14:71a

But: The Greek conjunction that the Berean Standard Bible translates as “But” here, connects Peter’s response to the people’s statement that he was one of Jesus’ followers. The New International Version and the New Living Translation do not translate the conjunction. The Good News Bible, Contemporary English Version and God’s Word translate it as “Then.” This is the same Greek word that was used in 14:68a in a similar context. Connect this verse to 14:70 in a natural way in your language.

he began to curse: The word began is probably used here to indicate that Peter called down curses on himself several times.

began to curse: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as began to curse indicates that Peter was asking God to punish him if he was not telling the truth. He did this to try to convince his listeners that he did not know Jesus.

Here are other some ways to translate 14:71a:

Then Peter began to place a curse on himself (New Century Version)
-or-
But he began to invoke a curse on himself (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! (Good News Bible)

14:71b

swear: In this context the word swear has the same meaning as “curse” in 14:71a. Mark used both of these words here for emphasis.

In some languages it may be necessary to include a word like “said” here. For example:

he swore to them and said

General Comment on 71a–b

In some languages it may be difficult to find two different words or expressions that mean “call down curses on oneself.” If that is true in your language, try to express the emphasis in another way. For example:

Peter began calling down God’s judgment on himself, and he said to them

Mark does not actually record the words that Peter used to call down God’s curse on himself. 14:71c is not the curse. It is Peter’s denial of Jesus.

14:71c

“I do not know this man of whom you speak!”: This part of the verse gives the words that Peter used to deny knowing Jesus. In Greek the word man is literally “person.”

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

I do not know this person of whom you speak.
-or-
I don’t even know the man you’re talking about! (Contemporary English Version)

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