Peter
The Rock, Apostle to the Jews
1st century AD
Galilean fisherman called Simon, renamed Cephas; bold confessor, fallen denier, restored shepherd of the early Church.
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:16Talk with Peter
The story of Peter
Simon Peter was a fisherman from Bethsaida who became one of Jesus’s closest and most influential disciples. Known for his impulsive nature and passionate heart, he was often the first to speak and the first to act. Jesus gave him the name Peter, meaning 'Rock,' and told him that on this rock He would build His Church, signaling Peter’s future role as a foundational leader.
Peter’s journey was marked by great heights and deep failures. He walked on water toward Jesus, was the first to confess Him as the Christ, and witnessed the Transfiguration. Yet, he also rebuked Jesus for speaking of His death and famously denied knowing Him three times during the night of His arrest. After the Resurrection, Jesus restored Peter by the sea, charging him to feed His sheep.
Following Pentecost, Peter emerged as the primary leader and spokesman for the early Church in Jerusalem. He preached to the crowds, performed miracles, and was the first to bring the Gospel to the Gentiles after a vision from God. Tradition holds that Peter eventually traveled to Rome, where he was martyred by being crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
Key passages
Matthew 16:13–20
Peter confesses Jesus as the Son of God and is called the rock of the Church.
Matthew 26:69–75
The account of Peter denying Jesus three times and his subsequent grief.
John 21:15–19
The risen Jesus restores Peter and commissions him to care for the believers.
Acts 2:14–41
Peter’s powerful sermon on the day of Pentecost that led to thousands of baptisms.
Acts 10:1–48
Peter’s vision and his visit to Cornelius, opening the Gospel to the Gentiles.
Key books
- Matthew
- Mark
- Luke
- John
- Acts
- 1 & 2 Peter
Questions you can ask
- “Why did you sink on the water?”
- “How did Jesus restore you?”
- “What happened at Pentecost?”
Common questions
Was Peter the first Pope?
Catholic tradition identifies Peter as the first Bishop of Rome and the first Pope. Other traditions honor him as a preeminent apostle and foundational leader.
Why did Jesus change Simon’s name to Peter?
The name Peter means rock. Jesus gave it to him to signify the stable, foundational role he would play in the growth of the early Church.
Did Peter really walk on water?
Yes, the Gospel of Matthew records that Peter stepped out of the boat at Jesus’s command, though he began to sink when he lost focus and became afraid.