Matthew 26:34
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Original Language Analysis
αὐτῷ
unto him
G846
αὐτῷ
unto him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
2 of 18
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
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
4 of 18
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Ἀμὴν
Verily
G281
Ἀμὴν
Verily
Strong's:
G281
Word #:
5 of 18
properly, firm, i.e., (figuratively) trustworthy; adverbially, surely (often as interjection, so be it)
λέγω
I say
G3004
λέγω
I say
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
6 of 18
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
ὅτι
That
G3754
ὅτι
That
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 18
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
ταύτῃ
G3778
ταύτῃ
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
10 of 18
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
τῇ
G3588
τῇ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φωνῆσαι
crow
G5455
φωνῆσαι
crow
Strong's:
G5455
Word #:
15 of 18
to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation
Cross References
John 13:38Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.Luke 22:34And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.Matthew 26:75And 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.
Historical Context
Roman timekeeping divided night into four watches; the third watch (midnight-3 AM) was called 'cockcrow' (Mark 13:35). Roosters crowing at dawn was common in Jerusalem despite being within city walls. Jesus's specific prediction—within hours, before sunrise, three times—made the prophecy unmistakably verifiable and unforgettable.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's specific foreknowledge of Peter's denial demonstrate both divine omniscience and personal care?
- What does Christ's prediction-despite-certainty-of-restoration teach about God's view of your failures?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice (ἐν ταύτῃ τῇ νυκτὶ πρὶν ἀλέκτορα φωνῆσαι τρὶς ἀπαρνήσῃ με, en tautē tē nykti prin alektora phōnēsai tris aparnēsē me)—Jesus provides devastating specificity: this night (within hours), before the cock crow (typically 3-4 AM, the third watch), thrice (three separate denials). The verb aparneomai means 'to deny utterly, disown, renounce.'
Jesus's precision underscores divine foreknowledge and Peter's self-deception. The cock's crow would become Peter's conscience, driving him to weep bitterly (v. 75). Yet Christ already knows Peter's restoration (Luke 22:32, John 21:15-19). This foreknowledge doesn't cause Peter's denial but reveals Christ's omniscience and redemptive purpose.