Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text doesn't say "the cock crowed" but "a cock crew," subtly highlighting that this wasn't some pre-ordained, magical sign, but an ordinary sound that God used to shatter Peter's denial. It's a reminder that even in our most shameful moments, divine intervention can come through the most unexpected, everyday occurrences.
Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Jesus stands trial, His disciples are scattered and afraid, with Peter particularly trying to blend in among the servants in the courtyard of the high priest's house. When questioned for the third time about his identity, Peter vehemently denies knowing Jesus. Immediately after this denial, a rooster crows, a stark reminder of Jesus' prophecy just hours before that Peter would deny him three times.
How does one denial lead to another, and then to curses and swearing? Peter's story is a stark warning about how quickly we can fall.
Peter's denial wasn't a single, isolated event. It was a progression. Imagine the scene: Peter, trying to stay warm and unnoticed, is questioned once. He denies Jesus. Then, questioned again, he denies it more vehemently. Each denial seems to push him further down a dark path, making the next denial seem almost easier, or at least more desperate. The commentators point out that he even began to curse and swear, escalating his sin to numb the fear and shame. This illustrates a crucial truth: sin rarely stays put. It seeks company, and one wrong step can lead to a cascade of others, hardening the heart and dulling the conscience.
It's like a small leak in a dam. At first, it's manageable, but if left unattended, it can widen into a catastrophic breach. Peter's initial hesitation and fear, followed by his first denial, opened the door for more. The pressure of the crowd and his own panic pushed him to double down, each lie requiring another to cover it.
That sudden crow of a rooster might sound like just a barnyard noise, but in this moment, it's God's alarm clock for Peter.
The text notes that 'immediately a rooster crowed.' This wasn't just a random event or a sign of the early morning. For Peter, it was a divine signpost, a reminder of Jesus' specific prophecy just hours before: 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.'
The commentators highlight that this crowing was a direct, God-appointed moment of warning. It was meant to jolt Peter out of his denial and bring him to remembrance. While Luke's Gospel tells us that Jesus' 'look' was what truly broke Peter, the rooster's crow was the initial, external trigger. It's a powerful reminder that even in our worst moments of failure, God is at work, orchestrating circumstances to call us back to Himself. He doesn't abandon us, even when we abandon Him.
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Understand the original words
arneomai · Greek Verb
To disown, renounce, or refuse to acknowledge an association or relationship. In a theological sense, it signifies a failure of faithfulness, courage, or confession regarding one’s loyalty to Christ.
c. AD 30-33— this verse
Jesus' Ministry and Arrest
Following Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was taken to the house of the high priest. Peter, waiting in the courtyard, was questioned by servants and guards.
c. AD 30-33
Peter's First Denial
While warming himself by a fire in the courtyard of the high priest's house, Peter is recognized by a servant girl and denies knowing Jesus for the first time.
c. AD 30-33
Peter's Second Denial
A short time later, Peter is again accused of being a disciple and denies knowing Jesus a second time, perhaps more vehemently.
c. AD 30-33
Peter's Third Denial and the Rooster's Crow
A relative of Malchus, whose ear Peter had cut off, identifies him. Peter vehemently denies Jesus a third time, and immediately a rooster crows, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus Looks at Peter
At the moment of Peter's third denial and the rooster's crow, Jesus, who was in an adjacent room, turns and looks directly at Peter, leading to Peter's deep repentance.
This passage directly parallels Peter's denial and the crowing of the rooster, but also includes Peter's cursing and swearing, highlighting the depth of his fall.
Luke 22:60-62Luke's account emphasizes Jesus' immediate look at Peter after the denial, revealing Christ's awareness and the profound impact of that glance which led to Peter's repentance.
John 13:38This verse shows Jesus foretelling Peter's denial earlier in the evening, underscoring the divine foreknowledge of this event and its significance within God's plan.
John 21:15-17This later interaction beautifully illustrates Peter's restoration and repentance, where Jesus asks him three times if he loves Him, directly addressing the three denials.
henryJohn 18:13-27: "And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year."
18:13-27 Simon Peter denied his Master. The particulars have been noticed in the remarks on the other Gospels. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water. The sin of lying is a fruitful sin; one lie needs another to support it, and that another. If a call to expose ourselves to danger be clear, we may hope God will enable us to honour him; if it be not, we…
calvinJohn 18:25-27: "And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not."
- And Simon Peter was standing there and warming, himself. They said therefore to him, Art not thou also one of his discipYes? He denied it? [142] and said, I am not. 26. One of the servants of the high priest, who was a kinsman of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, Did not I see thee in the garden with him? 27. Then Peter denie…
The text doesn't say "the cock crowed" but "a cock crew," subtly highlighting that this wasn't some pre-ordained, magical sign, but an ordinary sound that God used to shatter Peter's denial. It's a reminder that even in our most shameful moments, divine intervention can come through the most unexpected, everyday occurrences.
As Jesus stands trial, His disciples are scattered and afraid, with Peter particularly trying to blend in among the servants in the courtyard of the high priest's house. When questioned for the third time about his identity, Peter vehemently denies knowing Jesus. Immediately after this denial, a rooster crows, a stark reminder of Jesus' prophecy just hours before that Peter would deny him three times.
As Jesus stands trial, His disciples are scattered and afraid, with Peter particularly trying to blend in among the servants in the courtyard of the high priest's house. When questioned for the third time about his identity, Peter vehemently denies knowing Jesus. Immediately after this denial, a rooster crows, a stark reminder of Jesus' prophecy just hours before that Peter would deny him three times.
"Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed." — The text doesn't say "the cock crowed" but "a cock crew," subtly highlighting that this wasn't some pre-ordained, magical sign, but an ordinary sound that God used to shatter Peter's denial. It's a r…
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Last reviewed October 2026