Mark 14:27- 32| Session 56 | Mark Rightly Divided
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Mark 14:27-42 | The Garden of Gethsemane
Mark 14:27-28 | Prophecy of Denial
Verse 27 -
When Jesus predicts they will be offended, he uses the Greek word σκανδαλίζω (skandalizō), which means "to stumble.” Here, Jesus foretells that all of them will stumble before the night is over.
Jesus bases this prediction on Zechariah 13:7, which He quotes to them. While the passage in Zechariah warrants its own analysis, any such examination would need to account for Jesus' application of these words to the time of His crucifixion. Jesus uses Zechariah's prophecy about "striking the shepherd" to foretell that everyone would be scattered that night.
Since I argue that there were more than just the 12 disciples present, we must conclude that not only the 12 but also the others were "scattered" that night. We shouldn't misinterpret the word "offended" in its modern English sense to mean that everyone took offense at Jesus, especially since we see many of them at the cross the next day. Instead, they will "stumble and fall" before the night is over, dispersing temporarily, only to return the following day (many of them, at least). Verse 50 tells us that “they all forsook him and fled” that night, just as Jesus had said.
The modern versions delete the words "because of me this night," allowing for a more long-term interpretation. I contend that Jesus is referring only to the disciples being scattered before the night is over, not in some long-term kind of context. In fact, not "all" of them are scattered in the long term; many stay in Jerusalem and serve Jesus faithfully until their death. By removing the words "this night," we could go on a "wild goose chase" looking for all of them to be scattered. We should also add that the modern versions use "fall" rather than "offended" or "stumble," and in doing so introduce a nuance that isn't in the text. Before the night is over, they forsake him and flee, but "fall" would imply a permanent departure.
Verse 28 -
Jesus swiftly moves from bad news to good news, telling them that there will be a reunion in Galilee. Although the first reunion would occur in Jerusalem on Sunday night, the majority of post-resurrection encounters between Jesus and his followers would take place in Galilee.
Mark 14:29-31 | Prophecy Concerning Peter
Verse 29 -
Peter doesn't question that the rest of them will stumble that night, but he insists that he personally won't. Note that the KJV uses "although," which assumes the statement to be true (rather than "even if" as used in NIV and some others). This "condition met" wording faithfully reflects the Greek.
People often fall into two camps: those who constantly doubt their ability to persevere, and those who, like Peter, overestimate their ability to remain firm. It's valuable to take an honest look at ourselves and recognize which way we tend to lean—do we underrate or overrate our steadfastness?
Peter was among those who asked, "Is it I?" (Mark 14:19). Yet now he displays a "steel backbone." Many of us may oscillate between periods of doubt and moments of great strength on a "roller coaster of resilience" that, ironically, reveals our weakness more than anything else.
Verse 30 -
Jesus' precise prediction about Peter's denial requires us to assume the event is predestined. Given its predestined nature, we can infer a larger purpose behind the denial before the second rooster crow. While the exact purpose may be speculative, it could relate to the Lord molding Peter into the apostolic leader He envisions. This idea gains support when we consider the three-fold "feed my sheep" event in John's Gospel, which seems connected to this denial.
Jesus' phrasing, "this day, even in this night," illustrates Jewish timekeeping. In Western thought, "before the rooster crows" would be tomorrow. However, in Jewish reckoning, "this day" begins at sundown. Thus, "before the rooster crows" is still considered part of "this day."
Verse 31 -
Peter's display of confidence, while seemingly noble, might have been better channeled into seeking clarification from the Lord about His specific prediction. Had Peter inquired about the details of the accusation, could the event have been averted? One wonders if the vehemence of Peter's "denial of pending denial" was itself a factor in the Lord's predestination of the event.
Don't overlook the fact that "Likewise also said they all." The crowd seems fully stirred by Peter's seemingly noble confidence. Yet, they too would "be offended" before the night ended, as each of them would forsake him before it was over.
Mark 14:32-42 | The Garden Prayer
Verse 32 -
The famous Garden of Gethsemane is located just across the Kidron Brook, at the base of the Mount of Olives. Today, it is home to the Church of All Nations, also known as the Basilica of the Agony. This church, built between 1919 and 1924, stands on the site where many believe that Jesus prayed on the night of his arrest. The church's facade features a striking mosaic depicting Christ as the link between God and humanity.
Stepping inside the Church of All Nations, visitors are immediately struck by the intentional darkness of the interior, designed to evoke the somber mood of Christ's agony. The church's most notable feature is the exposed bedrock near the altar, believed by some to be the very spot where Jesus prayed. This rock is surrounded by a wrought-iron crown of thorns. Above, twelve small domes dominate the ceiling, each decorated with the coat of arms of a nation that contributed to the church's construction.
The walls of the church are adorned with stunning mosaics that depict various scenes from Christ's passion in the garden. These mosaics, with their rich colors and intricate details, stand out dramatically against the church's subdued lighting, creating a powerful visual narrative of Jesus' final hours before his arrest.
The garden also contains olive trees estimated to be over 900 years old, with a few potentially dating back to the time of Christ. While these trees are not the exact ones from Jesus' time, they may be offshoots of the original trees. The name "Gethsemane" is Aramaic for "oil press," which is fitting for its location at the foot of the Mount of Olives.
The disciples (more than just the 12) were instructed to remain at a specific location while Jesus prayed. We can infer from Judas's knowledge of their whereabouts that Jesus and His followers frequently used the garden as a gathering place during their time in Jerusalem. The exact hour is uncertain, but it must have been early enough in the evening that the group of disciples had not yet dispersed to their lodgings or campsites, the Mount of Olives being a perfect location for travelers to encamp while at Jerusalem for the feasts.
