66 As Peter was below in the courtyard , one of the servant-girls of the high priest came , 67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said , "You also were with Jesus the Nazarene ." 68 But he denied it, saying , "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." And he went out onto the porch . and a rooster crowed . 69 The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders , "This is one of them!" 70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter , "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean too ." 71 But he began to curse and swear , "I do not know this man you are talking about!" 72 Immediately a rooster crowed a second time . And Peter remembered how Jesus had made the remark to him, "Before a rooster crows twice , you will deny Me three times ." And he began to weep .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Mark 14:66-72
Commentary on Mark 14:66-72
(Read Mark 14:66-72)
Peter's denying Christ began by keeping at a distance from him. Those that are shy of godliness, are far in the way to deny Christ. Those who think it dangerous to be in company with Christ's disciples, because thence they may be drawn in to suffer for him, will find it much more dangerous to be in company with his enemies, because there they may be drawn in to sin against him. When Christ was admired and flocked after, Peter readily owned him; but will own no relation to him now he is deserted and despised. Yet observe, Peter's repentance was very speedy. Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall; and let him that has fallen think of these things, and of his own offences, and return to the Lord with weeping and supplication, seeking forgiveness, and to be raised up by the Holy Spirit.