Peter
maleNew TestamentMeaning: “Rock; stone”
A Galilean fisherman who became the foremost of the twelve apostles, preached at Pentecost, and led the early church; author of two New Testament epistles.
Biography
Simon Peter is the most prominent of the twelve apostles — impulsive, passionate, and utterly transformed by Christ. Jesus gave him the name Peter (Cephas), "a stone" (John 1:42), and made him a foundation stone of the church.
From fisherman to follower
A fisherman of Galilee, brother of Andrew, Peter left his nets at Jesus' call: "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matthew 4:19). He witnessed Jesus' miracles, walked briefly on water (Matthew 14:29), and confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16), to which Jesus replied that on this rock He would build His church.
Denial and restoration
Despite his boldness, Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of His arrest, then "wept bitterly" (Luke 22:62). The risen Christ tenderly restored him by the Sea of Galilee, three times asking "lovest thou me?" and commissioning him, "Feed my sheep" (John 21:15–17).
Leader of the early church
Filled with the Spirit at Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel and three thousand were saved (Acts 2:41). He healed, testified before the council, and opened the door of faith to the Gentiles through Cornelius (Acts 10). His two epistles encourage believers under persecution to hope in "an inheritance incorruptible" (1 Peter 1:4). Tradition holds he was martyred in Rome under Nero.
Life Timeline
Called by Jesus to be a fisher of men
Confesses Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God
Denies Jesus three times, then weeps
Restored by the risen Christ: "Feed my sheep"
Preaches at Pentecost; 3,000 are saved
On the Bible timeline
Peter belongs to the The Gospels — the Life of Jesus era (c. 6 BC – AD 30).
- c. 6 – 4 BCThe Birth of Jesus
- c. AD 27 – 30The Ministry of Jesus
- c. AD 30 – 33The Crucifixion & Resurrection
- c. AD 30 – 33Pentecost
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Peter
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Peter appears.
Places in their story
Scripture Appearances
8 verses in 5 booksMatthew3 verses
Matthew 4:19
And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Matthew 14:29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Matthew 16:16
And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Luke1 verse
Luke 22:61
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.
John1 verse
John 21:17
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.
Acts2 verses
Acts 2:14
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
Acts 10:34
Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
1 Peter1 verse
1 Peter 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Frequently asked about Peter
Who was Peter in the Bible?
A Galilean fisherman who became the foremost of the twelve apostles, preached at Pentecost, and led the early church; author of two New Testament epistles.
What does the name Peter mean?
The name Peter means “Rock; stone”.
What did Peter do in the Bible?
Peter served as fisherman, apostle.
Who were Peter's parents?
Peter was the child of Jonah.
Where does Peter appear in the Bible?
Peter is mentioned 8 times across 5 books: Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, 1 Peter.
What can we learn from Peter?
The story of Peter touches on themes of peter, apostles, church (2), discipleship — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Peter's life.
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