Disciples’ Fear and Desertion
Category: Failure of courage & faith
Could endure: Stand with Jesus in His trial.
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Mark 14:38)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 26:41; Luke 22:40.
Chose wrongly: Fled in fear.
“Then everyone deserted him and fled.” (Mark 14:50)
Cross-Refs: Zechariah 13:7; John 16:32.
Endured (negatively): Shame, guilt, weakness.
“Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him… and he broke down and wept.” (Mark 14:72)
Cross-Refs: Luke 22:62; John 18:27.
Why (wrong motive): Fear of persecution, weakness of flesh.
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:38)
Cross-Refs: Romans 7:18–19; 2 Timothy 1:7.
Result: Scattered, later restored by Christ.
“Go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.’” (Mark 16:7)
Cross-Refs: John 21:15–19; Acts 2:14.
Religious Leaders’ Hardness of Heart
Category: Failure of truth & humility
Could endure: Recognize Jesus’ authority.
“They were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority.” (Mark 1:22)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 18:18; John 7:46.
Chose wrongly: Accused Him of blasphemy, plotted His death.
“Then the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death.” (Mark 14:55)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 2:2; Matthew 26:59.
Endured (negatively): Blinded, condemned by their own hypocrisy.
“Why are you thinking these things?” (Mark 2:8)
Cross-Refs: John 9:41; Acts 7:52.
Why (wrong motive): Jealousy, fear of losing influence.
“The chief priests and the teachers of the law… began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him.” (Mark 11:18)
Cross-Refs: John 11:48; Galatians 1:10.
Result: Judgment on their house.
“Not one stone here will be left on another.” (Mark 13:2)
Cross-Refs: Luke 21:20–24; Daniel 9:26.
Herod Antipas’ Mockery
Category: Failure of conscience
Could endure: Protect John the Baptist, respond to Jesus rightly.
“Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.” (Mark 6:20)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 14:4; Luke 9:9.
Chose wrongly: Beheaded John, mocked Jesus.
“He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.” (Mark 6:27)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 14:10; Acts 12:1–2.
Endured (negatively): Guilt and fear.
“When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, ‘John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!’” (Mark 6:16)
Cross-Refs: Luke 23:11; Acts 24:25.
Why (wrong motive): Weakness, lust, desire to please others.
“Because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her.” (Mark 6:26)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:25; Galatians 1:10.
Result: Infamy, remembered for cowardice.
“Herod, with his soldiers, ridiculed and mocked him.” (Luke 23:11)
Cross-Refs: Acts 12:23; Revelation 20:12.
Pilate’s Weakness
Category: Failure of justice
Could endure: Release the innocent.
“Pilate asked them, ‘Why? What crime has he committed?’” (Mark 15:14)
Cross-Refs: Luke 23:4; John 19:4.
Chose wrongly: Handed Jesus over to be crucified.
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them.” (Mark 15:15)
Cross-Refs: Matthew 27:26; Acts 3:13.
Endured (negatively): Guilt, dishonor.
“You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you.” (Acts 3:14)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 17:15; Revelation 21:8.
Why (wrong motive): Fear of man, political pressure.
“Wanting to satisfy the crowd…” (Mark 15:15)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:25; John 19:12.
Result: Shared guilt in Christ’s death.
“They killed the author of life.” (Acts 3:15)
Cross-Refs: Isaiah 53:8; 1 Corinthians 2:8.