Luke 22 34

Luke 22:34 kjv

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Luke 22:34 nkjv

Then He said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me."

Luke 22:34 niv

Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

Luke 22:34 esv

Jesus said, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me."

Luke 22:34 nlt

But Jesus said, "Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me."

Luke 22 verses

Luke 22 34 Meaning

This verse is Jesus' direct prophecy to Peter, immediately after Peter’s vehement assertion of loyalty. Jesus foretells that before the natural timing of a rooster crowing that day, Peter would three times disown Him, denying any acquaintance. It underscores Jesus’ divine foreknowledge and serves as a stark warning against self-confidence, predicting Peter's significant failure despite his sincere intentions.

Luke 22 34 Context

Luke 22:34 is situated within the events of the Last Supper, immediately after Jesus' discourse with His disciples, particularly Peter. The disciples had just engaged in a dispute about who was the greatest (Lk 22:24-30), which Jesus resolved by re-emphasizing servant leadership. Jesus then addresses Simon Peter specifically, revealing that Satan has desired to "sift him as wheat" (Lk 22:31) but assuring him of His prayer and a future role in strengthening his brethren. Peter, perhaps puffed up by this special attention or simply filled with genuine but naive devotion, boldly declares his readiness to go to prison and even death with Jesus (Lk 22:33). It is in response to this zealous yet ill-founded confidence that Jesus delivers this prophetic warning, setting the stage for Peter's humbling fall and subsequent spiritual transformation. The verse underscores the stark contrast between Peter's fervent boast and his imminent, humiliating failure.

Luke 22 34 Word analysis

• And He said: (καὶ εἶπεν – kai eipen) – Indicates a direct and solemn declaration by Jesus, a crucial teaching moment rather than a casual remark. It highlights His authoritative voice in response to Peter’s earnest, yet misinformed, self-assurance.
• I tell you: (Λέγω σοι – Legō soi) – "Legō" implies a strong, emphatic declaration, not just a casual statement. "Soi" is singular "to you," indicating this is a personal, specific address to Peter, directly countering his earlier confident vow. This phrasing often introduces significant prophetic or revelatory statements from Jesus.
• Peter: (Πέτρε – Petre) – Addressing Peter by name (Simon, son of Jonah, whose nickname is Peter, meaning "rock"). This personal address emphasizes the directness and the specific, tragic relevance of the prophecy to him. Ironically, "rock" will show profound instability in this moment.
• a rooster: (ἀλέκτωρ – alektōr) – Refers to a male chicken. This is a common and natural timepiece in ancient agrarian societies, signaling the dawn, typically around 3 AM to the start of day's light. It sets a specific, albeit symbolic, timeframe for Peter’s denials.
• will not crow: (οὐ φωνήσει – ou phōnēsei) – "Phōnēsei" means "will utter a sound" or "will crow." The negation "ou" highlights that this event (the crowing) will not occur until after Peter's denials. The precise timing here varies slightly in the Gospel accounts (Mk 14:30 adds "twice"), but the core message remains.
• today: (σήμερον – sēmeron) – This word signifies the very same calendar day on which Jesus is speaking, the night of the Passover Seder and Jesus' arrest. It emphasizes the immediacy and short timeframe for the fulfillment of the prophecy, intensifying its impact.
• until you have denied Me: (ἕως τρίς με ἀπαρνήσῃ – heōs tris me aparnēsē) – "Heōs" means "until." "Aparnēsē" is a strong word meaning "to deny, reject, disown completely." It implies a thorough renunciation, more than just a momentary lapse. This emphasizes the gravity of Peter’s impending actions.
• three times: (τρίς – tris) – The specific number of denials. This tripartite denial holds significance in ancient cultures (e.g., oath-taking, establishing testimony). It highlights a complete, distinct series of renunciations. Later, Jesus' threefold restoration of Peter (John 21) stands as a counterpart, undoing the three denials.
• that you do not know Me: (μὴ εἰδέναι με – mē eidenai me) – "Eidenai" means "to know" or "to perceive," used here as a perfect infinitive. Coupled with the negative "mē" (not), it implies Peter will deny personal acquaintance or recognition of Jesus, not just that he wasn't associated with Him. This deepens the nature of the betrayal; it is a denial of a personal relationship.

Words-group analysis:

• "I tell you, Peter, a rooster will not crow today": This opening phrase asserts Jesus’ prophetic authority and Peter’s vulnerability. It establishes the immediate time frame for Peter’s fall, countering Peter’s overly confident claim (Lk 22:33) with a sobering truth.
• "until you have denied Me three times that you do not know Me": This core prophetic statement details the nature, frequency, and severity of Peter's betrayal. The three denials signify a complete rejection, while denying "not knowing" Jesus suggests a disowning of their very relationship, going beyond mere circumstantial denial to a deliberate act of severance, driven by fear. This highlights Peter’s humanity and vulnerability, serving as a powerful lesson for all believers against spiritual pride and underestimating one's own weaknesses in the face of temptation.

Luke 22 34 Bonus section

The prediction in Luke 22:34, along with its parallels, highlights a key theological point: Jesus' complete sovereignty and divine foreknowledge are intertwined with human freedom and accountability. Peter freely chose to deny Jesus, yet Jesus knew and declared it beforehand. This is not predetermination negating free will but rather God's perfect knowledge encompassing human choices. The variations in the synoptic accounts (e.g., Mark mentioning "twice") often highlight different literary or thematic emphases of the Gospel writers while confirming the central event. Some interpretations suggest the "rooster crowing" may refer not just to the bird but also to a trumpet call of the Roman "cohor Gallicana" (Gallican Guard), sounding around 3 AM at the third watch, though the natural crow of a rooster is more commonly accepted for its widespread cultural recognition and literal fulfillment. This prophecy deeply impacted Peter's identity, stripping away his self-righteousness and preparing him for a deeper, more humble leadership as evidenced in the Book of Acts.

Luke 22 34 Commentary

Luke 22:34 is a poignant moment, revealing Jesus’ divine omniscience and His profound insight into the human heart. It directly counters Peter’s sincere but misguided declaration of unwavering loyalty (Lk 22:33) with a harsh dose of reality. The specific details – the rooster’s crowing (a common time marker, signifying dawn), the immediacy ("today"), and the precise number ("three times") of denials of knowing Jesus – underline the absolute certainty of Jesus’ prophecy. This forewarning is not just a prediction of failure but an act of grace; it prepares Peter for what is to come, setting the stage for his subsequent deep repentance and ultimately, restoration, as implicitly seen in Jesus' earlier prayer for Peter's faith not to fail (Lk 22:32). The contrast between Peter’s overconfidence and his inevitable collapse serves as a perpetual lesson on humility and reliance on God's strength, not one's own. It reminds believers that true faithfulness comes from understanding one’s own frailty and Christ’s steadfast love and intercession, even through our deepest failures.