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Person

Simon Peter

Also called Cephas, Simeon

An imagined portrait of Peter in the style of a tinted engraving
An imagined, stylized portrait. No one knows what Peter looked like. AI-generated
ManPEE-ter

A Galilean fisherman who becomes the leading figure among Jesus's twelve disciples, also called Simon and Cephas; in Acts he is a leading voice of the early church in Jerusalem.

See Matthew 4:18, Matthew 10:2, John 1:42, Acts 2:14.

Keys and a net marks Peter in the reading view: “I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven”; a fisherman called to fish for people (Matthew 16:19, Matthew 4:19).

A realistic AI imagining of Peter

The same AI portrait re-imagined as a photograph. It is no more accurate than the stylized version: no one knows what Peter looked like.

Mentioned in 175 verses across 9 books, first in Matthew 4:18. The verses below are the ones linked to this person (the Theographic dataset, with our sourced corrections).

In these stories

In the Bible

All 175 verses, in Bible order. Text from the Berean Standard Bible; verse numbers follow the KJV.

Matthew

  • Matthew 4:18

    As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

  • Matthew 8:14

    When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, He saw Peter’s mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever.

  • Matthew 10:2

    These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;

  • Matthew 14:28

    “Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”

  • Matthew 14:29

    “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.

  • Matthew 15:15

    Peter said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.”

  • Matthew 16:16

    Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

  • Matthew 16:17

    Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.

  • Matthew 16:18

    And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

  • Matthew 16:22

    Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!”

  • Matthew 16:23

    But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

  • Matthew 17:1

    After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

  • Matthew 17:4

    Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters —one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

  • Matthew 17:24

    After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax came to Peter and asked, “Does your Teacher pay the two drachmas?”

  • Matthew 17:25

    “Yes,” he answered. When Peter entered the house, Jesus preempted him. “What do you think, Simon?” He asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs and taxes: from their own sons, or from others?”

  • Matthew 17:26

    “From others,” Peter answered. “Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus declared.

  • Matthew 18:21

    Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

  • Matthew 19:27

    “Look,” Peter replied, “we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”

  • Matthew 26:33

    Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

  • Matthew 26:35

    Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

  • Matthew 26:37

    He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.

  • Matthew 26:40

    Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter.

  • Matthew 26:58

    But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

  • Matthew 26:69

    Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.

  • Matthew 26:73

    After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.”

  • Matthew 26:75

    Then 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.

Mark

  • Mark 1:16

    As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.

  • Mark 1:29

    As soon as Jesus and His companions had left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew.

  • Mark 1:36

    Simon and his companions went to look for Him,

  • Mark 3:16

    These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter),

  • Mark 5:37

    And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.

  • Mark 8:29

    “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.”

  • Mark 8:32

    He spoke this message quite frankly, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.

  • Mark 8:33

    But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

  • Mark 9:2

    After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them.

  • Mark 9:5

    Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters —one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

  • Mark 10:28

    Peter began to say to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You.”

  • Mark 11:21

    Peter remembered it and said, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree You cursed has withered.”

  • Mark 13:3

    While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,

  • Mark 14:29

    Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I never will.”

  • Mark 14:33

    He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and began to be deeply troubled and distressed.

  • Mark 14:37

    Then Jesus returned and found them sleeping. “Simon, are you asleep?” He asked. “Were you not able to keep watch for one hour?

  • Mark 14:54

    Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the officers and warmed himself by the fire.

  • Mark 14:66

    While Peter was in the courtyard below, one of the servant girls of the high priest came down

  • Mark 14:67

    and saw him warming himself there. She looked at Peter and said, “You also were with Jesus the Nazarene.”

  • Mark 14:70

    But he denied it again. After a little while, those standing nearby said once more to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you too are a Galilean.”

  • Mark 14:72

    And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

  • Mark 16:7

    But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him, just as He told you.’”

Luke

  • Luke 5:4

    When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.”

  • Luke 5:5

    “Master,” Simon replied, “we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.”

  • Luke 5:8

    When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.”

  • Luke 5:10

    and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”

  • Luke 6:14

    Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

  • Luke 8:45

    “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. But they all denied it. “Master,” said Peter, “the people are crowding and pressing against You.”

  • Luke 8:51

    When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.

  • Luke 9:20

    “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

  • Luke 9:28

    About eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took with Him Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray.

  • Luke 9:32

    Meanwhile Peter and his companions were overcome by sleep, but when they awoke, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with Him.

