Peter (Simon)

Technical Profile

• Name Meaning: Greek Petros (“rock/stone”), a name Jesus gave him (John 1:42), marking a new role among the disciples.
• Period/Era: Second Temple Period; Early Church; Apostolic Age (Roman Imperial Context).
• Main References: Matthew 4; Matthew 16; Luke 22; John 1; John 21; Acts 1–12; 1 Peter; 2 Peter.
• Key Connections: Jesus; Andrew (brother); James and John (inner circle); the Twelve; Cornelius; the Jerusalem church.

Who was Peter (Simon)?

Peter, also called Simon and Cephas, was a Galilean fisherman from Bethsaida and Capernaum (John 1:44; Mark 1:29).
Jesus called him early in his ministry and appointed him among the Twelve (Mark 1:16–18; Mark 3:16).
He appears frequently as a spokesperson for the disciples in the Gospels and a leading apostle in Acts.

Key Events & Achievements

• Event 1: Confessed Jesus as the Christ and received a defining commission among the disciples (Matthew 16:16–19).
• Event 2: Denied Jesus during the trial period, then was restored after the resurrection and recommissioned for pastoral service (Luke 22:54–62; John 21:15–17).
• Event 3: Proclaimed the risen Jesus at Pentecost and later witnessed the inclusion of Gentiles through the gospel in Cornelius’s household (Acts 2:14–41; Acts 10:34–48).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Peter’s life shows how Jesus forms reliable apostolic witness through repentance, restoration, and mission in the early church.

Key Verse

"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16:18, ESV