Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.”
In this saying Jesus prophetically reveals Peter’s coming denial, showing the frail nature of man and the depth of divine knowledge. Peter, who for a moment was confident in his unshakable faith, would soon be tested by fear and weakness. The phrase “before the rooster crows” underscores the precision of the prophecy: it would happen in a very short time. Jesus does not say this to shame Peter, but to warn him and prepare him for the path of repentance. This saying reminds us that God sees our falling before we fall, but also prepares the possibility of rising again.