Simon Peter — Fisherman, Apostle, Rock

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The Fisherman

Bethsaida & Galilee

Before Christ's Ministry

Simon bar Jonah was a fisherman from Bethsaida, working with his brother Andrew on the Sea of Galilee. His life would change forever when Andrew brought him to meet Jesus.

"Simon Peter was one of the two, the ones hearing from John, and following Him. This one first finds his own brother Simon and says to him, We have found the Messiah." — John 1:40-41 (KJ3)

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The Disciple

Fisher of Men

~AD 27-30

Called by Jesus to be a "fisher of men," Peter became part of the inner circle (with James and John). He witnessed the Transfiguration, walked on water, and made the great confession.

"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven." — Matthew 16:16-17 (KJ3)

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The Denial

Night of Betrayal

Night of Jesus' Arrest

Despite his bold claims, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times before the rooster crowed, fulfilling Christ's prophecy. When their eyes met, Peter went out and wept bitterly.

"And turning, the Lord looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord... And going outside, Peter wept bitterly." — Luke 22:61-62 (KJ3)

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The Restoration

By the Sea of Galilee

After the Resurrection

By the Sea of Galilee, Jesus restored Peter with three questions of love, paralleling the three denials. "Feed My sheep" became his commission.

"Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He says to him, Feed My sheep!" — John 21:16 (KJ3)

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The Church Leader

Pentecost & Beyond

~AD 30-64

At Pentecost, Peter preached boldly and 3,000 were saved. He performed miracles, defended the faith before the Sanhedrin, and opened the door to the Gentiles.

"Therefore assuredly, let all the house of Israel acknowledge that God made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." — Acts 2:36 (KJ3)

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The Martyr

Rome Under Nero

~AD 64-68

According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside-down in Rome under Nero, fulfilling Jesus' prophecy that another would "carry you where you do not desire."

"When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you, and will carry you where you do not desire... signifying by what death he would glorify God." — John 21:18-19 (KJ3)

The Names of Peter

Simon

Hebrew: שִׁמְעוֹן (Shimon)

"He has heard" — His birth name, given by his parents. Jesus often called him "Simon" in moments of correction or tenderness.

Peter

Greek: Πέτρος (Petros)

"Rock" or "Stone" — The Greek name Jesus gave him, indicating his future role as a foundation stone of the church.

Cephas

Aramaic: כֵּיפָא (Kepha)

"Rock" — The Aramaic equivalent of Peter. Paul often uses this name (1 Cor 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5; Gal 1:18, 2:9, 11, 14).

Simon Bar-Jonah

Aramaic: "Simon son of Jonah"

His patronymic name, indicating his father's name was Jonah (or John). Jesus uses this full name at the great confession (Matt 16:17).

40 Andrew the brother of Simon Peter was one of the two, the ones hearing from John, and following Him. 41 This one first finds his own brother Simon and says to him, We have found the Messiah (which is, being translated, the Christ). 42 And he led him to Jesus. And looking at him, Jesus said, You are Simon the son of Jonah; you shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter).

— John 1:40-42 (KJ3)

📚 Context:

Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, became one of Jesus' first followers. His immediate response was to find his brother Simon and bring him to Jesus. At their first meeting, Jesus renamed Simon, prophetically declaring his future character and role.

18 And walking beside the sea of Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers, Simon being called Peter and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishers. 19 And He says to them, Come after Me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And leaving the nets, they immediately followed Him.

— Matthew 4:18-20 (KJ3)

📚 Application:

Peter and Andrew "immediately" left their nets. Their livelihood, their security, their identity as fishermen—all abandoned in an instant to follow Jesus. The call to discipleship demands complete surrender.

15 He said to them, But you, whom do you say Me to be? 16 And answering, Simon Peter said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And answering, Jesus said to him, Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against her.

— Matthew 16:15-18 (KJ3)

📚 Significance:

Peter's confession is the climax of the Gospels. When others saw a prophet, Peter saw "the Christ, the Son of the living God." This revelation came not from human reasoning but from the Father. Jesus responds with the promise of the church's foundation and the keys of the kingdom.

28 And answering Him, Peter said, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the waters. 29 And He said, Come! And going down from the boat, Peter walked on the waters to go to Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me! 31 And immediately stretching out the hand, Jesus took hold of him, and said to him, Little-faith, at what did you doubt?

— Matthew 14:28-31 (KJ3)

📚 Lesson:

Only Peter had the boldness to step out of the boat. Yes, he sank when he looked at the waves—but he also walked! Peter's impulsive faith often got him in trouble, but it also led him to experiences the other disciples missed.

31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked for you, to sift you as wheat; 32 but I prayed for you, that your faith not fail. And you, when turning back, make firm your brothers. 33 And he said to Him, Lord, I am ready to go both to prison and to death with You. 34 But He said, I say to you, Peter, A cock not will sound today, not before that you will deny knowing Me three times.

