Bible Strands
Mark 14:71
But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak!”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter speaks to bystanders near the high priest’s courtyard after his second denial. He responds to their third accusation that his Galilean speech marks him as Jesus’ follower.
The words — ἀναθεματίζειν (anathematizein) means to curse, and ὀμνύναι (omnunai) means to swear, capturing the intensity of his verbal rejection. ἤρξατο (ērxato) marks the start of this desperate escalation.
The thread — The deceitful nature of human fear aligns with Jeremiah 17:9, while the unfolding of divine judgment through human agency appears in 2 Kings 8:12 and 2 Kings 10:32.
Why it lands — The text records Peter’s violent denial before describing his immediate remorse, showing that fear can override prior commitment. It requires readers to confront how quickly their own loyalties fracture when confronted by authority.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak.
Cross-references
- 2 Kings 8:12 “Why is my lord weeping?” asked Hazael. “Because I know the evil you will do to the Israelites,” Elisha replied. “You will set fire to their fortresses, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little ones to pieces, and rip open their pregnant women.”
- 2 Kings 10:32 In those days the LORD began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory
- Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- 1 Corinthians 10:12 So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.