Four Witnesses

Mark 14:53-72

53 They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes assembled. 54 Peter followed him at a distance, right into the high priest’s courtyard. He was sitting with the servants, warming himself by the fire.
 55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they could not find any. 56 For many were giving false testimony against him, and the testimonies did not agree. 57 Some stood up and gave false testimony against him, stating, 58 “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with human hands, and in three days I will build another not made by hands.’ ” 59 Yet their testimony did not agree even on this.
60 Then the high priest stood up before them all and questioned Jesus, “Don’t you have an answer to what these men are testifying against you? ” 61 But he kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest questioned him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? ”
 62 “I am,” said Jesus, “and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
 63 Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “Why do we still need witnesses? 64 You have heard the blasphemy. What is your decision? ” They all condemned him as deserving death.
 65 Then some began to spit on him, to blindfold him, and to beat him, saying, “Prophesy! ” The temple servants also took him and slapped him.
Peter Denies His Lord
66 While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the high priest’s maidservants came. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus, the man from Nazareth.”
68 But he denied it: “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about.” Then he went out to the entryway, and a rooster crowed.
 69 When the maidservant saw him again, she began to tell those standing nearby, “This man is one of them.”
 70 But again he denied it. After a little while those standing there said to Peter again, “You certainly are one of them, since you’re also a Galilean.”
 71 Then he started to curse and swear, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about! ”
 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered when Jesus had spoken the word to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

GOING DEEPER
Parallel, Related and Referenced Passages
Parallel Accounts: Matt. 26:57-75; Luke 22:54-71; John 18:13-27
 
1) FALSE WITNESS

• John 2:19 — Jesus’ statement about the temple and His resurrection.
• Exodus 20:16 — The command against bearing false witness.
• Proverbs 19:5 — The consequences of false testimony.
• Isaiah 5:20 — Calling evil good and good evil.
• John 3:19–20 — Rejecting truth in order to stay in darkness.

2) TRUE WITNESS

• Psalm 110:1 — The Messiah seated at God’s right hand.
• Daniel 7:13–14 — The Son of Man receiving authority/glory.
• 1 John 2:22–23 — Confessing Jesus as the Messiah & Son.
• John 8:58 — Jesus declares, “Before Abraham was, I am.”
• Colossians 1:15–20 — Christ’s supremacy/divine nature.
• Hebrews 1:1–4 — The Son’s glory and supremacy.
• Examples of Christ’s Deity Displayed in Mark:
• Mark 1:23–27 — Jesus’ authority over demons.
• Mark 1:40–42 — Jesus heals a man with leprosy.
• Mark 2:5–12 — Jesus’ authority to forgive sins.
• Mark 2:28 — The Son of Man as Lord of the Sabbath.
• Mark 4:35–41 — Jesus calms the storm.
• Mark 5:1–20 — Jesus’ authority over evil spirits.
• Mark 5:21–43 — Jesus’ authority over sickness and death.
• Mark 6:45–52 — Jesus walks on the water. (Job 9:8)
• Mark 7:31–37 — Jesus heals a deaf man.
• Mark 9:2–8 — The Transfiguration.
• Mark 10:33–34 — Jesus foretells His suffering and death.

3) FAILED WITNESS

• Matthew 10:33 — Jesus warns about denying Him.
• Mark 13:13 — The call to endure to the end.
• John 10:28 — Christ gives His sheep eternal life and keeps them secure.
• 1 John 2:19 — Those who abandon the faith reveal that they did not truly belong.
• Mark 4:16–17 — The seed on rocky ground and falling away under persecution.

4) GOSPEL WITNESS

• Matthew 27:3–4 — Judas’ remorse and confession; told to deal with the consequences himself.
• Mark 16:7 — The risen Jesus specifically sends a message to Peter.
• Acts 2:14–41 — Peter proclaims Christ at Pentecost.
• John 21:15–19 — Jesus restores Peter.
• Acts 4:8–12 — Peter boldly testifies about Jesus before the authorities.
• Acts 5:27–32 — Peter and the apostles continue to bear witness to Christ.
• Ephesians 2:8–10 — Salvation by grace through faith.
• Romans 5:8 — Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

CONSIDER

1. What is the difference between honestly wrestling with questions about Jesus vs. looking for reasons to reject Him? How can we recognize that difference in ourselves?

2. Why is it essential that we accept Jesus for who He says He is rather than reshape Him into someone who fits our preferences?

3. What is the difference between a believer who stumbles into serious sin and someone who ultimately abandons the faith? How do the warnings in Scripture and the promises of God's sustaining power help us understand this?

4. When are you most tempted to protect your reputation, comfort, relationships, or safety rather than openly identify with Christ?

5. Why is it important to call sin what it is?  How might minimizing our sin cause us to minimize Jesus’s sacrifice?

6. What is the difference between merely feeling bad about sin or trying to fix it ourselves and turning to Jesus in faith? Where are you tempted to rely on your own efforts rather than Christ's finished work?

7. How does Peter’s story encourage you to be a faithful witness for Jesus, even after you’ve failed Him?