97 It seems most likely that this refers to a real rooster crowing, although a number of scholars have suggested that “cockcrow” is a technical term referring to the trumpet call which ended the third watch of the night (from midnight to 3 a.m.). This would then be a reference to the Roman gallicinium (ἀλεκτοροφωνία, alektorophōnia; the term is used in Mark 13:35 and is found in some [𝔓37vid,45 f1] in Matt 26:34) which would have been sounded at 3 a.m.; in this case Jesus would have prophesied a precise time by which the denials would have taken place. For more details see J. H. Bernard, St. John (), 2:. However, in light of the fact that Mark mentions the rooster crowing twice (Mark 14:72) and in Luke 22:60 the words are reversed (ἐφώνησεν ἀλέκτωρ, ephōnēsen alektōr), it is more probable that a real rooster is in view. In any event natural cockcrow would have occurred at approximately 3 a.m. in Palestine at this time of year (March–April) anyway.

In other versions

Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed.

Then he began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know the man!”

Immediately a rooster crowed.

Then he started to curse and to swear with an oath, “I don’t know the man!” Immediately a rooster crowed,

Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed.

Then he began to curse and to swear with an oath, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed.

Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

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