Mark 15:2 “Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”    Jesus did not hide his identity. Pilate asked a direct question. He didn’t have to have witnesses like the Jews. If he thought Jesus was guilty, then he was. If…

Mark 15:1 “Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.”    This consultation was little more than a formality. They had already decided what to do to everyone’s satisfaction. Taking him to…

Mark 14:72 “A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.”    Ah, what a human place to be! We find ourselves here many times. But…

Mark 14:71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”    Now he would look really silly if he admitted the fact. So, he begins to act as a flagrant fellow, tossing out words he ought not to say. This often happens when we are embarrassed…

Mark 14:70 “But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”    His accent easily gave him away. Not being from Jerusalem, he really stuck out. This is one of those…

Mark 14:69 “And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.”   So, being not convinced by Peter, this same girl affirms his association with Christ. Likely she didn’t think he would overhear her, but at this point it was all he could…

Mark 14:68 “But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.”    Not only does he deny knowing Jesus personally, he is here denying that he even knew who Jesus was at all. Obviously, this is senseless. But, we…

Mark 14:67 “And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”    She may have recognized John already, which is likely. This would explain her wording of this sentence. John must have been a bit more acquainted with the politics of the religious elite…

Mark 14:66 “Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.”    Peter was watching from what he probably thought was a ‘safe distance’ in that he would be able to say he was there, but he was far enough away to leave when he wanted.…

Mark 14:65 “Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.”    This wasn’t the judgement of a criminal, but the humiliation of an opponent. There was no shame, no sense of…