What does Mark 14:27-31 mean?

BURKITT : | Mr 14:1-2 | Mr 14:3-9 | Mr 14:10-11 | Mr 14:12-16 | Mr 14:17-21 | Mr 14:22-26 | Mr 14:27-31 | Mr 14:32-42 | Mr 14:43-50 | Mr 14:51-65 | Mr 14v66-72 | KJV

Reference

27 And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. 28 But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. 29 But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. 30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. 31 But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. (Mark 14:27-31 KJV)

William Burkitt’s Commentary

Observe here, 1. The warning that our Saviour gives his disciples of their forsaking of him in the time of his sufferings; All ye shall be offended because of me this night.

Learn, That Christ’s dearest friends forsook and left him alone, in the midst of his greatest distress and danger.

Observe, 2. What was the cause of their flight; it was their fear, the weakness of their faith, and the prevalence of their fear.

O! how sad and dangerous is it for the best of men to be left under the power of their own fears in the day of temptation!

Observe, 3. Notwithstanding our Saviour’s prediction, St. Peter’s presumption of his own strength and standing; Though all men forsake thee, yet will not I.

Learn thence, That self-confidence, and presumptuous opinion, of their own strength, is a sin very incident to the holiest and best of men. This good man resolved honestly, no doubt; what a feather he should be in the wind of temptation if once left to the power and prevalence of his own fears. None are so near falling, as those who are the most confident of their own standing; if ever we stand on the day of trail, it is the fear of falling that must enable us to stand.