Peter
Israelite / Jew Jewish, a fisherman of Bethsaida who lived in Capernaum · Life of Christ · New Testament
- Also called
- Simon, Simon Peter, Cephas, Simon Barjona
- Name means
- 'a stone' or 'rock' (Cephas in Aramaic, John 1:42)
- Role
- Apostle; leading spokesman of the Twelve
- When
- c. AD 28 - 60s
What they did
A Galilean fisherman called by Jesus, he confessed Jesus as the Christ, denied him three times, was restored by the risen Lord, preached at Pentecost and opened the door of the gospel to the Gentiles at the house of Cornelius.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
His fall and restoration show the grace of Christ, and God used him to preach the first gospel sermon and to welcome the first Gentile believers into the church.
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
Bible references
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. John 1:42 (KJV)
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:16-18 (KJV)
And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out, and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62 (KJV)
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. John 21:15-17 (KJV)
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: Acts 2:14 (KJV)
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. Acts 10:34-35 (KJV)
Family
- Father
- Jona (John 1:42; 'Jonas', John 21:15)
- Brothers / sisters
- Andrew
He was married; Jesus healed his wife's mother (Mark 1:30-31), and Paul mentions him leading about a wife (1 Corinthians 9:5). Traditionally the author of 1 and 2 Peter.
A fuller character study, with strengths, failures, lessons and a relationship diagram:
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