The
Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.” He went out, and wept bitterly.
Luke 22:61-62
Luke 22 [59.] After about one hour passed, another confidently affirmed, saying, “Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean!”
Luke 22 [60.] But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned, and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word, how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times.” He went out, and wept bitterly.
Luke 22 [63.] The men who held Jesus mocked him and beat him. Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?” They spoke many other things against him, insulting him.
Meaning:
Peter has denied Jesus for the third time. All four Gospels record his fall, but only Luke tells us that at the very moment the rooster crowed, Jesus turned and looked at him. It is one of the most moving scenes in the Bible, and the turning point of Peter’s life.
- “The Lord turned, and looked at Peter”
Jesus was being held by guards in the high priest’s house, perhaps being led across the courtyard. Though he was the one on trial, his thoughts were on his disciple. Luke does not describe the look, but the effect shows what it was: not a glare of anger, but a look of sorrow and love that pierced Peter’s heart. Earlier Jesus had said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you” (Luke 22:31-32).
- “Then Peter remembered the Lord’s word”
Peter had boasted that he would never fail. Now he remembered Jesus’ warning: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times” (Matthew 26:75). Mark records the same moment (Mark 14:72). Everything Jesus said had come true, including the painful truth about Peter.
- “He went out, and wept bitterly”
Peter’s tears were the tears of real repentance. Paul writes that “godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10). Judas also “felt remorse” (Matthew 27:3), but despaired. Peter wept, and turned back to the Lord who loved him. “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
- Restored
Peter’s story did not end in that courtyard. After the resurrection the angel said, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter” (Mark 16:6-7), and the risen Lord “appeared to Cephas” (1 Corinthians 15:5). The disciple who denied Jesus three times was welcomed back, forgiven and sent out again, and he became a bold apostle who preached Christ before the very council that had condemned him (Acts 4:13).
The Significance of Luke 22:61-62
- The look of grace
Jesus does not abandon those who fail him. His look brings conviction, but also hope.
- Tears that lead to life
Grief over sin is good when it leads us back to God. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins” (1 John 1:9).
Cross-References:
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." Matthew’s account.
2 Corinthians 7:10: "For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, which brings no regret." Godly sorrow.
Psalm 34:18: "Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit." God near the broken-hearted.
Conclusion: As the rooster crowed after Peter’s third denial, the Lord turned and looked at him. Peter remembered Jesus’ warning, went out and wept bitterly. Luke’s account shows that Jesus, even while on trial, cared for his failing disciple, and that Peter’s bitter tears were the beginning of repentance and restoration. No failure is final for those who turn back to the Lord.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible