Bible Strands
Matthew 26:75
Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter, having just denied Jesus three times and heard the rooster crow, recalls Jesus' earlier prediction. This occurs immediately after Peter's third denial in the courtyard of the high priest.
The words — The Greek verb ἐμνὴσθη (emnēsthē) literally means "he remembered," marking the moment Peter recalls τοῦ ῥήματος τοῦ Ἰησοῦ (tou rhēmatos tou Iēsou), "the declaration of Jesus." This recall follows the immediate crowing of the rooster.
The thread — Jesus repeats this prediction in Matthew 26:34, while Luke 22:31 frames the event within Satan's request to sift Peter like wheat. Paul later parallels Peter's failure with the inability of the flesh to fulfill good desires in Romans 7:18.
Why it lands — The text records Peter's bitter weeping as a direct response to his failed denial, not as a statement of redemption. It requires the reader to acknowledge the gap between human resolve and actual conduct.
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 Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
Cross-references
- Matthew 26:34 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”
- Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh; for I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
- Luke 22:31 Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you like wheat.
- 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.
- Luke 22:61 And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”
- Matthew 27:3 When Judas, who had betrayed Him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was filled with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.
- Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- 1 Corinthians 4:7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
- 1 Peter 1:5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power for the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.