crows

November 14, 2018

Peter will deny him three times (Mk 14:30-14:30)

“Jesus said

To Peter.

‘Truly!

I say to you!

This day!

This very night!

Before the cock

Crows twice,

You will deny me

Three times!’”

 

καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ἀμὴν λέγω σοι ὅτι σὺ σήμερον ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ πρὶν ἢ δὶς ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρίς με ἀπαρνήσῃ.

 

This is almost word for word in Matthew, chapter 26:30, but the cock crowed twice here rather than once as in Matthew.  In Luke, chapter 22:34, and John, chapter 13:38, there is one cock crow, but also three denials.  Jesus then turned on Peter.  Mark indicated that Jesus said to Peter (καὶ λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς) with a solemn pronouncement (Ἀμὴν λέγω σοι) that now this very night (ὅτι σὺ σήμερον ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ) before the cock or rooster would crow twice (πρὶν ἢ δὶς ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι), Peter would deny or disown him three times (τρὶς με ἀπαρνήσῃ).  Peter was probably astonished to hear this.

March 22, 2017

The powerless idols (Bar 6:53-5:56)

“These false idols cannot

Set up a king

Over a country.

They cannot

Give rain

To people.

They cannot

Judge

Their own cause.

They cannot

Deliver anyone

Who is wronged.

They have no power.

They are like crows

Between heaven and earth.

When fire breaks out

In a temple

Of wooden gods,

Overlaid with gold

Or silver,

Their priests will flee.

They will escape.

But the gods

Will be burned up

Like timbers.

Besides,

They can offer

No resistance

To a king

Or any enemies.

Why then must

Anyone admit

Or think

That they are gods?”

This author maintains that these false idols cannot set up a king over a country. They cannot give rain to anybody. They cannot judge their own cause. They cannot deliver anyone that has been wronged, since they have no power. They are like crows in the sky. If a fire breaks out in a temple of wooden gods with gold and silver, their priests will flee and escape. However, these idol gods will be burned up like timbers. These weak false idols cannot offer any resistance to a king or any enemies. How then can you think or admit that they are gods?