  • Luke 9:33

    As Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters —one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

  • Luke 12:41

    “Lord,” said Peter, “are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?”

  • Luke 18:28

    “Look,” said Peter, “we have left all we had to follow You.”

  • Luke 22:8

    Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover.”

  • Luke 22:31

    Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat.

  • Luke 22:34

    But Jesus replied, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.”

  • Luke 22:54

    Then they seized Jesus, led Him away, and took Him into the house of the high priest. And Peter followed at a distance.

  • Luke 22:55

    When those present had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them.

  • Luke 22:58

    A short time later, someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.”

  • Luke 22:60

    “Man, I do not know what you are talking about,” Peter replied. While he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

  • Luke 22:61

    And the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word that the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”

  • Luke 22:62

    And he went outside and wept bitterly.

  • Luke 24:12

    Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

  • Luke 24:34

    and saying, “The Lord has indeed risen and has appeared to Simon!”

John

  • John 1:40

    Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus.

  • John 1:41

    He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).

  • John 1:42

    Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

  • John 1:44

    Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.

  • John 6:8

    One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,

  • John 6:68

    Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.

  • John 13:6

    He came to Simon Peter, who asked Him, “Lord, are You going to wash my feet?”

  • John 13:8

    “Never shall You wash my feet!” Peter told Him. Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me.”

  • John 13:9

    “Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not only my feet, but my hands and my head as well!”

  • John 13:24

    So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus which one He was talking about.

  • John 13:36

    “Lord, where are You going?” Simon Peter asked. Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now, but you will follow later.”

  • John 13:37

    “Lord,” said Peter, “why can’t I follow You now? I will lay down my life for You.”

  • John 18:10

    Then Simon Peter drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.

  • John 18:11

    “Put your sword back in its sheath!” Jesus said to Peter. “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given Me?”

  • John 18:15

    Now Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he also went with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.

  • John 18:16

    But Peter stood outside at the door. Then the disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in.

  • John 18:17

    At this, the servant girl watching the door said to Peter, “Aren’t you also one of this man’s disciples?” “I am not,” he answered.

  • John 18:18

    Because it was cold, the servants and officers were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to keep warm. And Peter was also standing with them, warming himself.

  • John 18:25

    Simon Peter was still standing and warming himself. So they asked him, “Aren’t you also one of His disciples?” He denied it and said, “I am not.”

  • John 18:26

    One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”

  • John 18:27

    Peter denied it once more, and immediately a rooster crowed.

  • John 20:2

    So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,” she said, “and we do not know where they have put Him!”

  • John 20:3

    Then Peter and the other disciple set out for the tomb.

  • John 20:4

    The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.

  • John 20:6

    Simon Peter arrived just after him. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.

  • John 21:2

    Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.

  • John 21:3

    Simon Peter told them, “I am going fishing.” “We will go with you,” they said. So they went out and got into the boat, but caught nothing that night.

  • John 21:7

    Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it) and jumped into the sea.

  • John 21:11

    So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many, the net was not torn.

  • John 21:15

    When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”

  • John 21:16

    Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.”

  • John 21:17

    Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

  • John 21:20

    Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper to ask, “Lord, who is going to betray You?”

  • John 21:21

    When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Acts

  • Acts 1:13

    When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

  • Acts 1:15

    In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (a gathering of about a hundred and twenty) and said,

  • Acts 2:14

    Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words.

  • Acts 2:37

    When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

  • Acts 2:38

    Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • Acts 3:1

    One afternoon Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

  • Acts 3:3

    When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.

  • Acts 3:4

    Peter looked directly at him, as did John. “Look at us!” said Peter.

  • Acts 3:6

    But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!”

  • Acts 3:11

    While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade.

  • Acts 3:12

    And when Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you surprised by this? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?

  • Acts 4:8

    Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of the people!

  • Acts 4:13

    When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

  • Acts 4:19

    But Peter and John replied, “Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God’s sight to listen to you rather than God.

  • Acts 5:3

    Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?

  • Acts 5:8

    “Tell me,” said Peter, “is this the price you and your husband got for the land?” “Yes,” she answered, “that is the price.”

  • Acts 5:9

    “How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Peter replied. “Look, the feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”

  • Acts 5:15

    As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.

  • Acts 5:29

    But Peter and the other apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men.

  • Acts 8:14

    When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them.

  • Acts 8:20

    But Peter replied, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!

  • Acts 9:32

    As Peter traveled throughout the area, he went to visit the saints in Lydda.

