Devine Scripture

Mark 14:68

What does Mark 14:68 mean?

A plain-English look at Mark 14:68 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Mark 14:68 means

Peter denies, saying he neither knows nor understands what she is saying, and goes out into the porch; the cock crows. His denial is sweeping—disclaiming knowledge and comprehension. He seeks to create distance physically as well, retreating to the entryway. The first cockcrow is God’s merciful alarm, but Peter does not yet awaken. Fear of exposure overrides earlier promises. The contrast with Jesus’ open confession is stark. Peter’s rationalizations begin, showing how denial often starts softly, then hardens. Yet grace is at work, marking time toward repentance.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But he denied, saying, I neither know, nor understand what thou sayest: and he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But he denied, saying, I neither know, nor understand what thou sayest: and he went out into the porch; and the cock crew.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he said, I have no knowledge of him, or of what you are saying: and he went out into the doorway; and there came the cry of a cock.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he denied, saying, `I have not known <FI>him<Fi> , neither do I understand what thou sayest;' and he went forth without to the porch, and a cock crew.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But he denied, saying: I neither know nor understand what thou sayest. And he went forth before the court; and the cock crew.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But he denied, saying, I know not nor understand what thou sayest. And he went out into the vestibule; and a cock crew.

Context

This is Peter’s first denial, followed by the initial cockcrow. The narrative notes his movement to the porch, hinting at his desire to escape notice. The warning sound fulfills part of Jesus’ prediction and foreshadows the completion after the third denial. The next verse brings the maid’s renewed accusation to the bystanders, escalating social pressure. Then comes a second denial, followed by a broader confrontation and Peter’s final, vehement disowning of Jesus.

v.67and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and saith, Thou also wast with the Nazarene, even Jesus.

v.68This passage

v.69And the maid saw him, and began again to say to them that stood by, This is one of them.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 26:71

    And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and saith unto them that were there, This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.

  • John 13:36

    Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow afterwards.

  • Mark 14:29

    But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I.

  • Mark 14:72

    And straightway the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word, how that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

  • 2 Timothy 2:12

    if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us:

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