King James Version

What Does Mark 14:70 Mean?

Mark 14:70 in the King James Version says “And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for tho...” — study this verse from Mark chapter 14 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And 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.

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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

  1. How does Peter's Galilean accent—something he couldn't hide—parallel the impossibility of hiding true discipleship?
  2. Why does the crowd's certainty ('surely thou art one of them') increase the pressure on Peter to deny more vehemently?
  3. What does Peter's inability to escape identification teach about the cost and visibility of following Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 26 words
ὁ1 of 26
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 26

“And”

G1161

but, and, etc

πάλιν3 of 26

“again”

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

ἠρνεῖτο4 of 26

“he denied it”

G720

to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate

καὶ5 of 26

“And”

G2532

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

μετὰ6 of 26

“after”

G3326

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

μικρὸν7 of 26

“a little”

G3397

a small space of time or degree

πάλιν8 of 26

“again”

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

οἱ9 of 26
G3588

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

παρεστῶτες10 of 26

“they that stood by”

G3936

to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or

ἔλεγον11 of 26

“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

τῷ12 of 26
G3588

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

Πέτρῳ13 of 26

“to Peter”

G4074

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

Ἀληθῶς14 of 26

“Surely”

G230

truly

ἐξ15 of 26

“one of”

G1537

a 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”

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

εἶ17 of 26

“thou art”

G1488

thou art

καὶ18 of 26

“And”

G2532

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

γὰρ19 of 26
G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

Γαλιλαῖος20 of 26

“a Galilaean”

G1057

galilean or belonging to galilea

εἶ21 of 26

“thou art”

G1488

thou art

καὶ22 of 26

“And”

G2532

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

ἡ23 of 26
G3588

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

λαλιά24 of 26

“speech”

G2981

talk

σου25 of 26

“thy”

G4675

of thee, thy

ὁμοιάζει26 of 26

“agreeth”

G3662

to resemble

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

Luke 22:59-60Matthew 26:73-74Mark 14:68Acts 2:7Judges 12:6John 18:26-27

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