Topical Encyclopedia
The rooster, a domesticated bird known for its crowing at dawn, holds significant symbolic and narrative roles in the Bible. In biblical times, roosters were common in the regions of the Near East, and their crowing was a familiar sound marking the transition from night to day. The rooster is most notably mentioned in the New Testament, where it plays a crucial role in the events surrounding the Passion of Jesus Christ.
Biblical References:1.
Peter's Denial of Jesus: The most prominent mention of a rooster in the Bible is in the context of Peter's denial of Jesus. Jesus foretold that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed. This prophecy is recorded in all four Gospels, highlighting its importance in the narrative of Christ's Passion.
·
Matthew 26:34 : "Truly I tell you," Jesus declared, "this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
·
Mark 14:30 : "Truly I tell you," Jesus replied, "this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times."
·
Luke 22:34 : But Jesus replied, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me."
·
John 13:38 : Jesus answered, "Will you lay down your life for Me? Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
The fulfillment of this prophecy is a poignant moment in the Gospels, as Peter, despite his earlier protestations of loyalty, denies knowing Jesus three times. Immediately after his third denial, the rooster crows, reminding Peter of Jesus' words and leading him to weep bitterly in repentance (
Matthew 26:75,
Mark 14:72,
Luke 22:61-62,
John 18:27).
2.
Symbolism: The rooster's crowing serves as a symbol of vigilance and the coming of a new day. In the context of Peter's denial, it represents a moment of awakening and realization of one's own weaknesses and the need for repentance. The crowing of the rooster is a divine signal that marks the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy and serves as a call to spiritual alertness.
3.
Cultural Context: In the cultural context of the Bible, the rooster was a familiar animal, often associated with the start of a new day. Its crowing was a natural alarm clock for the people of the time, marking the end of night and the beginning of morning activities. This natural behavior of the rooster made it an apt symbol for the events surrounding Peter's denial, as it signified both a literal and metaphorical awakening.
4.
Lessons and Themes: The account of Peter's denial and the rooster's crowing teaches several important lessons. It highlights human frailty and the tendency to falter under pressure, even among the most devoted followers of Christ. It also underscores the importance of humility, repentance, and the grace of forgiveness. Peter's subsequent restoration and leadership in the early Church demonstrate the transformative power of Christ's forgiveness and the potential for redemption.
In summary, the rooster in the Bible is more than just a bird; it is a powerful symbol of human weakness, divine prophecy, and the hope of redemption. Its crowing serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance, repentance, and the ever-present possibility of a new beginning in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The male of the domestic fowl; a cock.
Greek
220. alektor -- arooster... a
rooster. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: alektor Phonetic Spelling:
(al-ek'-tore) Short Definition: a cock,
rooster Definition: a cock
...219. alektorophonia -- the crowing of arooster
... the crowing of arooster. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
alektorophonia Phonetic Spelling: (al-ek-tor-of-o-nee'-ah) Short Definition: cockcrow...
3733. ornis -- a bird, spec. arooster or hen
... arooster or hen. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ornis Phonetic
Spelling: (or'-nis) Short Definition: a bird, fowl, hen Definition: a bird, fowl...
Strong's Hebrew
4975. mothen -- loins... Word Origin from an unused word Definition loins NASB Word Usage back (1), body
(1), heart (1), herself (1), hips (1), loins (32),
rooster (1), side (1
...Library
Begins Preaching at Beech Grove. Debates with Elder Hiner. Amusing...
... church. I told him he might as well talk of a full-grownrooster, spurs
and all, going back into the shell that hatched it. For...
The Lord Our Dwelling Place
... If you were a great, big, strongrooster, able to take care of yourself,
I would not want you at all." Need I make the application?...
Striking Similes
... My love's like the steadfast sun. My lungs began to crow like chanticleer [chanticleer =
rooster]. My mind swayed idly like a water-lily in a lake....
Thesaurus
Rooster (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Rooster (13 Occurrences).
... Matthew 26:74 Then he began to
curse and to swear, "I don't know the man!" Immediately the
rooster crowed.
...Crow (9 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before
therooster crows, you will deny me three times." (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY...
Crows (8 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before
therooster crows, you will deny me three times." (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV)....
Deny (48 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before
therooster crows, you will deny me three times." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS...
Crowed (5 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:74 Then he began to curse and to swear, "I don't know the man!" Immediately
therooster crowed.... Mark 14:72 Therooster crowed the second time....
Remembered (120 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:75 Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, "Before the
rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and wept bitterly....
Wept (78 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:75 Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him, "Before the
rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and wept bitterly....
Twice (44 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:30 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you, that you today, even this
night, before therooster crows twice, you will deny me three times." (WEB...
Denied (34 Occurrences)
... Mark 14:68 But he denied it, saying, "I neither know, nor understand what you
are saying." He went out on the porch, and therooster crowed....
Tonight (23 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:34 Jesus said to him, "Most certainly I tell you that tonight, before
therooster crows, you will deny me three times." (WEB)....
Resources
What is the significance of the rooster crowing in regards to Peter denying Jesus three times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the rooster represent in Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus a myth? Is Jesus just a copy of the pagan gods of other ancient religions? | GotQuestions.orgRooster: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
