We’re all familiar with the story of Peter’s denial of Jesus and the crowing rooster, as recounted in the Gospels. For example: In Matthew 26, Jesus predicts His own death, and also foretells how Peter would respond in the face of it. Jesus often uses vivid imagery to convey profound truths, and in this instance, He uses a rooster to reveal something about Peter’s character.
Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same (Matthew 26:31-35, ESV).
When we read this passage, our thoughts naturally turn to Peter, even though the Bible clearly states that all the disciples stumbled after vowing their willingness to die for Jesus if necessary. Yet, our attention often lingers on Peter because of his impetuous nature, his readiness to speak boldly, and his infamous denial of Jesus before the rooster’s crow. Peter embodies the individual who voices the thoughts we hesitate to articulate ourselves. When someone like him says something foolish, we can’t help but feel relief that it wasn’t us in that moment of vulnerability. In truth, Peter mirrors our own tendencies – our yearning to shine, to prove ourselves as heroes, even in the eyes of the Creator of the Universe.
Peter proclaims his readiness to die for Jesus. But Peter did not grasp that it was not about him, but about something far greater – something destined to alter the course of humanity for all eternity. Rather than explaining that this was the divine plan for the salvation of the world, Jesus revealed a hidden truth about Peter’s heart, something Peter himself didn’t know – that he would feel ashamed of Jesus. The Lord always speaks to our hearts, for it is within this hidden space that the true essence of our being lies.
Jesus knows Peter far better than Peter knows himself. He understands that Peter is self-absorbed and ego-centric, merely giving Jesus a chance. Yet, Peter’s fears overshadow the little bit of faith he holds in Him so far. His bold proclamations of courage and loyalty do not stem from steadfast conviction, but rather from a lack of it. All of this became clear when Peter ultimately denied the Lord, not once, but three times. That’s why Jesus used a rooster to awaken Peter from his self-centeredness, to show him just how distant his heart was from Him, and ultimately draw Peter closer to Him.
Luke’s account of the same event adds another layer of insight. Jesus says to Peter, “Simon, Simon! Behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. (Luke 22:31-32, KJ21). Interesting, Jesús calls Peter by his old name, Simon, perhaps suggesting that he’s stills dwelling in his old mindset. Furthermore, Jesus says, ‘when you convert, strengthen your brothers.’” Despite being by His side for three years, Peter was still not truly converted. Jesus was calling Peter to repent, let go of his former self, and be transformed into a renewed man.
Jesús never referred to Peter as a coward or traitor; His intention was never to shame or condemn him. On the contrary, immediately after the conversation with Peter and His disciples, something deeply moving takes place: Jesús invites them to pray with Him, saying, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with Me” (Matthew 26:38, ESV). Though He could have chosen to pray alone, He shares his pain and anguish about what is to come and invites them to join Him in prayer. How sweet and loving is our Lord! That is why we can trust Him with our pain.
We can relate to Peter at certain points in our lives. Even after surrendering our lives to Christ and walking hand in hand with Him, we often become entangled in worldly distractions. Gradually, we loosen our hold on His hand, losing sight of His presence. Though we may not deny Him through our words, we do so through our actions. Yet, in His boundless love, the Lord does not leave us adrift. Instead, He sends us gentle reminders – like a rooster’s crow – to awaken us and call us back to Him.
Far too often, we wander through life oblivious to the depth of our own sinfulness, convincing ourselves that we are inherently good, even when the Lords declares that our hearts are deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV). We blind ourselves to this truth, donning the guise of heroes like Peter, or presenting ourselves as righteous, virtuous, or compassionate. It is only when the rooster’s cry disrupts our illusions that we come face to face with the reality of our spiritual state. Apart from Jesus, we are nothing. In that critical moment, we are called to pause, reflect, and admit our utter dependence on a strength greater than our own.
Amidst this reflection, I found myself wondering why Jesus chose a rooster to speak to Peter, rather than, say, a parrot. Parrots possess the remarkable ability to mimic human speech in a way no other animal can. Yet, perhaps it was because roosters are heralds of the morning, waking us from slumber. Every now and then, God may allow a rooster to crow to stir us from the spiritual lethargy we so often fall into, jolting us out of our self-centered ways.
What I find most beautiful about this story is that the rooster also serves as a herald of a new dawn. Its crow announces the arrival of a new day, brimming with opportunities to choose differently and begin anew. For Peter, the rooster’s call was a poignant reminder of who he really was, prompting him to weep in deep repentance. Yet, this moment of sorrow was not a defeat – it marked the beginning of a transformed life.
Peter was no longer merely the fisherman; he became the Apostle Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit and inspired to write two epistles that would form part of the scriptures. Through Peter, God worked extraordinary miracles, including the resurrection of the disciple Dorcas (Acts 9:36-41). It was Peter who stood boldly on the day of Pentecost and preached, leading 3,000 souls to salvation in a single day (Acts 2:14). He led the early church in Jerusalem, alongside James, during its formative years, and ultimately demonstrated the depth of his faith by laying down his life for Christ (John21:18-19).
Given this legacy, who could judge Peter for the day a rooster’s crow brought him to his knees? Who would dare mock him, saying, “I know you – you’re the coward who denied Jesus, the impulsive one full of pride”? No one. Peter’s story is one of triumph – a transformation of the once-proud and impulsive man into a vessel of wisdom, courage, and a life filled with the Holy Spirit.
The crow of the rooster is not a reproach; it is a call to renewal. When you feel the sting of shame for something you’ve done, consider it the Lord sending a rooster to awaken you – not to condemn you, to gently shake you from illusions and invite you to step into the abundant life Christ has prepared for you. You still need to seek His forgiveness, and if your actions have hurt someone, ask for their forgiveness too. Do so before the day ends, and let reconciliation restore your heart. But, do not linger in the trap of self-loathing, guilt, or despair over your failure.
Peter’s repentance was swift because he understood that even before the rooster crowed, Jesus had already forgiven him. If mercy was extended to Peter, rest assure it’ll be extended to you as well. That’s why this story is in the Bible, for us to find comfort in it. Fix your gaze upon Christ and His sacrifice on the cross. His blood – unchanging and eternal – was poured out to lift us from the mire, cleanse us, and restore us to new life.
And if someone reminds you of your past, saying, “I know who you are; I know what you’ve done,” boldly reply, “You may have known me before the rooster crowed, but now I know who I am in Christ. I am a new creation. The old has passed away, and the Lord is working something new in me each day.” Jesus never comes to destroy us; He draws nearer to offer life in abundance. Trust in Him, for His forgiveness was given long before the rooster ever crowed for you.