King James Version

What Does John 18:27 Mean?

John 18:27 in the King James Version says “Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. — study this verse from John chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

John 18:27 · KJV


Context

25

And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.

26

One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?

27

Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.

28

Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover. the hall: or, Pilate's house

29

Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew—The simple, stark Greek: Ἠρνήσατο οὖν πάλιν Πέτρος, καὶ εὐθέως ἀλέκτωρ ἐφώνησεν (Ērnēsato oun palin Petros, kai eutheōs alektōr ephōnēsen). The adverb εὐθέως (eutheōs, 'immediately') signals divine orchestration—the rooster's crow fulfilled Jesus's specific prediction (13:38).

This third denial completes Peter's fall from 'I will lay down my life for thee' (13:37) to triple rejection. Yet John omits Peter's bitter weeping (recorded in Matthew 26:75, Luke 22:62), focusing instead on chronology. The rooster's crow marks dawn approaching—darkness giving way to light, just as Peter's denial will yield to restoration (John 21).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Roman timekeeping divided night into four watches; the 'cockcrowing' (ἀλεκτοροφωνία, alektorophōnia) marked the third watch (midnight-3am) or the transition to the fourth watch (3am-6am). Roosters typically crow multiple times before dawn, but this particular cry's timing fulfilled prophecy precisely, demonstrating God's sovereignty over nature's rhythms.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the rooster's immediate crow demonstrate that God's word will be fulfilled even when it exposes our failures?
  2. What comfort can you find in Peter's restoration after such catastrophic failure—how does this shape your understanding of divine grace?
  3. Why does John omit Peter's weeping while the Synoptics emphasize it—what does this teach about repentance being more than emotional response?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 9 words
πάλιν1 of 9

again

G3825

(adverbially) anew, i.e., (of place) back, (of time) once more, or (conjunctionally) furthermore or on the other hand

οὖν2 of 9

then

G3767

(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly

ἠρνήσατο3 of 9

denied

G720

to contradict, i.e., disavow, reject, abnegate

4 of 9
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Πέτρος5 of 9

Peter

G4074

a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle

καὶ6 of 9

and

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

εὐθέως7 of 9

immediately

G2112

directly, i.e., at once or soon

ἀλέκτωρ8 of 9

the cock

G220

a cock or male fowl

ἐφώνησεν9 of 9

crew

G5455

to emit a sound (animal, human or instrumental); by implication, to address in words or by name, also in imitation


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of John. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

John 18:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to John 18:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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