John 18 27

John 18:27 kjv

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

John 18:27 nkjv

Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

John 18:27 niv

Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.

John 18:27 esv

Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

John 18:27 nlt

Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.

John 18 verses

John 18 27 Meaning

John 18:27 concisely narrates the culmination of Peter's threefold denial of Jesus, precisely as Jesus had prophesied. Following Peter's third and definitive denial of knowing Jesus, the distinct crowing of a rooster occurred instantaneously, serving as an audible, divine confirmation that Jesus' words concerning Peter's impending betrayal were true and had just been fulfilled. This event marks Peter's profound human failure, directly contrasting with his earlier boasts of loyalty and willingness to die for Christ, and highlights the precise and unfailing nature of Christ's prophetic knowledge.

John 18 27 Context

This verse is situated within a tumultuous night of Jesus' betrayal, arrest, and initial interrogation. Following Jesus' apprehension in the Garden of Gethsemane, He is first taken to Annas, the former high priest and father-in-law to the current high priest, Caiaphas (Jn 18:13-14). Peter, despite his initial boastful claim of unwavering loyalty (Jn 13:37-38), follows from a distance and manages to gain entry into the high priest's courtyard (Jn 18:15-16). While Jesus endures a preliminary, unlawful interrogation inside, Peter succumbs to fear and repeatedly denies any association with Jesus. His first denial is to a doorkeeper, the second to "them" (v. 25) who challenged his identity as one of Jesus' disciples. The third denial (v. 27) comes specifically in response to a relative of the man whose ear Peter had just cut off in Gethsemane. Each denial marks a deeper plunge into faithlessness under pressure. Historically, rooster crowing was also linked to Roman night watches (known as the gallicinium, the third watch, from midnight to 3 AM), making it a natural, yet divinely significant, marker of time in this context. The rapid succession of denials, culminating with the rooster's crow, underscores the precision of Jesus' earlier prediction and the swiftness of its fulfillment.

John 18 27 Word analysis

• Then (Οὖν - Oun): This Greek conjunction indicates a sequence of events or a logical consequence, tying Peter's final denial directly to the previous exchange and setting the stage for the prophecy's fulfillment.
• Peter (Πέτρος - Petros): The very name "rock" or "stone," bestowed by Jesus, ironically highlights his momentary instability and profound fall from the faith he once so boldly confessed (Mt 16:18). It underscores the deep pathos of the moment.
• denied (ἠρνήσατο - ērnēsato): A strong Greek word meaning "to disown, repudiate, reject, say no to." The aorist tense indicates a completed, definite action. It signifies an emphatic disavowal, not merely an evasion.
• again (πάλιν - palin): This adverb emphasizes the repetition, marking this as the third instance in quick succession, sealing the prophecy of Jesus that he would deny three times. It conveys finality to this sequence of denials.
• and immediately (καὶ εὐθέως - kai eutheōs): The conjunction "and" links the denial with the crowing, while "immediately" or "at once" emphasizes the synchronicity and instantaneous nature of the fulfillment. This vivid detail underscores the precise, providential timing.
• a rooster (ἀλέκτωρ - alektōr): A common fowl, its crowing here is not symbolic of the bird itself, but rather functions as the precise, pre-arranged signal. It signifies a natural, everyday event infused with divine, prophetic meaning.
• crowed (ἐφώνησεν - ephōnēsen): Derived from φωνέω (phōneō), meaning "to sound, to speak, to utter a cry." Here, specifically of a bird's crow. Like "denied," it is an aorist verb, marking a definitive, completed action.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• Then Peter denied again: This phrase confirms the pattern and finality of Peter's failure. It highlights the deeply personal aspect of this denial – not just any disciple, but "Peter," the proclaimed "rock," has stumbled, marking a dramatic contrast to his prior declarations of absolute loyalty and courage. His repeated action completes the prophetic sequence.
• and immediately a rooster crowed: This clause conveys the perfect and inescapable fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. The immediacy signifies God's active involvement and precise orchestration of events, using a common, natural occurrence as a clear, audible sign. This sudden sound acts as a jarring spiritual alarm for Peter, connecting directly to his internal state and remembrance of Jesus' words.

John 18 27 Bonus section

The Jewish law stipulated that the testimony of two or three witnesses was required for conviction (Dt 17:6). Ironically, Peter's three denials become his own form of "witness" against Jesus, disavowing his master just as others were bearing false witness against Him. While John focuses on the sequence and fulfillment, the other Gospels, particularly Luke, add the detail of Jesus turning and looking at Peter right after the crowing (Lk 22:61), a silent gaze that undoubtedly pierced Peter's soul and led him to weep bitterly. This unspoken communication profoundly moved Peter from mere recognition of his failure to heartfelt contrition. Furthermore, some ancient interpretations link the rooster's crow with a natural time-marker rather than the "daylight" crow, signifying the end of the Roman third watch (gallicinium, midnight-3 AM). This temporal detail, well understood by the original audience, would have underscored the urgency and lateness of the hour, adding to the somber atmosphere of Jesus' trial and Peter's dramatic downfall. Peter's later ministry, especially his Pentecost sermon (Acts 2), stands in stark contrast to this night of denial, showcasing the transformative power of repentance and the Holy Spirit, building a church on the very 'rock' who stumbled but was then firmly re-established by Christ.

John 18 27 Commentary

John 18:27 is a pivotal verse, encapsulating the dramatic and painful climax of Peter's fall and the unassailable truth of Jesus' divine foresight. It underscores profound theological and human lessons. Firstly, it showcases human weakness under pressure; even Peter, chosen and confident, was not immune to fear and the desire for self-preservation. His threefold denial, directly after Jesus' arrest, highlights the fragility of unrooted faith. Secondly, it is a powerful demonstration of Jesus' omniscience and prophetic accuracy. His words in John 13:38 are fulfilled with stunning precision – not just the denial, but the three denials, and the immediacy of the rooster's crow as the definitive sign. This event affirms Jesus as a true prophet, whose every word holds divine authority and cannot be thwarted. For Peter, the crowing was a jarring reminder, a literal alarm bell that surely brought a flood of shame and sorrow (Lk 22:61-62). Yet, it was also the first step on his path to deep repentance and subsequent restoration, famously seen in John 21. The scene serves as a timeless reminder that while human failure is inevitable, God's plan is unwavering, and His grace extends even to those who betray Him.

Examples:

• The verse exemplifies how personal failures, though painful, can be foreseen by God and are part of a larger redemptive narrative, leading to a deeper dependence on His grace.
• It illustrates that true prophecy is marked by precise and complete fulfillment, even down to the smallest detail like a rooster's crow.