August 17th, 2024

The progression continues. This Sunday is called the 'Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost'. And this is the third and last Sunday that the appointed Gospel reading comes from the Gospel according to John [6:51-69]. This Sunday also repeats what the previous Sunday did and has the last verse of last week’s text become the first verse of this week’s text. Jesus’ statements about him being the bread of life are important, and he starts to reference his flesh, a very concrete thing. And flesh is something that, initially, does not seem to taste very good.

In the readings of this website, we are much farther along in the Gospel according to Mark, and we are looking at a short section, one at a time. Jesus was just arrested, and in the last week’s reading was condemned, and now the attention of the writer, known as the secretary of Peter, turns toward Peter and his actions.

There is a stark contrast when comparing in the gospel accounts the use of what is called the ‘historical presents’. If you are unfamiliar with what that is, it occurs when the past tense verb is expected, but a present tense is given. These special verbs are indicated in bold print in the translation below.

Here again we see the word ‘come’ as one of the ones in the present. The first of these happened in the first chapter, with a leper coming to Jesus, seeking healing (1:40). Other people needing help would come to Jesus. Other people who already have some power would come to Jesus at other places within this account.

The maidservant below who comes is going to be even more trouble in the paragraph that follows. There is even the use of the word ‘again’, and that word can be a reminder that attackers can have certain habits and territories that they rule and have power over. Peter ends up having a low point in his life because of the power of this one maidservant.

There is a broad range of biblical translations available, from a more literal to a more non-literal translation. And even with the more literal translations, the final text could be said in many different ways. What follows is being called a ‘somewhat-literal’ translation of Mark 14:66-72 (and it may be helpful to look at other translations or a study bible to aid in your understanding of this important text; like Peter, we can sometimes think too highly of ourselves, and that position of repentance makes us ready to receive Jesus’ full and free forgiveness):

And being, the Peter, below in the courtyard, she comes, one of the maidservants of the archpriest, and having seen the Peter warming himself, having looked at him, she says, “And yourself, with the Nazarene, you were, the Jesus.”

Now the one denied, saying, “Neither do I know nor do I understand you, what you are saying.” And he came out, outside into the forecourt, and a rooster sounded.

And the maidservant, having seen him, began again to say to the ones standing by, “This one, of them, he is.” Now the one, again, he was denying.

And after a micron, again, the ones standing by were saying to the Peter, “Truly of them, you are. For, indeed, a Galilean you are.”

Now the one began to anathematize and to swear, “Not do I know the man, this, whom you are saying.” And immediately, from a second, a rooster sounded.

And he remembered, the Peter, the word as he said to him, the Jesus, “Before a rooster, to sound twice, thrice me, you will deny.” And throwing upon, he was weeping.

Not the last verb, but the one before that, 'to throw upon', is an interesting one. Is it appropriate to one who is sorry?

The other uses in this gospel account are only a few. There are waves into a boat (4:37), garments on a donkey (11:7), and the laying on of the hands to arrest Jesus (14:46). A few things are getting thrown around within this gospel account. And there seems to be a bit of chaos going on in this gospel account, and that chaos certainly continues in the world today. There is also a lot of crying or weeping.

It seems that each one of these verbs within this account has something important coming after it. The boat is about to sink. Jesus is about to sit on the donkey and ride into Jerusalem, and Jesus is about to be condemned to die. And it seems that Peter is about to be brought back after his repentance (see 16:7).​

Things sometimes look out of control. Jesus is still in control. He predicted the problem with Peter. Jesus also gave the solution. Jesus was in control all through his suffering and death, and that is true to this very day. And it is true especially when it comes to sin.