Mark 14:30

KJV

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, [even] in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Jesus {G2424} saith {G3004} unto him {G846}, Verily {G281} I say {G3004} unto thee {G4671}, That {G3754} this day {G4594}, even in {G1722} this {G5026} night {G3571}, before {G4250}{G2228} the cock {G220} crow {G5455} twice {G1364}, thou shalt deny {G533} me {G3165} thrice {G5151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Yeshua replied, "Yes! I tell you that this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will disown me three times!"

Berean Standard Bible

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

American Standard Version

And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that thou to-day, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 14:30 presents Jesus' solemn and precise prophecy to Peter, foretelling his emphatic threefold denial before the rooster's double crow. This declaration immediately follows Peter's fervent, yet ultimately overconfident, pledge of unwavering loyalty, revealing Jesus' divine foreknowledge of human frailty and the inevitable unfolding of the Passion narrative. It serves as a stark and poignant reminder of the unpredictable nature of faith under intense pressure and the profound accuracy of Christ's prophetic words.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the deeply solemn and pivotal moments leading up to Jesus' arrest and crucifixion. It immediately follows the Last Supper and the institution of the new covenant, as Jesus and His disciples have moved to the Mount of Olives. Peter's bold, yet ultimately fragile, boast of unwavering loyalty in [Mark 14:29](/mark/14-29 "Peter's Declaration of Loyalty") directly precedes Jesus' prophetic response, setting up a dramatic contrast. The subsequent narrative details Jesus' agony in [Gethsemane](/mark/14-32-42 "Jesus' Agony in Gethsemane") and His arrest, culminating in Peter's precise fulfillment of this prophecy later that night in [Mark 14:66-72](/mark/14-66-72 "Peter's Denial and Its Fulfillment"), highlighting the profound irony and Peter's subsequent despair.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting on the Mount of Olives, a familiar retreat for Jesus and His disciples outside Jerusalem, was particularly significant during the Passover season. The mention of the "cock crow" refers to the literal crowing of a rooster, a common and natural sound in ancient Palestine, especially in the early morning hours, signaling the approach of dawn. While some scholars have debated whether it refers to a specific Roman "cock-crow" watch, the immediate context of Peter's experience and the dramatic impact of the sound strongly suggest a literal rooster. The Passover itself, with its themes of liberation, sacrifice, and covenant, provides a poignant backdrop for the impending betrayal and the ultimate sacrifice of the true Lamb of God.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 14:30 profoundly contributes to several key themes within Mark's Gospel. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Foreknowledge**, demonstrating Jesus' absolute omniscience regarding future events, including the specific details of Peter's impending failure. This highlights Jesus' divine authority and sovereign control, even as human weakness unfolds. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Human Frailty and the Danger of Overconfidence**, serving as a stark contrast to Peter's earlier fervent declaration. Peter's denial, despite his sincere intentions, exemplifies the vulnerability of even the most devoted disciples when faced with extreme pressure, a theme echoed in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Pride Goes Before a Fall"). Lastly, it emphasizes the **Reliability of Prophecy**, as Jesus' words are fulfilled with chilling precision later that night, reinforcing the trustworthiness of God's word and the unfolding of His sovereign plan, as seen in [Mark 14:72](/mark/14-72 "The Fulfillment of Peter's Denial").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Verily (Greek, _amḗn'_):** This adverb, derived from Hebrew, signifies absolute truth and certainty. When Jesus uses "Amen, I say to you," it functions as a solemn affirmation, emphasizing the unerring accuracy and divine authority of His pronouncement. It elevates the statement from a mere prediction to an unalterable, divinely decreed truth.
* **twice (Greek, _dís'_):** An adverb meaning "two times." This specific detail is unique to Mark's Gospel and adds a layer of precision and dramatic irony to Jesus' prophecy. It ensures that Peter would have no doubt about the fulfillment, as the second crow would serve as an unmistakable and final sign of his complete failure to uphold his earlier boast.
* **deny (Greek, _aparnéomai'_):** From _apó_ (from) and _arnéomai_ (to deny). It means to "deny utterly," "disown," or "abstain from." This strong verb indicates a complete repudiation or renunciation, not merely a casual disagreement. For Peter, it meant disowning his association with Jesus, especially under duress and fear.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee":** This opening establishes the divine authority and absolute certainty of Jesus' words. The use of "Verily" (Amen) signals a profound and unshakeable truth, directly addressing Peter's earlier fervent, yet ultimately misguided, boast of loyalty.
* **"That this day, even in this night":** Jesus specifies the immediate timeframe for the prophecy's fulfillment. The denial will not occur in the distant future, but within the very same day and night cycle, underscoring the imminence of the events and the rapid, inescapable unfolding of the Passion narrative.
* **"before the cock crow twice":** This is the precise, unique detail found in Mark's Gospel. It provides a specific, audible, and undeniable marker for the timing of Peter's betrayal, ensuring that Peter would recognize the fulfillment when it occurred. The "twice" emphasizes the finality and completeness of the denial's context.
* **"thou shalt deny me thrice":** This is the core prophecy: Peter, despite his fervent declarations of loyalty, will disown Jesus three separate times. The number "thrice" (three times) signifies a complete and decisive repudiation, mirroring the completeness of his denial in the eyes of his accusers and himself.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 14:30 employs several powerful literary devices that enhance its dramatic and theological impact. **Foreshadowing** is central, as Jesus' prophecy explicitly prefigures Peter's future actions, building intense dramatic tension and highlighting Jesus' divine omniscience. The stark contrast between Peter's confident boast in [Mark 14:29](/mark/14-29 "Peter's Bold Declaration of Loyalty") and Jesus' precise prediction creates profound **Irony**, emphasizing the vast chasm between human intention and human frailty. The specific detail of the "cock crow twice" functions as a potent **Symbolism**, serving as an undeniable, audible sign of Peter's failure and the precise fulfillment of prophecy. This detail also adds to the narrative's **Realism**, grounding the divine prophecy in the mundane sounds of daily life, making the eventual fulfillment all the more impactful and inescapable for Peter.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Mark 14:30 profoundly illustrates the tension between divine sovereignty and human free will, revealing that God's foreknowledge does not negate human responsibility. Jesus knows Peter's impending failure, yet Peter remains accountable for his choices. This prophecy also highlights the depth of Jesus' compassion, as He understands Peter's weakness even before it manifests, setting the stage for Peter's later restoration. It underscores the theme of spiritual vigilance, contrasting Peter's overconfidence with Jesus' call to prayer and watchfulness in Gethsemane, reminding us that true strength comes from dependence on God, not self-reliance.

