Mark 14 72

Mark 14:72 kjv

And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept.

Mark 14:72 nkjv

A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times." And when he thought about it, he wept.

Mark 14:72 niv

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times." And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:72 esv

And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14:72 nlt

And immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Suddenly, Jesus' words flashed through Peter's mind: "Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me." And he broke down and wept.

Mark 14 verses

Mark 14 72 Meaning

Mark 14:72 captures the pivotal moment of Peter's profound realization and remorse after denying Jesus. Immediately following his third denial, the rooster crows a second time, triggering Peter's remembrance of Jesus' precise prophecy. This verse marks the agonizing fulfillment of that prophecy, causing Peter immense grief, signified by his intense weeping and emotional breakdown. It is the culminating point of his human failure and the onset of a transformative repentance.

Mark 14 72 Context

Mark 14:72 takes place in the courtyard of the High Priest, Caiaphas, on the night Jesus was illegally tried by the Sanhedrin. Jesus had been arrested and led away, and Peter, along with other disciples, had followed at a distance. As Jesus was facing His accusers inside, Peter was questioned three separate times by different people about his association with Jesus. Despite Peter's earlier fervent pledge to never abandon Jesus, he vehemently denied knowing Him each time. This verse directly follows Peter's third and most emphatic denial, wherein he cursed and swore he did not know Jesus. The crowing of the rooster serves as the precise, prophetic signal that awakens Peter to the horror of his betrayal and the profound accuracy of Jesus' earlier warning. It marks a moment of intense, painful personal revelation amidst the dark hour of Jesus' crucifixion narrative.

Mark 14 72 Word analysis

• And immediately: καὶ εὐθὺς (kai euthys). This phrase is characteristic of Mark's Gospel, highlighting urgency and suddenness. It underscores the instant correlation between the rooster's crow and Peter's realization, signifying an abrupt and overwhelming impact on Peter's consciousness.
• a rooster crowed: ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν (alektōr ephōnēsen). The sound of a rooster was a common part of ancient life, and its crowing marked divisions of the night (e.g., "cockcrow," the fourth watch, 3-6 AM). It was an undeniable, natural occurrence fulfilling a supernatural prophecy.
• a second time: ἐκ δευτέρου (ek deuterou). This specific detail is unique to Mark's Gospel account of the prophecy and its fulfillment. It emphasizes Jesus' precise foreknowledge and the exactness with which the prophecy unfolded, adding to Peter's profound shock.
• And Peter remembered: καὶ ἀνεμνήσθη ὁ Πέτρος (kai anemnēsthē ho Petros). Anemnēsthē denotes not just a casual recall, but a forceful, almost painful recollection, a sudden rush of memory hitting him. It implies a moment of profound recognition of his failure against the backdrop of Jesus' omniscient warning.
• the word Jesus had spoken to him: τοῦ ῥήματος οὗ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς (tou rhēmatos hou elalēsen autō ho Iēsous). Rhema signifies a specific utterance or saying, emphasizing the definite, prophetic nature of Jesus' prior statement. This was not a mere prediction but a divinely authoritative declaration.
• 'Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.': This direct quote from Mark 14:30 confirms the meticulous fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy. It reminds the reader of Peter's earlier confidence and his subsequent devastating failure, intensifying the scene's emotional weight.
• And he broke down and wept: καὶ ἐπιβαλὼν ἔκλαιεν (kai epibalōn eklaien). This phrase carries significant interpretive weight. Epibalōn (from epiballō) can mean "to throw over," "to cast upon," "to lay hold of," or, in context, is understood to mean "to begin intensely" or "burst out" in an action. While some suggest it means Peter went "outside" or "covered himself," scholarly consensus leans towards conveying the intensity and immediate outburst of his sorrow. The imperfect tense ἔκλαιεν (eklaien) implies a sustained, continuous action of weeping, denoting deep and consuming remorse. It describes a complete emotional collapse, signifying Peter's crushing realization of his sin and betrayal.

Mark 14 72 Bonus section

The specific detail in Mark's Gospel that the rooster crowed "a second time" (unlike Matthew, Luke, and John, which often describe a single crowing event at dawn) highlights Mark's focus on precise fulfillment. Some scholars suggest "cockcrow" historically referred to the entire period from midnight to 3 AM, or to specific watch changes. Regardless of the exact interpretation, Mark's account underlines Jesus' meticulous prophecy concerning Peter, signifying its unquestionable veracity. This painful memory became indelibly etched in Peter's consciousness, not as a source of paralyzing shame, but as a crucible that refined his faith. His fall served to deepen his understanding of human frailty, the severity of sin, and the immense, unfathomable grace of Christ, preparing him to be a compassionate leader who could empathize with the struggles of others.

Mark 14 72 Commentary

Mark 14:72 encapsulates the tragic yet crucial turning point for Peter. It is a moment of raw human failure, perfectly contrasted with divine foreknowledge. The seemingly trivial sound of a rooster crowing becomes the catalyst for Peter's painful enlightenment, as it triggers the vivid recall of Jesus' precise prophecy. The repetition of "twice" in Mark's account emphasizes the irrefutable accuracy of Jesus' words, leaving no doubt about Peter's direct defiance of his Lord.

Peter's reaction—he "broke down and wept"—reveals a deep, overwhelming sorrow that goes beyond mere regret. This profound remorse is not worldly despair but a godly grief that initiates genuine repentance. It's the stark realization of his betrayal, his spiritual weakness, and the gravity of denying his Lord even as Jesus faced His trial. This intense weeping is a crucial step towards his eventual restoration and strengthens his future ministry, reminding us that even the greatest saints can stumble, but true faith leads to brokenness and return. Peter's profound fall becomes a powerful testament to the forgiving grace of Christ and the transformative power of repentance, demonstrating that brokenness can precede great strength.