Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Matthew 26:34
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
34. before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice ] “This day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Mark). A curious difficulty has been raised here from the fact that it was unlawful for Jews to keep fowls in the Holy City. Such rules, however, could not be applied to the Romans.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 34. Jesus said] Our Lord’s answer to Peter is very emphatic and impressive. Verily – I speak a solemn weighty truth, thou wilt not only be stumbled, fall off, and forsake thy Master, but thou wilt even deny that thou hast, or ever had, any knowledge of or connection with me; and this thou wilt do, not by little and little, through a long process of time, till the apostasy, daily gathering strength, shall be complete; but thou wilt do it this very night, and that not once only, but thrice; and this thou wilt do also in the earlier part of the night, before even a cock shall crow. Was not this warning enough to him not to trust in his own strength, but to depend on God?
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Jesus said unto him, verily I say unto thee,…. Christ, the more strongly to asseverate what he was about to say, uses the word verily, or prefixes his “Amen” to it, as being a certain truth, and what Peter might assure himself of would certainly come to pass:
that this night before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice; which is, as if he should say, thou wilt not only be offended because of me, and flee from me, and be scattered with the rest, as will be the case of all of you; but thou wilt deny that thou knowest me, that thou belongest to me, or hast any concern with me; and this thou wilt do not only once, but again and again, even three times, one after another, and that this very night, before the cock has done crowing. In Mark it is said, “that this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice”,
Mr 14:30; which may be reconciled with the words of Matthew, and the other evangelists, by observing, that the word “twice” is not in Beza’s ancient copy, which he gave to the university of Cambridge, nor is it in the Ethiopic version; which if allowed to be the true reading, the difficulty is removed at once; but whereas it is in other copies, no stress must be laid on this, nor is there any need of it: for whereas the cock crows twice in the night, once at midnight, and again near break of day; and which latter crowing being louder, and more welcome, and most taken notice of, is, by way of eminence, called the cock crowing; and is what Matthew here has respect to, and so designs the same as Mark does; and the sense of both is, that before the cock crow a second time, which is most properly the cock crowing, Peter should three times deny his master, as he did; see Mr 13:35, where cock crowing is distinguished from midnight, the first time the cock crows, and means the second time of crowing; and where Mark is to be understood in the same sense as Matthew, and both entirely agree. So cock crowing and midnight are distinguished by the Jews, who say b,
“that on all other days they remove the ashes from the altar, , “at cock crowing”, or near unto it, whether before or after; but on the day of atonement,
, “at midnight”:”
and who also speak of the cocks crowing a first and second, and even a third time c.
“Says R. Shila, he that begins his journey before cock crowing, his blood be upon his head. R. Josiah says, he may not proceed , “until he repeats”; that is, until he crows twice: and there are, who say, until he trebles it, or crows a third time: of what do they speak? of a middling one, i.e. which neither crows too soon, nor too late.”
b Misn. Yoma, c. 1. sect. 8. c T. Bab. Yoma, fol. 21. 1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Before the cock crow. A little more graphic if the article is omitted, as in the Greek. Before a single cock shall be heard, early in the night, thou shalt deny me. Dr. Thomson (” Land and Book “) says that the barn – door fowls “swarm round every door, share in the food of their possessors, are at home among the children in every room, roost overhead at night, and with their ceaseless crowing are the town – clock and the morning – bell to call up sleepers at early dawn.”
Fuente: Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament
(34) Thou shalt deny me thrice.The agreement of all the four Evangelists places the fact of the prediction beyond the shadow of a doubt, and the prevision which it implies is obviously more than a general insight into the instability of the disciples character, and involves a power essentially superhuman. We must not forget what the disciple could not fail to remember, that to the sin thus foretold was attached the penalty, that he who was guilty of it should be denied before the angels of God (Luk. 12:9). That was the law of retribution, but as with all such laws, the penalty might be averted by repentance.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
‘Jesus said to him, “Truly I say to you, that this night, before the cock crows, you will deny me three times.” ’
Jesus gently puts him right. Even before the night has passed Peter will certainly deny Him three times. ‘Before the cock crows.’ The middle watch of the night was called cockcrow by the Romans. It was during that period from Mat 12:30 onwards that the cocks would constantly crow. But Jesus probably has in mind the crowing that heralds the dawn. The Rabbis said, ‘When he hears the cock crowing he should say, Blessed is He Who has given to the cock understanding to distinguish between day and night’. And by that time Peter would three times have denied Him.
Peter’s behaviour would in fact be a mixture of cowardice and great bravery. He would try to put up a fight against insuperable odds, and would undoubtedly have willingly died there and then. But he was forbidden, and perplexed and frustrated he did not know what to do. Then, increasingly unsure of himself and not knowing what to do, his nerve would break and he would flee and ‘be scattered’ with the other disciples as unbelievingly they saw their Master allow Himself to be bound. Then he would partially recover his nerve and follow at a distance (in the company of someone who had no fear that he himself would not be accepted there), even entering the enemies’ headquarters, in order to try to discover what would happen to Jesus. And once there he would not only lie about who he was, which would be understandable, but would vehemently deny any loyalty to Jesus. Indeed he would deny Him outright. And yet he would still remain in dangerous proximity to Jesus until the full realisation of his own failure came and he went away to be alone and ‘weep bitterly’. It was a strange mixture so typical of Peter.
