A Sample Analysis: Peter's Denial

Let's give you a taste of what forensic linguistic analysis reveals: Mark 14:66-72 NIV

"While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. But he denied it. "I don't know or understand what you're talking about," he said, and went out into the entryway.

What Forensic Linguistic Analysis Reveals:

"I don't know or understand what you're talking about"

This is one of the most psychologically complex denials in Scripture. Peter doesn't simply say "No." Instead:

1. Double denial ("don't know" AND "don't understand") - tremendous stress

2. "What you're talking about" - distancing language (not "him," not "Jesus")

3. The word "that" - "that Nazarene" = attempting to create distance from Jesus

4. Unnecessary explanation = When people tell the truth, they use fewer words

5. Physical movement immediately after = "went out into the entryway" = escape behaviour

   
   

Forensic Linguistic Verdict: This is the language of someone in profound psychological distress. Peter isn't lying casually he's having an internal crisis. The excessive words reveal his brain working overtime, trying to distance himself from a truth he desperately doesn't want to acknowledge.

This is forensic evidence of genuine emotional trauma, preserved word-for-word for 2,000 years.

That's what we do here.