And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew.

LUKE 22:60KJV
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Luke 22:60 (KJV)

What does Luke 22:60 mean?

Luke 22:60 shows Peter denying that he knows anything about Jesus, insisting to the bystander that he does not understand what is being said. As Peter finishes speaking, a rooster crows, marking the moment Jesus had foretold when Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed.

In this scene, Peter is outside the high priest’s house, confronted by someone who suspects him of being with Jesus. Peter responds directly to the man, saying, “Man, I know not what thou sayest,” which is a strong denial of any connection or knowledge. The immediate crowing of the rooster signals the fulfillment of Jesus’ earlier warning to Peter, highlighting Peter’s fear and the pressure he felt in that dangerous situation.

The Greek behind Luke 22:60

  • ἄνθρωπε (anthrōpe, G444): This word is translated here as “Man,” and it is a direct, everyday way to address someone, showing Peter’s bluntness and perhaps his frustration or desperation in the moment.
  • οἶδα (oida, G1492): This verb means “I know,” and Peter uses it to firmly deny any knowledge, not just of Jesus, but of what the accuser is even talking about, making his denial as complete as possible.
  • ἀλέκτωρ (alektōr, G220): This is the word for “cock” or “rooster.” The crowing of the rooster is a specific detail Jesus mentioned earlier, and its immediate occurrence here underlines the accuracy of Jesus’ prediction and the significance of the moment.

Why Luke 22:60 matters

  • Luke 22:60 makes clear that Peter’s denial was not just a slip but a strong and deliberate statement, using direct language to distance himself from Jesus.
  • The verse connects directly to Jesus’ earlier prophecy, showing that Jesus’ words come true exactly as he said, which adds weight to his authority and foreknowledge.
  • This moment is a turning point for Peter, setting up his deep regret and the emotional impact that follows, and it helps readers understand the human weakness even among Jesus’ closest followers.

Where else these words appear

“cock” Greek G220 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.
  • Mark 14:30 And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.
  • Luke 22:34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

“immediately” Greek G3916 · used in 19 verses

  • Matthew 21:19 And when he saw a fig tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it, Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever. And presently the fig tree withered away.
  • Luke 8:47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
  • Acts 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

“crew” Greek G5455 · used in 38 verses

  • Matthew 20:32 And Jesus stood still, and called them, and said, What will ye that I shall do unto you?
  • Luke 8:8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
  • John 9:18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.

“yet” Greek G2089 · used in 86 verses

  • Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
  • Luke 24:44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
  • Philippians 1:9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;