemptuous overtones ('the Nazarene'—cf. John 1:46, 'Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?'). The phrase 'wast with' (μετά, meta) implies association, discipleship. Her recognition came perhaps from Peter's presence in Gethsemane or earlier temple teaching sessions.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Galilean dialect was distinctive—Matthew 26:73 notes Peter's speech betrayed his origin. Northern Galileans pronounced gutturals differently and had distinct vocabulary. In the charged atmosphere of Jesus's arrest, association with a condemned blasphemer endangered Peter legally. Romans considered followers of executed criminals as potential insurrectionists. The servant girl's identification thus carried real threat despite her lowly status.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does the warmth of the fire become the setting for Peter's cold betrayal?
  2. How does being recognized as one who 'wast with Jesus' test the reality of discipleship?
  3. What does Peter's collapse before a servant girl teach about the gap between professed and actual courage?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 15 words
Καὶ1 of 15

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

ἰδοῦσα2 of 15

when she saw

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

τὸν3 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρον4 of 15

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

θερμαινόμενον5 of 15

warming himself

G2328

to heat (oneself)

ἐμβλέψασα6 of 15

she looked

G1689

to look on, i.e., (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly

αὐτῷ7 of 15

upon him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

λέγει8 of 15

and said

G3004

properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an

Καὶ9 of 15

And

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

σὺ10 of 15

thou

G4771

thou

μετὰ11 of 15

with

G3326

properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)

τοῦ12 of 15
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Ναζαρηνοῦ13 of 15

of Nazareth

G3479

a nazarene, i.e., inhabitant of nazareth

Ἰησοῦ14 of 15

Jesus

G2424

jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites

ἦσθα15 of 15

wast

G2258

i (thou, etc.) was (wast or were)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Mark. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Mark 14:67 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Mark 14:67 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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