Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 13:38

"Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice." — John 13:38 (ASV)

Peter was impatient and avowed that he was ready to lay down his life. Jesus, who understood the situation as Peter did not and who knew Peter’s inner weakness, was gently incredulous. His answer about Peter’s denial reveals his estimate of this disciple. The crowing of the rooster was reckoned as the watch between twelve midnight and three o’clock in the morning, when the light of dawn began to glimmer on the eastern horizon. When Peter heard this word, he must have been completely baffled. He would not question Jesus’ authority. Yet he was so sure of his own devotion that he could not imagine such a failure.