Luke Chapter 22 · Verse 61
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
στραφεὶς
turned
G4762
στραφεὶς
turned
Strong's:
G4762
Word #:
2 of 25
to twist, i.e., turn quite around or reverse (literally or figuratively)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
4 of 25
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ἐνέβλεψεν
and looked upon
G1689
ἐνέβλεψεν
and looked upon
Strong's:
G1689
Word #:
5 of 25
to look on, i.e., (relatively) to observe fixedly, or (absolutely) to discern clearly
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
6 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
7 of 25
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 25
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὑπεμνήσθη
remembered
G5279
ὑπεμνήσθη
remembered
Strong's:
G5279
Word #:
9 of 25
to remind quietly, i.e., suggest to the (middle voice, one's own) memory
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
11 of 25
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λόγου
the word
G3056
λόγου
the word
Strong's:
G3056
Word #:
13 of 25
something said (including the thought); by implication, a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 25
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
15 of 25
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
ὡς
how
G5613
ὡς
how
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
16 of 25
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
18 of 25
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ὅτι
Before
G3754
ὅτι
Before
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
19 of 25
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
φωνῆσαι
crow
G5455
φωνῆσαι
crow
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
22 of 25
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
Historical Context
For Jesus to 'turn and look' at Peter suggests visibility between interrogation area and courtyard. Archaeological discoveries at Jerusalem reveal homes with open courtyards visible from interior rooms. Early church tradition held that this look of Jesus haunted and healed Peter for life. It led to immediate repentance (v. 62), eventual restoration (John 21), and decades of faithful ministry ending in martyrdom. Church historians record Peter was crucified upside down in Rome (c. 64-68 AD), requesting that position because he felt unworthy to die like his Lord.
Questions for Reflection
- What did Jesus communicate in that wordless look across the courtyard?
- How does Jesus' look combine both grief over Peter's sin and love for Peter's soul?
- What does Peter's remembering Jesus' words teach about Scripture's role in repentance?
Analysis & Commentary
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. This verse contains one of Scripture's most powerful moments: ho kyrios strapheis eneblepsen tō Petrō (ὁ κύριος στραφεὶς ἐνέβλεψεν τῷ Πέτρῳ, 'the Lord having turned, looked at Peter'). Jesus, in custody, being moved from one area to another, sees Peter across the courtyard. The verb emblepō (ἐμβλέπω) means penetrating gaze, not casual glance. No words pass, yet volumes communicate. This is not angry condemnation but sorrowful love—the look that breaks and heals simultaneously.
That look triggered memory: hypemnēsthē ho Petros tou rhēmatos tou kyriou (ὑπεμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος τοῦ ῥήματος τοῦ κυρίου, 'Peter remembered the word of the Lord'). The verb hypomimnēskō (ὑπομιμνῄσκω) means to call to mind, remind forcefully. Jesus' prediction floods back: 'Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.' Peter's arrogant protest—'I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death' (v. 33)—now mocks him. Jesus knew Peter better than Peter knew himself. The Lord's look says: 'I told you this would happen. I know you completely. And I love you still.'