  • Acts 9:34

    “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you! Get up and put away your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up,

  • Acts 9:38

    Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to urge him, “Come to us without delay.”

  • Acts 9:39

    So Peter got up and went with them. On his arrival, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood around him, weeping and showing him the tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

  • Acts 9:40

    Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down and prayed, and turning toward her body, he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up.

  • Acts 10:5

    Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter.

  • Acts 10:9

    The next day at about the sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter went up on the roof to pray.

  • Acts 10:13

    Then a voice said to him: “Get up, Peter, kill and eat!”

  • Acts 10:14

    “No, Lord!” Peter answered. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

  • Acts 10:17

    While Peter was puzzling over the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon’s house and approached the gate.

  • Acts 10:18

    They called out to ask if Simon called Peter was staying there.

  • Acts 10:19

    As Peter continued to reflect on the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.

  • Acts 10:21

    So Peter went down to the men and said, “Here am I, the one you are looking for. Why have you come?”

  • Acts 10:23

    So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa.

  • Acts 10:25

    As Peter was about to enter, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet to worship him.

  • Acts 10:26

    But Peter helped him up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”

  • Acts 10:32

    Therefore send to Joppa for Simon, who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, by the sea.’

  • Acts 10:34

    Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,

  • Acts 10:44

    While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.

  • Acts 10:45

    All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.

  • Acts 10:46

    For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

  • Acts 11:2

    So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers took issue with him

  • Acts 11:4

    But Peter began and explained to them the whole sequence of events:

  • Acts 11:7

    Then I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat.’

  • Acts 11:13

    He told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.

  • Acts 12:3

    And seeing that this pleased the Jews, Herod proceeded to seize Peter during the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

  • Acts 12:5

    So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was fervently praying to God for him.

  • Acts 12:6

    On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison.

  • Acts 12:7

    Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.

  • Acts 12:11

    Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know for sure that the Lord has sent His angel and rescued me from Herod’s grasp and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating.”

  • Acts 12:13

    He knocked at the outer gate, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer it.

  • Acts 12:14

    When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed that she forgot to open the gate, but ran inside and announced, “Peter is standing at the gate!”

  • Acts 12:16

    But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astounded.

  • Acts 12:18

    At daybreak there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.

  • Acts 15:7

    After much discussion, Peter got up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you that the Gentiles would hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.

  • Acts 15:14

    Simon has told us how God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people to be His own.

1 Corinthians

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12

    What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

  • 1 Corinthians 3:22

    whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,

  • 1 Corinthians 9:5

    Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:5

    and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.

Galatians

  • Galatians 1:18

    Only after three years did I go up to Jerusalem to confer with Cephas, and I stayed with him fifteen days.

  • Galatians 2:7

    On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted to preach the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.

  • Galatians 2:8

    For the One who was at work in Peter’s apostleship to the circumcised was also at work in my apostleship to the Gentiles.

  • Galatians 2:9

    And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

  • Galatians 2:11

    When Cephas came to Antioch, however, I opposed him to his face, because he stood to be condemned.

  • Galatians 2:14

    When I saw that they were not walking in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

1 Peter

  • 1 Peter 1:1

    Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen

2 Peter

  • 2 Peter 1:1

    Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:

Events

Events the dataset lists Simon Peter as taking part in. Dates follow its Ussher–Jones reckoning (one of several traditional counts), not established history.

  1. c. AD 27
  2. c. AD 27
    First Disciples GatheredJohn 1:35–51
  3. c. AD 28
  4. c. AD 28
    Jesus' 1st Tour of GalileeMatthew 4:23 – Luke 4:44 · at Galilee
  5. c. AD 29
  6. c. AD 29
    Commandments and Tradition DiscourseMatthew 15:1 – Mark 7:23 · at Capernaum
  7. c. AD 29
    Peter's Confession "Upon this Rock"Matthew 16:13 – Luke 9:21 · at Caesarea Philippi
  8. c. AD 29
    Foretelling the Death and ResurrectionMatthew 16:21 – Luke 9:27 · at Caesarea Philippi
  9. c. AD 29
  10. c. AD 29
    Tax Coin in a Fish's MouthMatthew 17:24–27 · at Capernaum
  11. c. AD 29
    Woes and Parables with PhariseesLuke 11:37–13:9
  12. c. AD 29
    Bread of Life SermonJohn 6:22–71 · at Capernaum

Dictionary

From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), as attached to this record by Theographic. The entry is for the name and can describe more than one person who bore it. Easton wrote in 1897, and some of his views are now debated.