For it was in fact all typical of Peter’s character, brash, bold and impetuous, and yet prone to his nerve collapsing at crucial times, especially when caught on the hop. Both weaknesses had to be refined, and to his credit they soon were. How different were the brave men who faced the Sanhedrin in the early part of Acts. Having failed Him once they would not fail Him again.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Mat 26:34 f. ] before a cock crows , therefore before the day begins to dawn. Cock-crowing occurs in the third of the four night watches (see on Mat 14:24 ), which watch lasted from midnight till about three o’clock, and is called in Mar 13:35 . For the opposite of the . ., see Plat. Symp . p. 223 C: ; Lucian, Ocyp. 670: ; Horace, Sat . i. 1. 10. For a later modification of the expression in conformity with the repeated denials, see Mar 14:30 . On the question as to whether or not can be considered good Greek, consult Lobeck, ad Phryn . p. 228 f. This prediction as to the time was subsequently confirmed by the actual crowing of a cock , Mat 26:74 .
] thou wilt deny me , deny that I am thy Lord and Master. Comp. Celsus in Origen, ii. 45: , , . For . comp. Joh 11:16 .
] The future after (see Hartung, Partikell . p. 157; Winer, p. 471 f. [E. T. 635]) is rather more expressive of a confident assertion than the subjunctive , the reading of A E G, etc.
, . . .] Considering the sincere but as yet untried love of each, this is not an improbable statement, though it is found only in Matthew and Mark.
Fuente: Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer’s New Testament Commentary
34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
Ver. 34. Before the cock crow, &c. ] Christ mentioneth the cock, quia tam strenuum pugnatorem decebat tale praeconium, saith one. The presumption of proud flesh never but miscarries; when humble self-suspicion holds out, and hath favour. The story of Pendleton and Saunders is better known than that it needs here to be related. (Acts and Mon.)
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
34. ] The very words in their order are, I doubt not, reported by St. Mark . . . The contrast to Peter’s boast, and the climax, is in these words the strongest; and the inference also comes out most clearly, that they likewise were not now said for the first time. The first cock-crowing is at midnight; but inasmuch as few hear it , when the word is used generally , we mean the second crowing, early in the morning, before dawn. If this view be taken, the . . and . . amount to the same only the latter is the more precise expression. It is most likely that Peter understood this expression as only a mark of time , and therefore received it, as when it was spoken before, as merely an expression of distrust on the Lord’s part; it was this solemn and circumstantial repetition of it which afterwards struck upon his mind when the sign itself was literally fulfilled.
A question has been raised whether cocks were usually kept or even allowed in Jerusalem. No such bird is mentioned in the O.T., and the Mischna states that the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests every where, kept no fowls, because they scratched up unclean worms. But the Talmud is here not consistent with itself: and Lightfoot brings forward a story which proves it. And there might be many kept by the resident Romans, over whom the Jews had no power.
We must not overlook the spiritual parabolic import of this warning. Peter stands here as a representative of all disciples who deny or forget Christ and the watchful bird that cries in the night is that warning voice which ‘speaketh once, yea twice,’ to call them to repentance: see Rom 13:11-12 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 26:34 . . . . ., repetition of statement in Mat 26:31 , with added emphasis ( , etc.), and = never? This night I tell you. : more exact specification of the time to make the statement more impressive = before the dawn. , poetic form for . This fowl not mentioned in O. T.; probably introduced into Palestine after the exile, possibly from Babylon (Benzinger, pp. 38, 94). Not allowed to be kept in Jerusalem according to Lightfoot, but this is contradicted by others (Schttgen, Wnsche). In any case the prohibition would not apply to the Romans. Though no hens had been in Jerusalem, Jesus might have spoken the words to mark the time of night. , thrice, suggestive of denial in aggravated form ; on which, not on the precise number of times, as an instance of miraculous prediction, stress should be laid.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
That. Greek. hoti. Separating what was said from the time when it was said. See note on Luk 23:43.
before. See note on Mat 1:18.
the = a: i.e. one of other cooks.
Shalt = wilt.
thrice: i.e. three denials and a cock-crow; then three more and a second cock-crow; not three cock-crows. This prophecy was uttered three times: (1) Joh 13:38, relating to fact, not to time; (2) Luk 22:34, in the supper room; (3) and last, Mat 26:34 (Mar 14:30), on the Mount of Olives. See App-156and App-160.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
34.] The very words in their order are, I doubt not, reported by St. Mark- . . . The contrast to Peters boast, and the climax, is in these words the strongest; and the inference also comes out most clearly, that they likewise were not now said for the first time. The first cock-crowing is at midnight; but inasmuch as few hear it,-when the word is used generally, we mean the second crowing, early in the morning, before dawn. If this view be taken, the . . and . . amount to the same-only the latter is the more precise expression. It is most likely that Peter understood this expression as only a mark of time, and therefore received it, as when it was spoken before, as merely an expression of distrust on the Lords part; it was this solemn and circumstantial repetition of it which afterwards struck upon his mind when the sign itself was literally fulfilled.
