King James Version
What Does Mark 14:70 Mean?
“And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.”
Mark 14:70 · KJV
Context
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.
70
And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto.
71
But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
72
And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. when: or, he wept abundantly, or, he began to weep
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd he denied it again (ὁ δὲ πάλιν ἠρνεῖτο, ho de palin ērneito)—The adverb πάλιν (palin, 'again') marks the second denial. The imperfect tense ἠρνεῖτο (ērneito) suggests continued or repeated denial—Peter kept denying. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter (καὶ μετὰ μικρὸν πάλιν οἱ παρεστῶτες ἔλεγον τῷ Πέτρῳ, kai meta mikron palin hoi parestōtes elegon tō Petrō)—The time gap allowed tension to build. Now the entire group (οἱ παρεστῶτες, hoi parestōtes) confronts him.
Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean (ἀληθῶς ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶ, καὶ γὰρ Γαλιλαῖος εἶ, alēthōs ex autōn ei, kai gar Galilaios ei)—The adverb ἀληθῶς (alēthōs, 'truly, surely') expresses certainty. And thy speech agreeth thereto (καὶ ἡ λαλιά σου ὁμοιάζει, kai hē lalia sou homoiazei)—Peter's λαλιά (lalia, dialect/accent) betrayed him. Matthew 26:74 records Peter's response: he 'began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man'—the third and most vehement denial.
Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean (ἀληθῶς ἐξ αὐτῶν εἶ, καὶ γὰρ Γαλιλαῖος εἶ, alēthōs ex autōn ei, kai gar Galilaios ei)—The adverb ἀληθῶς (alēthōs, 'truly, surely') expresses certainty. And thy speech agreeth thereto (καὶ ἡ λαλιά σου ὁμοιάζει, kai hē lalia sou homoiazei)—Peter's λαλιά (lalia, dialect/accent) betrayed him. Matthew 26:74 records Peter's response: he 'began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man'—the third and most vehement denial.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Galilean Aramaic differed from Judean dialect in pronunciation and vocabulary. Galileans often dropped or mispronounced guttural sounds (ayin and het), leading to mockery from southerners. The Talmud preserves examples of Galileans confused in Jerusalem markets due to accent. Peter's speech thus served as ethnic/regional identifier, linking him irrevocably to Jesus, who was known as 'the Galilean.'
Reflection Questions
- How does Peter's Galilean accent—something he couldn't hide—parallel the impossibility of hiding true discipleship?
- Why does the crowd's certainty ('surely thou art one of them') increase the pressure on Peter to deny more vehemently?
- What does Peter's inability to escape identification teach about the cost and visibility of following Christ?
Original Language Analysis
Greek · 26 wordsπάλιν3 of 26
“again”
G3825(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
καὶ5 of 26
“And”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ6 of 26
“after”
G3326properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
πάλιν8 of 26
“again”
G3825(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
παρεστῶτες10 of 26
“they that stood by”
G3936to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
ἔλεγον11 of 26
“said”
G3004properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ἐξ15 of 26
“one of”
G1537a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν16 of 26
“them”
G846the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
καὶ18 of 26
“And”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γὰρ19 of 26
G1063properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ22 of 26
“And”
G2532and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
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 14:70 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 14:70 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge