Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 26:34

"Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice." — Matthew 26:34 (ASV)

Jesus said to him, Verily I say to you, That this night, before the cock crow—

The cock-crowing was a recognized mark of time; it was just before the rising of the sun—This night, before the cock crow,—

Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, That this night, before the cock crow,—

That is to say, before that period of time which was called the cock-crowing.

Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Jesus now tells his boastful disciple that, before the next morning's cock-crowing, he will three times deny his Lord. Not only would he stumble and fall with his fellow disciples, but he would go beyond them all in his repeated denials of that dear Master whom he professed to love with an affection more intense than even John possessed.

Peter declared that he would remain true to Christ if he were the only faithful friend left; Jesus foretold that, of all the twelve, only Judas would exceed the boaster in wickedness.

Jesus now tells his boastful disciple that, before the next morning’s rooster crow, he will deny his Lord three times. Not only would he stumble and fall with his fellow disciples, but he would go beyond them all in his repeated denials of that dear Master whom he professed to love with more intense affection than even John possessed. Peter declared that he would remain true to Christ if he were the only faithful friend left. Jesus foretold that, of all the twelve, only Judas would exceed the boaster in wickedness.

Thou shalt deny me thrice.

According to Mark's record, the cock was to crow once before Peter had denied his Lord three times, and this it did. When he had given his third denial, it crowed a second time, and then his slumbering conscience was awakened, and he went out, and wept bitterly.

Some people familiar with the religious ceremonies of the Jews say that the period called the cock-crowing was the time for the sacrifice of the morning lamb, and that it was about that time that Peter denied his Lord.