“A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, ‘Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times,’ And when he had thrown it over, he wept” (Mark 14:72).
The Gospel of Mark, as you may know, is Peter’s Gospel, recorded by John Mark. For that reason it contains Petrine detail that other Gospels lack.
One striking example is the text above. The last sentence reads, “and when he (Peter) had thrown it over, he wept.” Thrown what over? Translators don’t seem to know what to do with that ungainly phrase.
The verb means exactly that: “to throw something out or over” and, according to one classical Greek source, is an idiom referring to someone throwing the hood of his cloak over his head. That being so, we’re given a vivid picture of Peter’s shame. Having denied his Lord three times, he pulled the hood of his cowl over his head and withdrew in self-contempt and humiliation.
Ah, yes. How often have I, by thought, word or deed, denied my Lord and withdrawn in anguished guilt and shame. How often has Love drawn me out…
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back,
Guiltie of dust and sinne.
But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,
If I lack’d any thing.
A guest, I answer’d, worthy to be here:
Love said, You shall be he.
I the unkinde, ungratefull? Ah my deare,
I cannot look on thee.
Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,
Who made the eyes but I?
Truth Lord, but I have marr’d them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.
And know you not, sayes Love, who bore the blame?
My deare, then I will serve.
You must sit down, sayes Love, and taste my meat:
So I did sit and eat.
—“Love III” by George Herbert (1633)
David Roper
8.2.20
