Derived from the root idea of sharpness or bitterness, the adverb πικρῶς (Strong’s Greek 4090) appears only twice in the New Testament, each time portraying the anguished response of Simon Peter after denying his Lord. The word intensifies the description of Peter’s weeping, capturing a depth of grief that is more than sadness—it is pain of soul, a sorrow that cuts and purifies.

Scriptural Occurrences

• Matthew 26:75 – “And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
• Luke 22:62 – “And he went outside and wept bitterly.”

Both Evangelists record exactly the same aftermath. By using πικρῶς rather than a simple adverb like “greatly,” the text underlines the intensity of Peter’s remorse and prepares the reader for his later restoration (John 21:15-19). The term functions as a hinge between failure and forgiveness, showing that genuine repentance is marked by heartfelt contrition.

Theological Significance

1. Depth of Repentance

Peter’s bitter tears illustrate “godly sorrow” that “produces repentance leading to salvation without regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10). The word πικρῶς highlights how conviction of sin reaches past the intellect into the affections, stirring a grief that longs for cleansing.

2. Fulfillment of Prophecy and Sovereign Foreknowledge

Peter’s bitter weeping follows the very prophecy Jesus gave earlier in the evening (Matthew 26:34; Luke 22:34). The fulfillment confirms Christ’s omniscience, yet the sorrow also demonstrates human responsibility. Peter owns his failure; the bitter tears carry no hint of self-justification.

3. Contrast with Judas Iscariot

Judas felt remorse (Matthew 27:3) but turned inward and perished; Peter’s bitter sorrow turned Godward and led to restoration. πικρῶς thus signals not despair but the beginning of renewal.

Historical and Cultural Setting

In first-century Jewish culture public weeping often accompanied mourning or repentance (Nehemiah 8:9; Esther 4:1). The verb “to weep” (κλαίω) together with πικρῶς places Peter’s response within that familiar framework of visible lament. Greek literature likewise used the term for piercing grief; for example, Homer speaks of warriors who “wept bitterly” over fallen comrades. Matthew and Luke employ a word their audiences would instantly recognize as denoting heartfelt, unabashed sorrow.

Pastoral and Ministry Application

• Restoring the Fallen Believer

The church must create space for πικρῶς-type repentance—tears that clear the way for grace. Galatians 6:1 instructs believers to “restore” those caught in trespass; Peter’s account models both the sinner’s contrition and the Savior’s reinstatement.

• Counseling and Spiritual Formation

Modern counseling sometimes downplays emotion, yet Scripture affirms that true repentance may include bitter weeping. Ministries engaged in discipleship can point to Peter to encourage honesty before God, ensuring grief finds its resolution in Christ’s forgiveness.

• Preaching on Denial and Witness

Peter’s tears warn against overconfidence. Jesus had said, “Simon, Simon, Satan has demanded to sift each of you like wheat” (Luke 22:31). Preachers may urge vigilance while also assuring hearers that failure is not final when met with sincere, bitter sorrow and faith in Christ.

Related Biblical Themes

• Bitterness Transformed

Hebrews 12:15 cautions against a “root of bitterness” that defiles. Peter’s πικρῶς is not corrosive bitterness but purifying sorrow. The same root word can lead either to resentment or redemption, depending on whether it is surrendered to God.

• Tears and Divine Response

Psalm 56:8 declares, “Put my tears in Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” Peter’s tears echo a biblical pattern in which God notes and answers the cries of His people (2 Kings 20:5; Isaiah 38:5).

• Sweetness following Bitterness

Revelation 10:9-10 describes a scroll “sweet as honey” yet “bitter” in the stomach, reminding readers that the gospel sometimes wounds before it heals. Peter’s night of bitter weeping precedes breakfast fellowship beside the Sea of Galilee.

Implications for Contemporary Discipleship

1. Encourage unhindered confession; surface-level apologies seldom yield lasting change.
2. Hold forth Christ’s certain willingness to restore repentant sinners.
3. Teach that genuine sorrow is not incompatible with faith but is often its doorway.
4. Warn believers who, like Peter, may underestimate the power of fear or social pressure.

Conclusion

Strong’s Greek 4090, though scant in occurrences, carries weighty pastoral and theological value. Peter’s bitter tears frame the great narrative of denial, repentance, and restoration, illustrating that godly sorrow, however painful, is a grace-filled passage leading the repentant back to fellowship with the risen Lord.