John 13:38 sets the stage. Jesus predicts that Peter will repeatedly deny being his follower, and will do so three times. What he said came to pass.

After Jesus was betrayed by Judas, and handed over to the authorities, Peter feared for his own life. He wished to escape arrest and execution. In order to do so, he repeatedly lied to those around him about this true identity.

Peter’s first denial is recorded in Chapter 18, verse 17: “The woman said to Peter, ‘You are not also one of this man’s disciples, are you?’ He said, “‘I am not.’” Peter does this in the dim light provided by a charcoal fire. This was an important clue for the ancient reader. However, with our modern eyes, we may miss the intended connection.

Later in the same chapter, Peter denied his affiliation with Jesus two more times. Immediately, after the third, the “cock crowed.”

Like most folks, I have always assumed that this was a rooster announcing the dawn.

However, I’m now beginning to question that assumption. Why is this so? It is because there is another definition for “cockcrow.”

This was a word used for an early morning trumpet blast from the Temple in Jerusalem. It heralded the removal from the altar of ashes from the last burnt offering made and gave notice of the preparation of a new sacrifice. (This explanation comes from the Mishnah, which is the earliest compilation of rabbinic oral law).

After Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection, in John’s Gospel, he appears to the disciples three times. In Chapter 21, Jesus greets them over a meal of bread and freshly caught fish by — you guessed it — a charcoal fire.

Remember that earlier, Peter had denied Jesus three times beside a charcoal fire. Here Jesus questions Peter three times in the presence of a charcoal fire. He asked Peter if he loved him, three times. Peter felt hurt by the repeated questioning.

This seemed to be an atonement for his earlier denials.

One can interpret the charcoal fires as having a connection with the sacrificial burnt offerings within the Jewish Temple.

Jesus was sacrificed. Peter would soon also be a sacrificial witness to the Gospel as well.

And the bird was nowhere to be found.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 30 years.