And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is the active nature of Peter's weeping. The original Greek word suggests he "burst into tears" or even "threw himself down weeping," indicating a sudden, overwhelming flood of grief that consumed him, not a quiet moment of reflection. This wasn't just remembering; it was the dam breaking, revealing the depth of his betrayal and sorrow.
And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Peter is being interrogated and denying Jesus for the third time, the rooster crows again, piercing the night. This second crow jolts Peter as he vividly remembers Jesus’ prophecy that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice, leading to his breakdown and weeping. This moment of profound realization and regret concludes the immediate events of Jesus' unjust preliminary trial.
That moment when a prediction, once dismissed, hits you with the force of reality. For Peter, the crow of a rooster wasn't just a sound; it was an alarm clock for his soul.
Mark 14:72 vividly portrays the immediate and overwhelming impact of Jesus' prophecy on Peter.
Peter’s tears weren’t just about being caught; they flowed from a deeper place. What does this kind of weeping reveal about true repentance?
The nature of Peter's weeping is crucial for understanding his spiritual state.
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Understand the original words
arnēsē · Greek Verb
To disavow, repudiate, or renounce an association with a person or cause, typically under pressure or out of fear of social, political, or physical repercussions. It represents a betrayal of one's known truth or loyalty.
eklaien · Greek Verb
The emotional and spiritual reaction to the realization of sin or betrayal, often characterized by intense sorrow, repentance, and a brokenness of heart before God. It signals the beginning of restoration following failure.
c. AD 30
Jesus predicts Peter's denial
Jesus forewarned Peter that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice, a prophecy Peter vehemently rejected.
Night of Jesus' arrest
Jesus is arrested in Gethsemane
Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane after Judas betrayed him. His disciples, including Peter, scattered in fear.
Night of Jesus' arrest
Peter follows Jesus to High Priest's courtyard
Peter, though fearful, followed Jesus from a distance and entered the courtyard of the High Priest's residence, warming himself by a fire.
Night of Jesus' arrest
Peter denies Jesus three times
Under questioning by servants and bystanders, Peter vehemently denied knowing Jesus three separate times.
Night of Jesus' arrest— this verse
Rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus' words
As the rooster crowed for the second time, Peter suddenly remembered Jesus' specific prophecy about his denial, triggering deep remorse.
Night of Jesus' arrest
Peter weeps in repentance
Overwhelmed by grief and repentance, Peter broke down and wept bitterly, realizing the depth of his failure.
This verse immediately follows Peter's denials and describes the Lord turning to look at Peter, highlighting the direct connection between Jesus's awareness and Peter's deep sorrow.
John 13:38This passage shows Jesus directly telling Peter he will deny Him three times before the rooster crows, emphasizing Jesus's foreknowledge and the fulfillment of His word.
Matthew 26:75This parallel account from Matthew also depicts Peter remembering Jesus's words and weeping, reinforcing the significance of this moment of brokenness and repentance.
2 Corinthians 7:10This verse speaks of godly sorrow leading to repentance and salvation, a concept that perfectly describes the nature of Peter's weeping – not despair, but a turning back to God.
pulpitMark 14:72: "And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept."
Verse 72. - And when he thought thereon, he wept (καὶ ἐπὶβαλὼν ἔκλαιε, not ἔκλαυςε,). The word implies a long and continued weeping. This concludes the preliminary trial, the whole proceedings of which were illegal.
cambridgeMark 14:72: "And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept."
72 . And Peter called to mind ] That glance of sorrow went straight to the Apostle’s heart; all that his Lord had said, all His repeated warnings rushed back to his remembrance, and lit up the darkness of his soul. He could contain himself no longer, and when he thought thereon ] for so we have r…
What's easy to miss is the active nature of Peter's weeping. The original Greek word suggests he "burst into tears" or even "threw himself down weeping," indicating a sudden, overwhelming flood of grief that consumed him, not a quiet moment of reflection. This wasn't just remembering; it was the dam breaking, revealing the depth of his betrayal and sorrow.
As Peter is being interrogated and denying Jesus for the third time, the rooster crows again, piercing the night. This second crow jolts Peter as he vividly remembers Jesus’ prophecy that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice, leading to his breakdown and weeping. This moment of profound realization and regret concludes the immediate events of Jesus' unjust preliminary trial.
As Peter is being interrogated and denying Jesus for the third time, the rooster crows again, piercing the night. This second crow jolts Peter as he vividly remembers Jesus’ prophecy that he would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed twice, leading to his breakdown and weeping. This moment of profound realization and regret concludes the immediate events of Jesus' unjust preliminary trial.
"And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept." — What's easy to miss is the active nature of Peter's weeping. The original Greek word suggests he "burst into tears" or even "threw himself down weeping," indicating a sudden, overwhelming flood of…
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Last reviewed October 2026