MARK LESSON 32
We will begin this lesson in Mark 14:51.
Mark 14:51 "And there followed him a certain young man, having a
linen cloth cast about [his] naked [body]; and the young men laid hold
on him:" Mark 14:52 "And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them
naked."
Most people believe this young man was Mark, himself. Most
theologians believe that the Passover was held at Mark's house. We
can see the flight of this young follower as the same kind of
circumstance the disciples would have been in, if they hadn't run.
Mark 14:53 "And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with
him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the
scribes."
The "High Priest" was Caiaphas. They had quickly gathered a group
of priests, elders, and scribes to make quick work of this trial of
Jesus.
Mark 14:54 "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."
John 18:15 says, "And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and [so
did] another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest,
and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest." This other
disciple was commonly believed to be John. Peter stayed with the
servants out in the area for the servants.
Mark 14:55 "And the chief priests and all the council sought for
witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none."
They really had no charges at all against Jesus that would stand
up in court. They wanted to kill Him, but had no grounds for killing
Him. They could find no witness to anything that was punishable by
death.
Mark 14:56 "For many bare false witness against him, but their
witness agreed not together."
You see, all of them were liars, because Jesus had never sinned
against God, or man.
Mark 14:57 "And there arose certain, and bare false witness
against him, saying," Mark 14:58 "We heard him say, I will destroy
this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will
build another made without hands."
They did not realize that He was speaking of His body. And even
in this accusation, they did not agree, as you see in the next verse.
Mark 14:59 "But neither so did their witness agree together."
Mark 14:60 "And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked
Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what [is it which] these
witness against thee?"
The high priest wanted something he could charge Jesus with. If
Jesus had answered, it would have done nothing but make Him look
guilty, because the accusations were so varied and without detail. The
high priest could not believe that Jesus would not defend Himself.
Mark 14:61 "But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again
the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the
Son of the Blessed?"
Now the high priest had stopped asking general questions and had
hit on the question that he really wanted the answer to. This question
was a real set up so that the high priest could accuse Jesus.
Mark 14:62 "And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man
sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of
heaven."
Jesus' answer was straightforward, He just said, "I am". Jesus
added a warning to this high priest. In a sense Jesus was saying, "It
may look like you have power over me, but there will come a time when
you will stand before me to be judged". We see a prophetic statement
here of when Jesus will return in the clouds for the believers.
Mark 14:63 "Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith,
What need we any further witnesses?" Mark 14:64 "Ye have heard the
blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of
death."
Jesus told the truth and was condemned by these evil priests and
high priest. When he rent his clothes (meaning he violently tore his
outer tunic off), he was showing his great displeasure in what Jesus
had said. Since this high priest, the priests , the scribes,
Pharisees, and elders were opposed to Jesus, it was no surprise that
they condemned Him to be guilty of death.
Mark 14:65 "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."
We see, here, that they slapped the Lord of all the earth and
spit on Him. Isaiah had prophesied about this very thing in chapter
50:6.
Mark 14:66 "And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh
one of the maids of the high priest:" Mark 14:67 "And when she saw
Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also
wast with Jesus of Nazareth."
Many people had seen Jesus and His disciples. It certainly would
not be hidden for long that Peter was one of the disciples. Peter had
so soon forgotten what Jesus had told him that he would do, as you see
here.
Mark 14:68 "But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand
I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock
crew."
Not only did Peter deny Jesus, but in so doing he was lying.
Peter went out of the building to the porch then, so if they accused
him again, he would have a better way to get away. Fear will make us
do terrible things.
Mark 14:69 "And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them
that stood by, This is [one] of them." Mark 14:70 "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]."
We see, here, a very frightened man. Peter had been with Jesus and
seen the miracles. He was there at the transfiguration and heard the
voice of the Father saying that Jesus was His Son. Fear of death had
gripped Peter and caused him to doubt. Here they were really putting
pressure on Peter, saying you may deny it, but you are with Him. Your
speech and your nationality give you away.
Mark 14:71 "But he began to curse and to swear, [saying], I know
not this man of whom ye speak."
Peter now committed another sin. He added cursing to his lying. It
made him angry at them, but more angry at himself.
Mark 14:72 "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."
We see, here, a broken man. When the cock crew the second time,
Peter immediately remembered what Jesus had said to him. Peter
suddenly knew that he had failed his Lord. He wept not only because
he let Jesus down, but wept because he felt Jesus would not forgive
him for this. The next mention of Peter we will see him back in his boat
fishing for fish again.
Mark 32 Questions
1. What happened to the young man (who had a linen wrap on) following
Jesus?
2. Who do most people believe the young man was?
3. Where did they take Jesus to be questioned?
4. Who were with him as he questioned Jesus?
5. Who, probably, was the high priest?
6. Who followed (that was named) into the palace of the high priest?
7. In St. John, we find that another disciple was there, who was it
probably?
8. Where did Peter stay?
9. For what purpose did the chief priests and the council try to get
a solid witness against Jesus?
10. Why were the false witnesses not used?
11. What did some of the witnesses say Jesus had said about the
temple?
12. What had they not understood?
13. When the high priest asked why Jesus didn't answer, what was he
trying to do?
14. What specific question did the high priest ask Jesus?
15. How did Jesus answer?
16. What warning to the high priest did He include when He answered
him?
17. What reaction did the high priest have?
18. What did they all condemn Jesus to be?
19. What does "rent his clothes" mean?
20. What did the onlookers begin to do to Jesus?
21. Where was Peter when all of this was happening?
22. Who was the first to say that Peter had been with Jesus?
23. When she accused Peter, what answer did he give?
24. Where did Peter go after the accusation?
25. How many times did Peter deny Jesus?
26. What happened immediately after, that Jesus had told Peter would
happen?
27. What had gripped Peter and caused him to deny knowing Jesus?
28. What other sin, besides lying, did Peter commit?
29. Give two reasons why Peter wept.
Notes
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