Bible Strands
Luke 22:34
But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus speaks to Peter immediately after Peter vows readiness to face prison and death with Him. This declaration occurs during the Last Supper narrative, directly following Peter's claim of unwavering loyalty.
The words — λέγω (legō) = "I tell" [G3004]; οὐ (ou) = "certainly" [G3756]. The text uses these terms to frame an unchangeable prediction rather than a conditional warning.
The thread — This prediction runs through the Synoptic Gospels and John, recorded in Matthew 26:34, Mark 14:30, and John 13:38. Each account confirms Jesus foretold the threefold denial before the rooster crows.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that human resolve cannot override divine foresight. It demands a clear-eyed assessment of the gap between stated loyalty and actual failure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
Cross-references
- John 13:38 “Will you lay down your life for Me?” Jesus replied. “Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.
- Matthew 26:34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
- Mark 14:30 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
- Matthew 26:74 At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.
- Mark 14:71 But he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this man of whom you speak!”
- John 18:27 Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.