Read Easton’s entry

Originally called Simon (=Simeon, i.e., “hearing”), a very common Jewish name in the New Testament. He was the son of Jona (Matt. 16:17). His mother is nowhere named in Scripture. He had a younger brother called Andrew, who first brought him to Jesus (John 1:40-42). His native town was Bethsaida, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, to which also Philip belonged. Here he was brought up by the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and was trained to the occupation of a fisher. His father had probably died while he was still young, and he and his brother were brought up under the care of Zebedee and his wife Salome (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40; 16:1). There the four youths, Simon, Andrew, James, and John, spent their boyhood and early manhood in constant fellowship. Simon and his brother doubtless enjoyed all the advantages of a religious training, and were early instructed in an acquaintance with the Scriptures and with the great prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah. They did not probably enjoy, however, any special training in the study of the law under any of the rabbis. When Peter appeared before the Sanhedrin, he looked like an “unlearned man” (Acts 4:13).

“Simon was a Galilean, and he was that out and out...The Galileans had a marked character of their own. They had a reputation for an independence and energy which often ran out into turbulence. They were at the same time of a franker and more transparent disposition than their brethren in the south. In all these respects, in bluntness, impetuosity, headiness, and simplicity, Simon was a genuine Galilean. They spoke a peculiar dialect. They had a difficulty with the guttural sounds and some others, and their pronunciation was reckoned harsh in Judea. The Galilean accent stuck to Simon all through his career. It betrayed him as a follower of Christ when he stood within the judgment-hall (Mark 14:70). It betrayed his own nationality and that of those conjoined with him on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:7).” It would seem that Simon was married before he became an apostle. His wife’s mother is referred to (Matt. 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38). He was in all probability accompanied by his wife on his missionary journeys (1 Cor. 9:5; comp. 1 Pet. 5:13).

He appears to have been settled at Capernaum when Christ entered on his public ministry, and may have reached beyond the age of thirty. His house was large enough to give a home to his brother Andrew, his wife’s mother, and also to Christ, who seems to have lived with him (Mark 1:29, 36; 2:1), as well as to his own family. It was apparently two stories high (2:4).

At Bethabara (R.V., John 1:28, “Bethany”), beyond Jordan, John the Baptist had borne testimony concerning Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29-36). Andrew and John hearing it, followed Jesus, and abode with him where he was. They were convinced, by his gracious words and by the authority with which he spoke, that he was the Messiah (Luke 4:22; Matt. 7:29); and Andrew went forth and found Simon and brought him to Jesus (John 1:41).

Jesus at once recognized Simon, and declared that hereafter he would be called Cephas, an Aramaic name corresponding to the Greek Petros, which means “a mass of rock detached from the living rock.” The Aramaic name does not occur again, but the name Peter gradually displaces the old name Simon, though our Lord himself always uses the name Simon when addressing him (Matt. 17:25; Mark 14:37; Luke 22:31, comp. 21:15-17). We are not told what impression the first interview with Jesus produced on the mind of Simon. When we next meet him it is by the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 4:18-22). There the four (Simon and Andrew, James and John) had had an unsuccessful night’s fishing. Jesus appeared suddenly, and entering into Simon’s boat, bade him launch forth and let down the nets. He did so, and enclosed a great multitude of fishes. This was plainly a miracle wrought before Simon’s eyes. The awe-stricken disciple cast himself at the feet of Jesus, crying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). Jesus addressed him with the assuring words, “Fear not,” and announced to him his life’s work. Simon responded at once to the call to become a disciple, and after this we find him in constant attendance on our Lord.

He is next called into the rank of the apostleship, and becomes a “fisher of men” (Matt. 4:19) in the stormy seas of the world of human life (Matt. 10:2-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:13-16), and takes a more and more prominent part in all the leading events of our Lord’s life. It is he who utters that notable profession of faith at Capernaum (John 6:66-69), and again at Caesarea Philippi (Matt. 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-20). This profession at Caesarea was one of supreme importance, and our Lord in response used these memorable words: “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.”

“From that time forth” Jesus began to speak of his sufferings. For this Peter rebuked him. But our Lord in return rebuked Peter, speaking to him in sterner words than he ever used to any other of his disciples (Matt. 16:21-23; Mark 8:31-33). At the close of his brief sojourn at Caesarea our Lord took Peter and James and John with him into “an high mountain apart,” and was transfigured before them. Peter on that occasion, under the impression the scene produced on his mind, exclaimed, “Lord, it is good for us to be here: let us make three tabernacles” (Matt. 17:1-9).

