Thomas II
Contributor
In the Gospels, "rooster crow" (Greek: gallicinium) is used as a time marker, specifically referring to the third watch of the night in ancient Jerusalem, which was also the time when the Romans used trumpet calls to signal the change of guard. While the phrase is often understood as the rooster's crow, it actually points to the Roman military's timekeeping practice of dividing the night into four watches.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
In the first century AD, the Roman military divided the night into four watches: the first (6 PM - 9 PM), the second (9 PM - midnight), the third (midnight - 3 AM), and the fourth (3 AM - 6 AM).
The third watch, from midnight to 3 AM, was known as the "cockcrow" or "rooster crow" watch. This is because the crowing of roosters was often heard during this time, and it was used as a signal for the change of guard in Roman military camps.
Jesus uses the "rooster crow" as a time marker in the Gospels, particularly in the accounts of Peter's denial.
The story of Peter denying Jesus three times is closely tied to the "rooster crow." Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him before the rooster crowed, which came true.
While the phrase is often associated with the rooster's crow, it's important to understand that it represents a broader time period and is connected to the Roman military's timekeeping practices.
In essence, "rooster crow" in the Gospels is not just about a rooster's cry; it's a reference to a specific time of night and the Roman military's way of dividing the night into watches.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
In the first century AD, the Roman military divided the night into four watches: the first (6 PM - 9 PM), the second (9 PM - midnight), the third (midnight - 3 AM), and the fourth (3 AM - 6 AM).
The third watch, from midnight to 3 AM, was known as the "cockcrow" or "rooster crow" watch. This is because the crowing of roosters was often heard during this time, and it was used as a signal for the change of guard in Roman military camps.
Jesus uses the "rooster crow" as a time marker in the Gospels, particularly in the accounts of Peter's denial.
The story of Peter denying Jesus three times is closely tied to the "rooster crow." Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him before the rooster crowed, which came true.
While the phrase is often associated with the rooster's crow, it's important to understand that it represents a broader time period and is connected to the Roman military's timekeeping practices.
In essence, "rooster crow" in the Gospels is not just about a rooster's cry; it's a reference to a specific time of night and the Roman military's way of dividing the night into watches.
