Spurgeon Verse Expositions - Mark 14:27 - 14:72

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Spurgeon Verse Expositions - Mark 14:27 - 14:72


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

Mar_14:27-29. And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

There was love in that utterance, and so far it was commendable; but there was also much self-trust in it, but there was great presumption, for Peter dared even to contradict his Master to his face; and, at the same time, he contradicted the inspired Scripture, for Jesus had told the disciples that it was written that the sheep should be scattered. Yet Peter boldly denied both what God had written and what Christ had said. Alas! there is nothing of evil which proud self-confidence will not make us do. God save us from such a spirit as that!

Mar_14:30-31. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise.

See how positive he was, how reliant upon the strength of his own love. It was well to feel such love, but it was ill to mix with it such self-confidence.

Mar_14:31. Likewise also said they all.

Whenever a man, who is called to be a leader, goes astray, others are pretty sure to follow him. It was so on this occasion, for when Peter made his boastful speech, “Likewise also said they all,” all the rest of his brethren chimed in, and so shared in his sin, but he was chief in the wrong-doing, for he led them all. In the 53rd verse, we read what happened after Christ’s agony and betrayal in Gethsemane:—

Mar_14:53-54. And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and, the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

Meanwhile, Christ was being put to the utmost derision and contempt. In the 66th verse, we are told more concerning the boastful apostle:—

Mar_14:66-70. And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: and when she saw Peter warming Himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. 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.

He could not hold his tongue, you see. He was always fast and forward in speech; and no sooner did he begin to speak than the people said, “That is the Galilaean brogue; you come from that part of the country, your speech betrays you.”

Mar_14:71-72. But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. 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.

This exposition consisted of readings from Mar_14:27-31; Mar_14:53-54; Mar_14:66-72; and Joh_18:15-18; Joh_18:25-27.