“I Do Not Know This Man” (Mark 14:53-72)
Mark 14:53-72
This is a recap of our Bible Caller Club meeting on April 27th, 2026 over this passage. If you want to join the club and attend future meetings and study with us via phone, click here.
1. What’s happening in this passage?
Jesus’ Kingdom is coming into power, not with a sword, but with a cross. At this point, everyone rejects Jesus’ Kingdom. The religious leaders do, and even Jesus’ own apostles. In 53-65, the scribes and Pharisees begin receiving testimony against Jesus’ Kingdom, but it is all false, and no one can agree. In verse 62, upon their questioning, Jesus affirms that He is the Christ by referencing Daniel 7:13-14, which says, in part, “And to Him was given dominion, Glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every tongue might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not be taken away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” The religious leaders would have been familiar with this passage, and would have understood what Jesus was saying. But they flatly reject His claim as that King.
Then, in 66-72, Peter also flatly rejects the Kingdom of Jesus, even after he had sworn that he would not deny Jesus (14:31). He has 3 chances, but each time, chooses to deny Jesus and His Kingdom. Jesus’ prediction about the rooster crowing takes place, and Peter is hit with the seriousness of what he had just done—Deny the coming Kingdom of the Son of Man by saying “I don’t know this man” (71).
2. What is God revealing about humanity?
Even when presented with undeniable evidence that Jesus is the Christ and His Kingdom has come, like the religious leaders, we often go to any length necessary to deny His Kingship in our lives. Just as the scribes and Pharisees had to bring false testimony, we often have to lie to ourselves (or others) in order to deny Jesus’ Kingship over our lives. Even when we claim to be with Jesus, and firmly in His Kingdom, just like Peter, we will fail and deny Jesus as well. There is no one, from critic to Christian, who has not denied Jesus’ Kingdom. The rooster is crowing.
3. What is God revealing about Himself?
Jesus is the Christ! His Kingdom is here! It comes in power, but not in the way we expect. Jesus Kingdom has dominion through sacrifice, service and submission. He submits and sacrifices even when His closest friends are actively denying Him. He knew Peter would deny Him, but He STILL chose to stand trial and go to the cross. He knows we will deny Him, yet He still died for us. His compassion and grace know no bounds.
4. How should our lives change?
It is time we hear the rooster crowing. We all have denied Jesus, and He is giving us a second chance to stand with Him in His Kingdom. It is time to stop bearing false testimony in our lives to ourselves and to God, justifying why Jesus’ Kingdom should have no authority in our lives, and recognize Jesus as the great “I AM” and welcome the dominion of His Kingdom into our lives. The rooster is crowing.
