THE ROOSTER CROWED THE SECOND TIME…
66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him.
“You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about,” he said, and went out into the entryway.
69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, “This fellow is one of them.” 70 Again he denied it.
After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
71 He began to call down curses, and he swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re talking about.”
72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. Mark 14:66-72
Caught in the act! It’s easy to see, in this little drama playing out in the courtyard of the High Priest’s house, that Peter had not taken Jesus’ warning seriously. He wasn’t even alerted when the cock crowed after his first denial. All he did was slink around, trying not to be noticed. Unfortunately, every time he opened his mouth, his Galilean accent gave him away Perhaps his appearance also revealed his identity.
What were the bystanders who accused him trying to do? Incriminate him with Jesus? Find him guilty by association? Peter didn’t want to be identified with Jesus in case he was also sucked into the mess Jesus was in. His blustering denial surely did not convince anyone. However, since it was Passover, being a Galilean in Jerusalem was nothing unusual. Perhaps some of them did believe him.
What went on in Peter’s soul in that moment when the rooster crowed a second time? Perhaps, in that split second, the noise in the courtyard ceased and the crowing of the rooster could be clearly heard echoing across the city. Perhaps, in that moment, the sound penetrated Peter’s consciousness and he remembered – too late. Perhaps Jesus’ words sounded so loudly in his mind that he stopped caring about what the bystanders were saying. Overwhelmed with the guilt of what he had just done, he broke down and wept.
He was exposed; he was undone. All his vehement protests came to nothing. He had denied his Master and he could not take back his words. Worst of all, Jesus had overheard his words, accompanied by swearing and cursing. Peter would never forget the look in Jesus’ eyes – uncovering his guilt, his shame, his remorse, his grief. In an instant Jesus’ eyes undressed Peter’s soul and penetrated the darkness of his heart. His look was not, “I told you so!” or “Peter, how could you?” It was, “I see your heart. I know you, Peter. Now know yourself.”