Peter’s Triple Denial Series

And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. (Luke 22:60)

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. (Matthew 26:74)

And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. (Mark 14:70)

But he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. (Mark 14:71)

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. (John 18:27)

This time Peter not only denies that he is a disciple of Christ, but that he knows anything about him: "Man, I know not what thou sayest; I never heard of this Jesus.’’ A comparison of the Gospel accounts shows that some people are talking to Peter and some are talking about him. Accusations are flying in from every direction. This is enough to get anyone excited, especially excitable Simon! He answers, “Man, I know not what thou sayest.” Peter not only denied that he knew Jesus but as Matthew wrote He began to curse and swear. He must have said something like, “May God do this or that to me if it is true that I am or ever was a disciple of Jesus.” He stands there invoking on Himself One curse upon another. And the louder this Galilean talks, the more, without realizing it, He is saying to all those standing around, “I am a Liar.”

What happened next was probably this: Jesus, His night trial ended, was being led across the court to His prison cell, from which in a few hours He would be led once more before the Sanhedrin.

The cock crew just as he was denying that he knew Christ, for the third time. There is some difference of opinion over what is meant by the cock crew. First, it may be as simple as a rooster crowed. I think this is what happened, God who can control any creature made the rooster crow at this exact time. Second, some believe it could refer to the night watches, which were set up for security reasons. The change in personnel on a watch was announced by a loud sound. There were two “cockcrowings,” one after midnight, the other before dawn. This was the Roman method of dividing the night, but it was also how the Jews did it.

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 (three times). (Luke 22:61)

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. (Matthew 26:75)

And the Lord turned, and [TL11]looked upon Peter with eyes full of pain. This was one of Peter’s lowest points. He had publicly denied Christ three times. Later, Christ made Peter publicly confess three times that he loved his Lord ( [4]John 21:15–19).

This short event is not mentioned by the other evangelists, but it is a very remarkable one. Christ is here called the Lord, for there is a great deal of power and grace involved with the actions of our Lord. Although Christ now had his back turned to Peter, and was occupied with his trial (when one would think, he had nothing else on His mind), yet he knew all that Peter said. Note, Christ takes more notice of what we say and do than we think he does.