A question has been raised whether cocks were usually kept or even allowed in Jerusalem. No such bird is mentioned in the O.T., and the Mischna states that the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests every where, kept no fowls, because they scratched up unclean worms. But the Talmud is here not consistent with itself: and Lightfoot brings forward a story which proves it. And there might be many kept by the resident Romans, over whom the Jews had no power.
We must not overlook the spiritual parabolic import of this warning. Peter stands here as a representative of all disciples who deny or forget Christ-and the watchful bird that cries in the night is that warning voice which speaketh once, yea twice, to call them to repentance: see Rom 13:11-12.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 26:34. in this very night) It was already night; and it was more wonderful that this should happen by night than by day.-, before that) A considerable portion of the night remains after cock-crow. Peters never, therefore, is utterly refuted.-, the cock) The bird here intended is that strictly so called, cf. Mar 13:35; see 3Ma 5:23. There were some of them in Jerusalem, though, as Lightfoot says, they were few in number, at least with the Jews. They could not, however, prevent the Romans from having them; and so much the more wonderful, therefore, was our Lords prediction.-, crow) St Mark adds , twice. The sense in St Matthew is, Before the cock crow once thou shalt deny Me, and thou shalt deny Me thrice.-, thrice) The Saviour knows us much better than we know ourselves.-, thou shalt deny) The sin of the mouth shall be added to the offence of the heart.[1143]
[1143] The sin of the mouth is hurtful to faith.-V. g.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
That: Mar 14:30, Mar 14:31, Luk 22:34, Joh 13:38
Reciprocal: Mat 26:70 – General Mat 26:75 – remembered Mar 14:72 – the second Luk 22:61 – Before Joh 18:27 – and Rom 3:7 – if the truth 1Co 10:12 – General 1Co 11:23 – the same
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6:34
Jesus made a specific prediction of what Peter would do; not only specific as to the act but also as to the time of the night in which it would occur.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
[Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.] The same also he had said, Joh 13:38; “The cock shall not crow till thou hast denied me thrice.” Therefore some say, that that was the same supper with this of the Passover. Very right indeed, if [it] ought to be rendered, the cock shall not crow once; or the cock shall not crow at all. But it is not so; but it amounts to this sense, “Within the time of cockcrowing” thou shalt deny me thrice; for Peter had denied him but once before the first crowing of the cock, and thrice before the second, Mar 14:68; Mar 14:72. From hence, therefore, we may easily observe in what sense those words are to be understood, which were spoken to Peter two days before the Passover, Joh 13:38; “The cock shall not crow,” etc.: not that the cock should not crow at all between that time and Peter’s denying; but as if our Saviour had said, “Are you so secure of yourself, O Peter? Verily, I say unto you, the time shall be, and that shortly, when you shall deny me thrice within the time of cockcrowing.” At cockcrowing; Mar 13:35. At the Paschal supper it is said, “This night; before the cock crow,” etc. Mat 26:34; Mar 14:30; Luk 22:34. But there is nothing of this said in that supper, John_13.
Concerning the cockcrowing, thus the masters: “R. Shilla saith, Whosoever begins his journey before cockcrowing, his blood be upon his head. R. Josia saith, If before the second crowing: but some say, Before the third. But of what kind of cock is this spoken?” Of a middling cock; that is, as the Gloss explains it, “a cock that doth not crow too soon nor too late.” The Misna on which this Gloss is hath these words; “Every day they remove the ashes from the altar about cockcrowing; but on the day of atonement at midnight,” etc.
You may wonder that a dunghill cock should be found at Jerusalem, when it is forbid by the canons that any cocks should be kept there: “They do not keep cocks at Jerusalem, upon account of the holy things; nor do the priests keep them throughout all the land of Israel.” The Gloss gives the reason; “Even Israelites are forbid to keep cocks at Jerusalem, because of the holy things: for Israelites have eaten there peace offerings and thank offerings: but now it is the custom of dunghill cocks to turn over dunghills, where perhaps they might find creeping things that might pollute those holy things that are to be eaten.” By what means, and under what pretence, the canon was dispensed with, we do not dispute. It is certain there were cocks at Jerusalem, as well as at other places. And memorable is the story of a cock which was stoned by the sentence of the council for having killed a little child.
Fuente: Lightfoot Commentary Gospels
Mat 26:34. Before the cook crow. Mark: Before a cock crow twice. The first cock crow is about midnight, and heard by few; the second, about three in the morning, is usually called cock-crowing (comp. Mar 13:35). The latter is referred to here: Our Lord meant the actual cock-crowing to be a warning for Peter (Mat 26:75). It is said that the inhabitants of Jerusalem kept no fowls because they scratched up unclean worms. But this is not certain, and such a prohibition would not affect the Roman residents.
Thrice deny me. Deny knowing me (Luk 22:34), a denial of any relation to Christ, virtually a denial of faith in Him, as the Son of God; in contrast with the previous confession (chap. Mat 16:16).