On his return to Capernaum the collectors of the temple tax (a didrachma, half a sacred shekel), which every Israelite of twenty years old and upwards had to pay (Ex. 30:15), came to Peter and reminded him that Jesus had not paid it (Matt. 17:24-27). Our Lord instructed Peter to go and catch a fish in the lake and take from its mouth the exact amount needed for the tax, viz., a stater, or two half-shekels. “That take,” said our Lord, “and give unto them for me and thee.”

As the end was drawing nigh, our Lord sent Peter and John (Luke 22:7-13) into the city to prepare a place where he should keep the feast with his disciples. There he was forewarned of the fearful sin into which he afterwards fell (22:31-34). He accompanied our Lord from the guest-chamber to the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-46), which he and the other two who had been witnesses of the transfiguration were permitted to enter with our Lord, while the rest were left without. Here he passed through a strange experience. Under a sudden impulse he cut off the ear of Malchus (47-51), one of the band that had come forth to take Jesus. Then follow the scenes of the judgment-hall (54-61) and his bitter grief (62).

He is found in John’s company early on the morning of the resurrection. He boldly entered into the empty grave (John 20:1-10), and saw the “linen clothes laid by themselves” (Luke 24:9-12). To him, the first of the apostles, our risen Lord revealed himself, thus conferring on him a signal honour, and showing how fully he was restored to his favour (Luke 24:34; 1 Cor. 15:5). We next read of our Lord’s singular interview with Peter on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, where he thrice asked him, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” (John 21:1-19).

After this scene at the lake we hear nothing of Peter till he again appears with the others at the ascension (Acts 1:15-26). It was he who proposed that the vacancy caused by the apostasy of Judas should be filled up. He is prominent on the day of Pentecost (2:14-40). The events of that day “completed the change in Peter himself which the painful discipline of his fall and all the lengthened process of previous training had been slowly making. He is now no more the unreliable, changeful, self-confident man, ever swaying between rash courage and weak timidity, but the stead-fast, trusted guide and director of the fellowship of believers, the intrepid preacher of Christ in Jerusalem and abroad. And now that he is become Cephas indeed, we hear almost nothing of the name Simon (only in Acts 10:5, 32; 15:14), and he is known to us finally as Peter.”

After the miracle at the temple gate ([Acts 3](/acts#Acts.3)) persecution arose against the Christians, and Peter was cast into prison. He boldly defended himself and his companions at the bar of the council (4:19, 20). A fresh outburst of violence against the Christians (5:17-21) led to the whole body of the apostles being cast into prison; but during the night they were wonderfully delivered, and were found in the morning teaching in the temple. A second time Peter defended them before the council (Acts 5:29-32), who, “when they had called the apostles and beaten them, let them go.”

The time had come for Peter to leave Jerusalem. After labouring for some time in Samaria, he returned to Jerusalem, and reported to the church there the results of his work (Acts 8:14-25). Here he remained for a period, during which he met Paul for the first time since his conversion (9:26-30; Gal. 1:18). Leaving Jerusalem again, he went forth on a missionary journey to Lydda and Joppa (Acts 9:32-43). He is next called on to open the door of the Christian church to the Gentiles by the admission of Cornelius of Caesarea (ch. 10).

After remaining for some time at Caesarea, he returned to Jerusalem (Acts 11:1-18), where he defended his conduct with reference to the Gentiles. Next we hear of his being cast into prison by Herod Agrippa (12:1-19); but in the night an angel of the Lord opened the prison gates, and he went forth and found refuge in the house of Mary.

He took part in the deliberations of the council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-31; Gal. 2:1-10) regarding the relation of the Gentiles to the church. This subject had awakened new interest at Antioch, and for its settlement was referred to the council of the apostles and elders at Jerusalem. Here Paul and Peter met again.

We have no further mention of Peter in the Acts of the Apostles. He seems to have gone down to Antioch after the council at Jerusalem, and there to have been guilty of dissembling, for which he was severely reprimanded by Paul (Gal. 2:11-16), who “rebuked him to his face.”

After this he appears to have carried the gospel to the east, and to have laboured for a while at Babylon, on the Euphrates (1 Pet. 5:13). There is no satisfactory evidence that he was ever at Rome. Where or when he died is not certainly known. Probably he died between A.D. 64 and 67.

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