Devine Scripture

Luke 22:34

What does Luke 22:34 mean?

A plain-English look at Luke 22:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Luke 22:34 means

Jesus answers Peter with solemn truth: before the cock crows that very day, Peter will deny knowing Him three times. The specificity—time and number—demonstrates Jesus’ prophetic knowledge and underscores the certainty. This prediction is not to shame but to prepare Peter and, afterward, to lead him to repentance when it comes true. The denial will occur not under torture but before servants, revealing fear’s power. Yet Jesus’ earlier promise stands: Peter’s faith will not utterly fail. The verse warns against trusting in one’s own strength and shows that Christ’s foreknowledge includes our failures; His grace anticipates and overcomes them. The rooster will become both a sign of sin and a call to restoration.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said, I say to you, Peter, before the cock's second cry today, you will say three times that you have no knowledge of me.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he said, `I say to thee, Peter, a cock shall not crow to-day, before thrice thou mayest disown knowing me.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he said: I say to thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, till thou thrice deniest that thou knowest me. And he said to them:

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he said, I tell thee, Peter, [the] cock shall not crow to-day before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Context

Following Peter’s bold pledge, Jesus gives a clear, immediate prediction of denial within the same day. This sobers the room as Jesus then addresses all the disciples about changes ahead, recalling their earlier mission without provisions and instructing new preparedness, including mention of a sword. These instructions will frame the disciples’ experience after Jesus’ arrest. The scene then moves toward Gethsemane, where the inner struggle and outward betrayal converge.

v.33And he said unto him, Lord, with thee I am ready to go both to prison and to death.

v.34This passage

v.35And he said unto them, When I sent you forth without purse, and wallet, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Matthew 26:74

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

  • Mark 14:71

    But he began to curse, and to swear, I know not this man of whom ye speak.

  • 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 thou to-day, even this night, before the cock crow twice, shalt deny me thrice.

  • John 18:27

    Peter therefore denied again: and straightway the cock crew.

  • John 13:38

    Jesus answereth, Wilt thou lay down thy life for me? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice.

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