Was It Really the Rooster Crowing During Peter’s Denial of Christ?

In this post, let me share with you the untold story about the rooster crowing that marked the time when Peter denied Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah). By going through the original text of the Gospel and the historical, cultural, and religious background of the verses of Christ’s prophecy about Peter’s Denial, I will show you that the rooster isn’t actually an animal or bird that crow, but rather a temple crier. This profound truth allows us to see the a deeper meaning of Peter’s denial.

The Rooster Becoming a Symbol of Peter

What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the name of the Apostle Peter? For many, it is his infamous denial of Yahshua, marked by the crowing of a rooster—a sound that fulfilled Christ’s prophecy about Peter’s threefold denial.

In modern Christianity, the rooster has become a symbol closely associated with Peter. Some churches even place a rooster on their rooftops. In various forms of media, Peter is often depicted with a rooster, even in heavenly settings. This widespread belief suggests that a rooster crowed to remind Peter of Christ’s prophecy.

The Prophecy of Jesus About Peter’s Denial

To set the stage, let’s read Matthew 26:33-35:

“33 Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble.’ 34 Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ 35 Peter said to Him, ‘Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And so said all the disciples.”

Parallel accounts of this story can be found in Mark 14:30, Luke 22:34, and John 13:38. But what if I told you that it wasn’t a rooster that crowed to mark Peter’s denial of Christ? By understanding the correct translation of these verses, we uncover an important truth obscured by mistranslation. This is not just a nice-to-know message but a revelation of what truly happened during Christ’s suffering and the lessons we can learn from it.

Was It Really a Rooster?

Now, was it really a rooster that crowed during the denial of Peter or could it be something (or someone) else? First, let me show you why it can’t be a rooster:

1. Prohibition of Roosters in Jerusalem: According to Mishnah Baba Kama 7.7, raising roosters and chickens was forbidden in Jerusalem because they could easily get dirty and potentially enter the Temple or even the Holy of Holies. So, if roosters were not allowed in the city, how could Peter hear one crowing? Some might argue that roosters outside the city were heard by Peter, but this is unlikely given the Gospel account’s specificity.
2. The Meaning of “Crow”: The word “crows” in Matthew 26:34 is “phōneō,” which can mean to sound, emit a sound, or speak loudly. This could refer to a cock crowing or a man crying out. The Greek word for rooster is “alektōr,” but the original Hebrew word is “gaver,” which can mean a rooster or a man.

The Rooster was the Temple Crier

Now, let’s clarify things further. The Greek word for rooster is “alektōr,” which simply means a cock or a rooster. However, the original Hebrew word for rooster is “gaver,” which can mean either a rooster or a man. When the Greek translators encountered the word “gaver,” they chose “alektōr,” meaning rooster, without considering the cultural and religious context of Jerusalem. After all, it made perfect sense to choose rooster, which crows. However, this choice obscures an important message.

In Hebrew, “gaver” was actually used to refer to the temple crier. During Christ’s time, there were no alarm clocks. This is often overlooked in our digital age, where telling time is easy. To help priests, Levites, and people keep track of their schedules, a designated person would climb to a high point in the Temple and loudly announce the time. This person, called the gaver or temple crier, would rouse the priests from their chambers and prepare them for the daily sacrifice. The temple crier earned the title “gaver” because he acted like a rooster.

According to scholars, the gaver would make three proclamations every morning:

1. “All the priests prepare to sacrifice!”
2. “All the Levites to their stations!”
3. “All the Israelites come to worship!”

When the Gospel writers recorded Christ’s prophecy about Peter’s denial, they didn’t need to explain the term “rooster” or “gaver” because their audience understood the context. It wasn’t a literal rooster that Christ was referring to, but rather the temple crier.

The Profound Effect of the Temple Crier on Peter

When Peter heard the words proclaimed by the gaver, it had a dramatic effect on him. He knew exactly what it meant. The gaver announced that the priests should prepare for sacrifice, and Peter realized that the sacrifice was Yahshua. This realization was so intense that he wept bitterly. He understood that he had given in too early, recognizing that the sacrifice was just beginning, and yet he had already denied Christ.

Lessons and Implications from the Rooster Crowing

With this in mind, what important implications and lessons must we understand?

• First, this further supports the idea that the New Testament was originally written in Hebrew, and the Greek manuscripts are translations of the original text.
• Second, when studying the word of God, we should consider the cultural and religious context.
• Third, this shows that there are still many things we should learn about the word of God. Just because we have traditionally accepted certain beliefs doesn’t make them automatically true.

This deeper insight into Peter’s denial not only corrects a common misconception but also enriches our appreciation of the biblical narrative and its profound messages. Let us strive to study Yahweh’s word with diligence, commitment, and a passion for truth.

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