Cockcrowing refers to the time of night when roosters begin to crow, typically just before dawn. In biblical times, this was a significant marker of time, especially during the night watches. The term "cockcrowing" is most famously 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 notable mention of cockcrowing 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 "cockcrowing" was a significant time marker, often associated with the third watch of the night, roughly between midnight and 3 a.m. This period was crucial for those keeping watch, as it signaled the approach of dawn and the end of the night.

3. Symbolism and Lessons:
The event of Peter's denial and the subsequent cockcrowing carries deep symbolic meaning. It serves as a poignant reminder of human frailty and the tendency to falter under pressure. Despite Peter's earlier bold declarations of loyalty, he succumbs to fear and denies his association with Jesus. The crowing of the rooster acts as a divine alarm, awakening Peter to his failure and prompting his repentance. This narrative underscores the themes of forgiveness and restoration, as Peter is later reinstated by Jesus (John 21:15-19).

4. Cultural Context:
In the cultural context of the time, roosters were common in the region, and their crowing was a familiar sound. The use of cockcrowing as a time reference would have been easily understood by the original audience of the Gospels. It also highlights the ordinary and humble means through which God communicates profound truths.

Theological Implications:

The account of cockcrowing in the Gospels serves as a powerful illustration of prophecy, human weakness, and divine grace. It emphasizes the foreknowledge of Christ and His understanding of human nature. The incident also highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for spiritual readiness, as believers are called to remain faithful even in the face of trials and temptations.

In summary, cockcrowing in the Bible is more than just a reference to a time of night; it is a significant event that conveys deep spiritual lessons and reflects the mercy and redemptive power of Christ.In our Lord's time the Jews had adopted the Greek and Roman division of the night into four watches, each consisting of three hours, the first beginning at six o'clock in the evening (Luke 12:38; Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48). But the ancient division, known as the first and second cock-crowing, was still retained. The cock usually crows several times soon after midnight (this is the first crowing), and again at the dawn of day (and this is the second crowing). Mark mentions (14:30) the two cock-crowings. Matthew (26:34) alludes to that only which was emphatically the cock-crowing, viz, the second. (n.) The time at which cocks first crow; the early morning.COCK-CROWING

kok'-kro-ing (alektorophonia): An indefinite hour of the night between midnight and morning (Mark 13:35), referred to by all the evangelists in their account of Peter's denial (Matthew 26:34, 74 Mark 14:30 Luke 22:34 John 13:38). It is derived from the habit of the cock to crow especially toward morning.

See COCK.

219. alektorophonia -- the crowing of a rooster
... cockcrowing. From alektor and phone; cock-crow, ie The third night-watch -- cockcrowing.
see GREEK alektor. see GREEK phone. (alektorophonias) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/219.htm - 6k

Notes
... It is also a symbol of the Resurrection, our Lord being supposed to have risen
from the grave at the early cockcrowing: see l.65 et seq. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/notes.htm

The Annunciation of St. John the Baptist
... At some time previously, unknown to those who waited for the morning - whether at
cockcrowing, or a little earlier or later, [625] the superintending Priest ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter iii the annunciation of.htm

August 27 Evening
... nearer than when we believed."Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master
of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/august 27 evening.htm

At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple
... As the first cockcrowing intimated the dawn of morn, they blew a threefold blast;
another on the tenth step, and yet another threefold blast as they entered ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter vi at the feast.htm

Discourse Concerning the Future.
... Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of the house cometh, whether at even,
or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/discourse concerning the future.htm

Dionysius to Basilides, My Beloved Son, and My Brother...
... What is the hour at which the ante-paschal fast ought to be terminated--whether
on the evening preceding the paschal festival itself, or at cockcrowing, or at ...
/.../dionysius/the works of dionysius/canon i dionysius to basilides.htm

The Warning
... That day, and even before that brief night was over, before the second cockcrowing
("the cock-crow" of the rest, being that which announced the dawn) he shall ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 26-31 the warning.htm

Of the Proof of their Freedom from any Discrepancies in the ...
... was to commence; that is to say, their object was to bring out the facts that it
was to be thrice repeated, and that it was to begin previous to the cockcrowing ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter ii of the proof of.htm

The Second Coming of Christ.
... upon his lord's appearing.] 35 Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of
the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxiv the second coming of.htm

Of the Harmony Characterizing the Accounts which These Evangelists ...
... latter. Moreover, we take the second cockcrowing to have occurred after
the third denial, as Mark has expressly informed us. 26. ...
/.../the harmony of the gospels/chapter vi of the harmony characterizing.htm

Cockcrowing (1 Occurrence)
... It is derived from the habit of the cock to crow especially toward morning. See
COCK. Multi-Version Concordance Cockcrowing (1 Occurrence). ...
/c/cockcrowing.htm - 8k

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-crowing (3 Occurrences)
Cock-crowing. Cockcrowing, Cock-crowing. Cocker . Easton's Bible Dictionary ...
Cockcrowing, Cock-crowing. Cocker . Reference Bible.
/c/cock-crowing.htm - 8k

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)
... as a regular division of time: "Watch therefore: for ye know not when the lord of
the house cometh, whether at even, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in ...
/c/cock.htm - 13k

Master (346 Occurrences)
... Mark 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh,
at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: (KJV WEY ...
/m/master.htm - 40k

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