The Meaning of Luke 22:34 Explained

Luke 22:34

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

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

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

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

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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

What does Luke 22:34 Mean?

Context Summary

Luke 22:24-34 - Disciples Who Grieve Their Lord
It is probable that this dispute about priority took place on their entering the supper room. It could hardly have taken place after the tender scene of John 13:1-38. But doubtless the irritated feelings which that contention engendered prepared the way for the testing, sifting and ultimate fall of Peter. It is the little waves that eventually become the mighty billows which wreck the big ships and engulf human lives.
Satan cannot assail us until he has asked and obtained permission, Luke 22:31. God does not tempt, though He permits us to be tempted, as in the case of Job; but with the temptation there is always a way of escape, if we wait on Him, 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. How often does our Lord anticipate our trial hours by His prayers, Luke 22:32! We owe it to them, either that we do not fall, or that, having fallen, we turn back. This is the best use we can make even of our failures; they teach us humility, pity, and how to help others. How little do we know ourselves! See Luke 22:33-34. [source]

Chapter Summary: Luke 22

1  The leaders conspire against Jesus
3  Satan prepares Judas to betray him
7  The apostles prepare the Passover
19  Jesus institutes his holy supper;
21  covertly foretells of the traitor;
24  rebukes the rest of his apostles from ambition;
31  assures Peter his faith should not fail;
34  and yet he should deny him thrice
39  He prays in the mount, and sweats blood;
47  is betrayed with a kiss;
50  he heals Malchus' ear;
54  he is thrice denied by Peter;
63  shamefully abused;
66  and confesses himself to be the Son of God

Greek Commentary for Luke 22:34

Until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me [εως τρις με απαρνησηι ειδεναι]
“Thrice” is in all four Gospels here for they all give this warning to Peter (Mark 14:30; Matthew 26:34; Luke 22:34; John 18:38). Peter will even deny knowing Jesus (ειδεναι — eidenai). [source]
Peter []
The only instance of Christ's directly addressing him as Peter. He refers to him by that name, Mark 16:7. [source]
The cock []
See on Matthew 26:34 [source]
Deny []
See on Mark 14:30. [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Luke 22:34

Luke 22:34 Until thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me [εως τρις με απαρνησηι ειδεναι]
“Thrice” is in all four Gospels here for they all give this warning to Peter (Mark 14:30; Matthew 26:34; Luke 22:34; John 18:38). Peter will even deny knowing Jesus (ειδεναι — eidenai). [source]
Luke 22:57 I know him not [ουκ οιδα αυτον]
Just as Jesus had predicted that he would do (Luke 22:34). [source]
John 13:38 Wilt thou lay down? [τησεισ]
Jesus picks up Peter‘s very words and challenges his boasted loyalty. See such repetition in John 16:16, John 16:31; John 21:17. Shall not crow Aorist active subjunctive of πωνεω — phōneō to use the voice, used of animals and men. Note strong double negative ου μη — ou mē Mark adds δις — dis (twice). John‘s report is almost identical with that in Luke 22:34. The other disciples joined in Peter‘s boast (Mark 14:31; Matthew 26:35). Till thou hast denied Future middle indicative or aorist middle subjunctive second person singular (form identical) with compound conjunction εως ου — heōs hou (until which time), “till thou deny or deniest” (futurum exactum needless). Peter is silenced for the present. They all “sat astounded and perplexed” (Dods). [source]

What do the individual words in Luke 22:34 mean?

- And He said I tell you Peter not will crow today [the] rooster until three times Me you will deny not knowing
δὲ εἶπεν Λέγω σοι Πέτρε οὐ φωνήσει σήμερον ἀλέκτωρ ἕως τρίς με ἀπαρνήσῃ 〈μὴ〉 εἰδέναι

  - 
Parse: Article, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
εἶπεν  He  said 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: λέγω  
Sense: to speak, say.
Λέγω  I  tell 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: λέγω 
Sense: to say, to speak.
Πέτρε  Peter 
Parse: Noun, Vocative Masculine Singular
Root: Πέτρος  
Sense: one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.
φωνήσει  will  crow 
Parse: Verb, Future Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: φωνέω 
Sense: to sound, emit a sound, to speak.
σήμερον  today 
Parse: Adverb
Root: σήμερον  
Sense: this (very) day).
ἀλέκτωρ  [the]  rooster 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀλέκτωρ  
Sense: a cock, or male of any bird, a rooster.
ἕως  until 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: ἕως  
Sense: till, until.
τρίς  three  times 
Parse: Adverb
Root: τρίς  
Sense: thrice.
με  Me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Accusative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
ἀπαρνήσῃ  you  will  deny 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Subjunctive Middle, 2nd Person Singular
Root: ἀπαρνέομαι  
Sense: to deny.
εἰδέναι  knowing 
Parse: Verb, Perfect Infinitive Active
Root: οἶδα  
Sense: to see.