* [Matthew 26:34](/matthew/26-34 "Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial in Matthew")
* [Luke 22:34](/luke/22-34 "Jesus' Prophecy to Peter in Luke")
* [John 13:38](/john/13-38 "Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial in John")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 14:30 offers a sobering yet ultimately hopeful reflection for believers. It challenges us to examine our own hearts, warning against the spiritual danger of overconfidence and self-reliance. Like Peter, we may genuinely intend to follow Christ faithfully, but without a deep reliance on God's strength and grace, our resolve can falter under pressure. This passage calls us to cultivate humility, recognizing our inherent weaknesses and the constant need for divine help. It reminds us that true spiritual strength is not found in our own boasts, but in abiding in Christ and acknowledging our dependence on Him. Furthermore, Peter's story, beginning with this prophecy and culminating in his restoration, assures us that even profound failures do not disqualify us from God's grace and purpose, provided we turn back to Him in sincere repentance and faith. It is a powerful testament to God's unwavering love and His ability to redeem even our deepest shortcomings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where in my life might I be relying on my own strength or confidence rather than on God's grace?**
* **How does Jesus' foreknowledge of Peter's denial, yet His continued love for him, speak to God's understanding of my own weaknesses?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater humility and dependence on Christ in my daily walk, especially when facing temptation or pressure?**

### FAQ
**Why does Mark's Gospel specifically mention the cock crowing "twice," while other Gospels only mention it once?**

Answer: Mark's Gospel, often considered to be based on Peter's eyewitness account and known for its vivid, detailed narrative, provides this unique and precise detail of the cock crowing "twice." While Matthew [Matthew 26:34](/matthew/26-34 "Matthew 26:34 - Peter's Denial Foretold"), Luke [Luke 22:34](/luke/22-34 "Luke 22:34 - Peter's Denial Prophecy"), and John [John 13:38](/john/13-38 "John 13:38 - Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial") mention a single crowing, Mark's account is more specific. This specificity likely serves to underscore the undeniable accuracy of Jesus' prophecy for Peter himself, making the fulfillment in [Mark 14:72](/mark/14-72 "Mark 14:72 - Peter's Denial Fulfilled") even more poignant and undeniable. It may also reflect a common understanding of rooster behavior, where an initial crow is often followed by a second, more definitive one, or it could simply be Peter's vivid and precise recollection of the sequence of events that night, emphasizing the profound impact it had on him.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Mark 14:30 focuses on Peter's impending failure, it profoundly points to Christ's divine nature and His ultimate redemptive work. Jesus' precise foreknowledge of Peter's denial, down to the number of times and the specific timing of the rooster's crow, unequivocally demonstrates His omniscience and sovereign control over all events, even human weakness and betrayal. This prophecy, therefore, is not merely a prediction of failure but a powerful affirmation of Jesus' identity as the Son of God, who knows all things, from the beginning to the end ([Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "God Declares the End from the Beginning")). Furthermore, Jesus' willingness to allow Peter's denial, knowing He would later restore him ([John 21:15-19](/john/21-15-19 "Jesus Restores Peter")), foreshadows His broader redemptive mission. He came not to condemn the weak but to save them, offering grace and forgiveness even to those who deny Him. Peter's denial and subsequent restoration become a powerful illustration of the gospel itself: that Christ died for sinners ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "God Demonstrates His Love for Sinners")), and His grace is sufficient to cover even our most profound failures ([2 Corinthians 12:9](/2_corinthians/12-9 "God's Grace is Sufficient")). Thus, this passage, even in its depiction of human brokenness, magnifies the perfect, foreknowing, and restoring love of Christ, who remains faithful even when we are faithless ([2 Timothy 2:13](/2_timothy/2-13 "God Remains Faithful")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

John 13:38

Jesus 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.

Mark 14:66

¶ And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:

Mark 14:72

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.

1 Corinthians 10:12

Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Luke 22:54

¶ Then took they him, and led [him], and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

Luke 22:62

And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

Genesis 1:8

And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.