Luke 22:34 Meaning and Explanation
“And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Jesus foretells that before the rooster crows that very day, Peter will deny three times that he knows him.
What Does Luke 22:34 Mean?
Jesus answers the vow with precision: not a vague caution but a timetable - this day, before cockcrow, three denials. The word he uses means to disown utterly: not merely failing Jesus but declaring, 'I know him not.'
Why tell Peter in advance? Not to humiliate him, but so that when it happened, the crowing rooster would preach to him (verses 60-61): his Lord had known the worst about him all along - and had prayed for him anyway (verse 32). Love that only embraces the ideal version of us is not grace. Jesus loves disciples with their falls fully foreseen.
Luke 22:34 in the Original Language
aparneomai (ἀπαρνέομαι), 'deny' -- to disown; to refuse to acknowledge any connection.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 22:34
What does Luke 22:34 mean?
Jesus foretells that before the rooster crows that very day, Peter will deny three times that he knows him.