Did the rooster crow once or twice? (Part II)

In my previous post (https://medium.com/@azimmamanov/did-the-rooster-crow-once-or-twice-7f6292047c76) I have researched with manuscripts variations related to Mark 14:30. In this post, I would like to look into the variations for Mark 14:72:

Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. ([fn] Some early manuscripts do not have the second time.) Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice ([fn] Some early manuscripts do not have twice.) you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept. (NIV)

We have two places in one verse marked as having variations.

Both words are present in the Majority Text:

«KAI EK DEUTEROU ALEKTWR EFWNHSEN KAI ANEMNHSQH O PETROS TORHMA O EIPEN AUTW O IHSOUS OTI PRIN ALEKTORA FWNHSAI DIS APARNHSH ME TRIS KAI EPIBALWN EKLAIEN»

The Majority Text is supported by Jerome’s Vulgate:

«Et statim gallus iterum cantavit. Et recordatus est Petrus verbi, quod dixerat eiJesus: Priusquam gallus cantet bis, ter me negabis. Et coepit flere.»

Regarding Greek uncial manuscripts, both words are absent in Codex Sinaiticus (4 CE). I am not sure about Codex Ephraemi (5CE), but let’s suppose it doesn’t have the words whatsoever either.

Codex Vaticanus (4 CE) has both words:

Codex Alexandrinus (5 CE) has them both as well:

Codex Bezae (5 CE) has the first word, but omits quite a long passage (it’s the words Jesus had told him): “…Before the rooster crows (twice) you will disown me three times.” So, this manuscript cannot be a witness for either presence nor absence of the word “twice”:

Codex Washingtonianus (4/5 CE) has the first word but does not have the second one:

Codex Basilensis (8 CE) has them both:

Codex Regius (8 CE) has another word instead the first one; and I don’t know what that word means. But the second word is there:

Codex Seidelianus I (9 век):

Codex Cyprius (9 CE) has them both:

Codex Campianus (9 CE) has them both:

Macedoniensis (9 CE) has them both:

Codex Sangalensis (9 CE) has the first word, but omits the second one:

Codex Nanianus (9 CE) has them both:

Athous Dionysiou (9 CE):

Codex Coridethianus (9 CE) has them both:

Codex Lavrensis (9–10 CE) has them both:

Vaticanus 354 (10 CE) has them both:

Codex Monacensis (10 CE) has them both:

Tischendorfianus IV (10 CE) has them both:

Here is the summary of the findings related to Greek uncial manuscripts:

Greek uncials not covered are: Codices Rossanensis (6 CE), Petropolitanus (9 CE), Mosquensis (9 CE), Seidelianus II (9 CE), uncials 0211 (7 CE), 047 (8 CE).

As you can see, Greek uncials overwhelmingly support authenticity of both of the words. I do not see valid basis for putting those footnotes by some Bible versions raising doubts in originality of the words.

I found two patristic citations related to the verse.

Tatian (2 CE):

Then began Simon to curse, and to swear, I know not this man [15] whom ye have mentioned. And immediately, while he was speaking, the cock crew [16] twice. And in that hour Jesus turned, he being without, and looked stedfastly at Cephas. And Simon remembered the word of our Lord, which he said unto him, [17, 18] Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Simon went forth without, and wept bitterly.

Please note that Tatian put “twice”, not “the second time”.

John Chrysostom (5 CE) (in Russian):

Но как же могут быть справедливы слова Матфея, когда он повествует, что Иисус сказал: истинно говорю тебе, что в эту ночь, прежде нежели пропоет петух, трижды отречешься от Меня [Мф. 26:34], — тогда как Марк, сказав о троекратном отвержении, упоминает, что тогда петух запел во второй раз [Мк. 14:72]? Справедливы вполне, и здесь нет никакого противоречия. Так как петух в каждый прием обыкновенно кричит по три и четыре раза, то Марк и говорит об этом, желая показать, что и крик петуха не удержал Петра от падения и не привел ему на память обещания его. Таким образом, и то, и другое справедливо. Прежде нежели петух успел кончить первый прием, Петр отрекся трижды. И когда Христос привел ему на память грех, он не осмелился плакать явно, чтобы по слезам не быть обвиненным, но, выйдя вон, плакал горько.

Источник: Гомилии на Евангелие от Матфея 85.1 -2. TLG 2060. 152. 58. 758.32–759.12.

Please note the way John tries to harmonize the Gospels on this account.

Please see Part III here: https://medium.com/@azimmamanov/did-the-rooster-crow-once-or-twice-part-iii-ea6a7e3c5325