Peter, who had always been so bold and outspoken, found himself a spectator at the trial of Jesus. Sitting in the courtyard, with a crowd of people near a fire, to keep warm, a servant girl looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him!” “Woman, I don’t know him,” he responded. A little later, someone else saw him and said, “You’re also one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter stated. Still later, another said, “Surely this fellow was with him, because he’s a Galilean.” “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Peter retorted. Just as he was saying that, a rooster crowed. Jesus turned and looked directly at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him earlier, “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
