Study Dictionary
Cock-crowing
Cock-crowing [EBD]
In our Lord's time the Jews had adopted the Greek and Roman division of the night into four watches, each consisting of three hours, the first beginning at six o'clock in the evening (Luke 12:38; Matt. 14:25; Mark 6:48). But the ancient division, known as the first and second cock-crowing, was still retained. The cock usually crows several times soon after midnight (this is the first crowing), and again at the dawn of day (and this is the second crowing). Mark mentions (14:30) the two cock-crowings. Matthew (26:34) alludes to that only which was emphatically the cock-crowing, viz, the second.
COCK-CROWING [ISBE]
COCK-CROWING - kok'-kro-ing (alektorophonia): An indefinite hour of the night between midnight and morning (Mk 13:35), referred to by all the evangelists in their account of Peter's denial (Mt 26:34,74; Mk 14:30; Lk 22:34; Jn 13:38). It is derived from the habit of the cock to crow especially toward morning.See COCK.