The term "cock-crow" refers to the time of night when a rooster crows, typically just before dawn. In biblical times, this was a significant marker of time, especially during the night watches. The concept of cock-crow is most notably associated with the events surrounding the denial of Jesus by the Apostle Peter, as recorded in the New Testament.

Biblical References:

1. Peter's Denial of Jesus:
The most prominent mention of cock-crow in the Bible is in the context of Peter's denial of Jesus. Jesus foretold Peter's denial during the Last Supper, saying, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:34). This prophecy is fulfilled later that night, as Peter denies knowing Jesus three times, and immediately a rooster crows, reminding Peter of Jesus' words (Matthew 26:74-75; Mark 14:72; Luke 22:60-61; John 18:27).

2. Time Marker:
In the ancient Jewish context, the night was divided into watches. The cock-crow was a significant time marker, often associated with the third watch of the night, which was roughly from midnight to 3 a.m. This is evident in Mark 13:35 , where Jesus warns His disciples to stay alert, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will come—whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning."

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In the narrative of Peter's denial, the crowing of the rooster serves as a poignant reminder of human frailty and the fulfillment of Jesus' prophetic words. It underscores the theme of repentance and forgiveness, as Peter, upon hearing the rooster, is struck with remorse and weeps bitterly (Matthew 26:75). This moment marks a turning point for Peter, who later becomes a foundational leader in the early Christian church.

The cock-crow also symbolizes the dawning of a new day, both literally and metaphorically. It signifies the transition from darkness to light, paralleling the hope and redemption found in Christ. The rooster's crow heralds the coming of the morning, much like the resurrection of Jesus heralds the new covenant and the promise of eternal life.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the cultural context of the Bible, roosters were common in the region and their crowing was a familiar sound. The use of cock-crow as a time reference would have been easily understood by the original audience. It served as a natural alarm clock, marking the end of night and the beginning of a new day.

The mention of cock-crow in the Gospels highlights the authenticity and vividness of the narrative, providing a tangible connection to the daily life and practices of the time. It also reflects the precision of Jesus' foreknowledge and the unfolding of divine plans, even in the midst of human weakness.

In summary, the concept of cock-crow in the Bible is rich with meaning, serving as a reminder of prophecy, repentance, and the hope of a new beginning through Christ.219. alektorophonia -- the crowing of a rooster
... al-ek-tor-of-o-nee'-ah) Short Definition: cockcrow Definition: the cockcrow, as
a ... From alektor and phone; cock-crow, ie The third night-watch -- cockcrowing. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/219.htm - 6k

Hymn at Cock-Crow
... I. HYMN AT COCK-CROW. Awake! the shining day is born! The herald cock proclaims
the morn: And Christ, the soul's Awakener, cries, Bidding us back to life arise. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/i hymn at cock-crow.htm

Of the Proof of their Freedom from any Discrepancies in the ...
... For to what purpose would it be to say, "before the cock crow twice," when ... which
would thus be proved to have been completed before the first cockcrow, must also ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter ii of the proof of.htm

Christ's Look
... The other Evangelists connect the sudden change in the denier with his hearing the
cock crow only, but according to Luke there were two causes co-operating to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christs look.htm

Peter's Repentance
... Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto
him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/peters repentance.htm

Matt. xxvi. 67, 68
... And immediately the cock crew. And Peter remembered the words of Jesus, which
said, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxv matt xxvi 67.htm

In the High Priest's Palace
... And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter: and Peter remembered the word of the
Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/in the high priests palace.htm

The Last Days in Jerusalem.
... He was unhappy, he could not sit still; he got up, and went away into a place near
the door, called the porch, and when he was in the porch he heard a cock crow ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter xi the last days.htm

Despised and Rejected by Friend and Foe
... all shall be offended, yet will not I." And Jesus saith unto him, "Verily I say
unto thee, that this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou ...
/.../mark/jesus of nazareth a biography/chapter xiv despised and rejected.htm

The Warning
... all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto
thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 26-31 the warning.htm

Of the Harmony Characterizing the Accounts which These Evangelists ...
... Matthew then proceeds with his narrative in these terms: "And Peter remembered the
word of Jesus which He had said unto him, Before the cock crow thou shalt ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter vi of the harmony characterizing.htm

Cockcrow (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Alt. of Cockcrowing. Multi-Version Concordance
Cockcrow (1 Occurrence). Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore ...
/c/cockcrow.htm - 6k

Cock-crow (1 Occurrence)
Cock-crow. Cockcrow, Cock-crow. Cockcrowing . Multi-Version Concordance ... (WEY
DBY WBS YLT). Cockcrow, Cock-crow. Cockcrowing . Reference Bible.
/c/cock-crow.htm - 6k

Cock (12 Occurrences)
... the first crow in the morning; cockcrow. ... And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say into
thee, that thou today, even this night, before the cockcrow twice, shalt ...
/c/cock.htm - 13k

Thrice (17 Occurrences)
... Thrice (17 Occurrences). Matthew 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,
That this night, before the cockcrow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ...
/t/thrice.htm - 11k

Cockcrowing (1 Occurrence)

/c/cockcrowing.htm - 8k

Verily (146 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee,
That this night, before the cockcrow, thou shalt deny me thrice. ...
/v/verily.htm - 39k

Wakeful (3 Occurrences)
... Mark 13:35 Be wakeful therefore, for you know not when the master of the house is
coming--in the evening, at midnight, at cock-crow, or at dawn. (WEY). ...
/w/wakeful.htm - 7k

Thereon (90 Occurrences)
... And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cockcrow
twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. ...
/t/thereon.htm - 34k

Remark (2 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:72 and a second time a cock crew, and Peter remembered the saying that Jesus
said to him -- 'Before a cockcrow twice, thou mayest deny me thrice;' and ...
/r/remark.htm - 7k

Dawn (70 Occurrences)
... Mark 13:35 Be wakeful therefore, for you know not when the master of the house is
coming--in the evening, at midnight, at cock-crow, or at dawn. (WEY NIV). ...
/d/dawn.htm - 28k

What is the significance of the rooster crowing in regards to Peter denying Jesus three times? | GotQuestions.org

What does the rooster represent in Christianity? | GotQuestions.org

What is godly sorrow? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus