Cock crowing

COCK CROWING. When referring to time, this is the third of the four watches into which the Romans divided the night: evening, midnight, cock crowing, morning. Cock crowing was between midnight and 3 a.m. (Matt.26.34; Mark.13.35). NIV reads “rooster.”

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COCKCROWING (ἀλεκτοροφωνία, G231, the crowing of a cock). The name of the third watch of the night, from twelve to three a.m. In the time of Christ the night was divided by the Romans into four watches: late, midnight, cockcrowing, and early. Each of the evangelists refers to the crowing of the cock in connection with Peter’s denial of Jesus (Matt 26:34, 74; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)

An indefinite hour of the night between midnight and morning (Mr 13:35), referred to by all the evangelists in their account of Peter’s denial (Mt 26:34,74; Mr 14:30; Lu 22:34; Joh 13:38). It is derived from the habit of the cock to crow especially toward morning.

See Cock.