Welcome to “Ehrman Errs,” a blog series devoted to using our conversational AI to refute each alleged biblical contradiction that is posed in the article on Bart Ehrman’s website: 50 Contradictions in the Bible: The Biggest, Most Shocking Differences.
Today’s alleged contradiction:
#22 – How Many Times Will the Rooster Crow Before Peter Denies Jesus?
A subtle and funny contradiction emerges in the accounts of Peter’s denial of Jesus and the role of the rooster’s crowing. In Mark 14:30, Jesus predicts: “Truly I tell you, today – yes, tonight – before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times.” True to the prediction, Mark’s Gospel records the rooster crowing twice as Peter denies Jesus three times (Mark 14:68, 72). In contrast, the other Gospels — Matthew (26:34), Luke (22:34), and John (13:38) — simplify the prediction, stating that Peter will deny Jesus three times before the rooster crows, with no mention of a second crowing. Jesus’ birth stories in Matthew and Luke contain several examples of the contradictions in the Bible that scholars have noted since the work of Enlightenment thinkers in the 18th century. Let’s take a look!
How Does Ehrman Err?
Bart Ehrman is right to observe that the Gospels record the rooster’s crow differently. However, the difference is not a contradiction — it’s a divergence in level of detail, not in substance. When viewed carefully and within the historical and literary context, the various Gospel accounts harmonize without error or conflict.
1. What the Texts Actually Say
- Mark 14:30 (ESV):
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.’” - Matthew 26:34 (ESV):
“Jesus said to him, ‘Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’” - Luke 22:34 (ESV):
“Jesus said, ‘I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.’” - John 13:38 (ESV):
“Jesus answered, ‘Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.’”
2. Understanding the Cultural and Historical Background
According to GotQuestions.org, “Matthew 26:34, Luke 22:34, and John 13:38 all record Jesus telling Peter, ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.’ Mark words it differently… saying, ‘before the rooster crows twice you will deny me three times’” (Mark 14:30). Mark’s account, they explain, simply includes an extra detail that the others leave out. When Peter made his first denial, “he denied it… and the rooster crowed” (Mark 14:68). Later, after his third denial, “immediately the rooster crowed a second time” (Mark 14:72).
The “rooster crowing” was also a common way to refer to a time period in the night — roughly between 3 a.m. and dawn. Thus, the expression “before the rooster crows” could mean “before early morning comes.” Matthew, Luke, and John use the phrase idiomatically, while Mark adds the concrete detail of two literal crowings.
3. Why the Difference Isn’t a Contradiction
The Gospels often select, summarize, or expand details for theological or literary purposes. Mark, generally regarded as having a more vivid and detailed style, includes the double crow to emphasize Peter’s anguish and the exactness of Jesus’ prediction. The other three writers simply compress the narrative — saying “before the rooster crows” — which still encompasses the same event sequence. Both statements are true:
- Before the rooster crowed twice (Mark),
- It had, of course, already crowed once (Matthew/Luke/John).
There is no logical contradiction — just one account that provides more precise timing than the others.
4. Theological Significance
Far more important than the bird’s crow is what it symbolizes. At the Last Supper (see “The Last Supper” by All About God Ministries), Jesus foretold both Judas’s betrayal and Peter’s denial — not to shame them but to show His divine foreknowledge and sovereign grace:
“I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:32, ESV)
This moment demonstrates that even when human faith falters, Christ remains faithful. After the resurrection, Jesus restores Peter (John 21:15–19), proving that forgiveness and restoration are real for all who repent.
5. Summary
- Mark’s Gospel mentions two crowings; the others simply say “before the rooster crows” — a general idiom.
- These are complementary details, not conflicting ones.
- The central truth: Jesus’ prophecy was perfectly fulfilled, highlighting both His omniscience and Peter’s need — and ours — for grace.
In short, what Bart Ehrman calls a “contradiction” is actually an example of gospel harmony. The various evangelists, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16), presented the same historical truth with different levels of narrative detail — all pointing to one powerful reality:
“The Lord turned and looked at Peter… and he went out and wept bitterly.” (Luke 22:61–62, ESV)
The rooster’s crow reminds us that even in our darkest hour of denial, Christ offers the dawn of forgiveness to all who turn back to Him.