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.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
3 of 26
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
μετὰ
after
G3326
μετὰ
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
6 of 26
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
πάλιν
again
G3825
πάλιν
again
Strong's:
G3825
Word #:
8 of 26
(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
παρεστῶτες
they that stood by
G3936
παρεστῶτες
they that stood by
Strong's:
G3936
Word #:
10 of 26
to stand beside, i.e., (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specially), recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; or (intransitively) to be at hand (or
ἔλεγον
said
G3004
ἔλεγον
said
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 26
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 26
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρῳ
to Peter
G4074
Πέτρῳ
to Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
13 of 26
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
ἐξ
one of
G1537
ἐξ
one of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
15 of 26
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
αὐτῶν
them
G846
αὐτῶν
them
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 26
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
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
18 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γὰρ
G1063
γὰρ
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
19 of 26
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
22 of 26
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Historical 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.'
Questions for Reflection
- How does Peter's Galilean accent—something he couldn't hide—parallel the impossibility of hiding true discipleship?
- Why does the crowd's certainty ('surely thou art one of them') increase the pressure on Peter to deny more vehemently?
- What does Peter's inability to escape identification teach about the cost and visibility of following Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & 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.