— Luke 22:31-34 (KJ3)

📚 Key Insight:

Notice: Jesus didn't pray that Peter would not fall—He prayed that Peter's faith would not fail. Jesus knew Peter would deny Him, but He also knew Peter would "turn back" and strengthen his brothers. Failure is not final when Christ intercedes.

33 And answering, Peter said to Him, Even if all will be caused to stumble in You, I will never be caused to stumble. 34 Jesus said to him, Truly I say to you, In this night, before a cock sounds, you will deny Me three times. 35 Peter said to Him, Even if I must die with You, I will not deny You, not I! And all the disciples said the same.

— Matthew 26:33-35 (KJ3)

📚 Warning:

"Even if all... I will never." Peter's pride set him up for a devastating fall. He compared himself to others and trusted in his own strength. The disciples who claimed they would never stumble all fled that very night.

1st: A servant girl said, "You were with Jesus the Galilean." Peter denied before all: "I do not know what you say."

2nd: Another girl said, "This one was with Jesus the Nazarene." He denied with an oath: "I do not know the man."

3rd: Bystanders said, "Your speech makes you evident." He began to curse and swear: "I do not know the man."

"And going out, he wept bitterly."

Matthew 26:69-75

1st: A slave saw him warming himself: "You also were with Jesus the Nazarene." He denied: "I do not know nor understand."

2nd: The same slave told those standing by: "This one is of them." He denied again.

3rd: Bystanders said, "You are a Galilean." He cursed and swore: "I do not know this man."

"And thinking on it, he wept."

Mark 14:66-72

1st: A female slave saw him by the fire: "This one was with Him." Peter said, "Woman, I do not know Him."

2nd: Another said, "You also are of them." Peter said, "Man, I am not."

3rd: About an hour later, another declared, "This one also was with Him." Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you say."

"And turning, the Lord looked at Peter... And going outside, Peter wept bitterly."

Luke 22:54-62

1st: The doorkeeper asked, "Are you not also of this man's disciples?" He said, "I am not."

2nd: Those standing by asked, "Are you not also of His disciples?" He denied: "I am not."

3rd: A relative of Malchus asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Peter denied again.

"And immediately a rooster crowed."

John 18:15-27

15 Therefore when they broke fast, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? He says to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He says to him, Feed My lambs! 16 Again He says to him a second time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me? He says to Him, Yes, Lord, You know that I love You. He says to him, Feed My sheep! 17 He says to him a third time, Simon son of Jonah, do you love Me? Peter was grieved that He said to him a third time, Do you love Me? And he said to him, Lord, You perceive all things, You know that I love You! Jesus said to him, Feed My sheep!

— John 21:15-17 (KJ3)

📚 The Three-fold Restoration:

Three denials receive three affirmations. Jesus doesn't demand explanation or apology—He invites Peter to express his love. Each confession is met with a commission: "Feed My lambs... Feed My sheep." Restoration brings responsibility.

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were younger, you girded yourself, and you walked where you desired. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you, and will carry you where you do not desire. 19 But He said this signifying by what death he would glorify God. And having said this, He says him, Follow Me.

— John 21:18-19 (KJ3)

📚 Significance:

Jesus prophesies Peter's martyrdom—he will "stretch out his hands" (crucifixion) and be taken where he does not want to go. Yet Jesus ends with the same words that began their journey: "Follow Me." The call remains unchanged.

Denial (Luke 22)	Restoration (John 21)
By a charcoal fire (John 18:18)	By a charcoal fire (John 21:9)
Three denials	Three affirmations of love
"I do not know the man"	"You know that I love You"
Denied before servants	Restored before disciples
Rooster crowed	Morning dawn on the sea
Went out and wept	Received commission to shepherd
Peter's weakness exposed	Peter's calling renewed

14 But standing up with the Eleven, Peter lifted up his voice and spoke out to them, Men, Jews, and all the ones living in Jerusalem, let this be known to you... 36 Therefore assuredly, let all the house of Israel acknowledge that God made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. 38 And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized, each one of you on the name of Jesus Christ to remission of sins. 41 And about three thousand souls were added that day.

— Acts 2:14, 36-41 (KJ3)

📚 Transformation:

The same Peter who denied Jesus before a servant girl now proclaims Him boldly before thousands in Jerusalem. Three denials have become 3,000 converts. The man who feared is now fearless.

6 But Peter said, There is no silver and gold to me, but what I have, this I give to you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, rise up and walk about! 7 And laying hold of the right hand of him, he raised him up. And immediately his feet and ankle-bones were made firm. 8 And leaping up, he stood and walked about, and went with them into the temple, walking about and leaping, and praising God.

— Acts 3:6-8 (KJ3)

📚 Power of the Name:

"Silver and gold I do not have"—Peter had left everything to follow Jesus. But he had something far greater: the authority of Christ's name. The lame man received more than money; he received legs.

8 Then being filled of the Holy Spirit, Peter said to them, Rulers of the people and elders of Israel, 10 let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised up from the dead ones, in this name this one stands before you whole. 12 and there is salvation in no other One, for neither is there another name under Heaven having been given among men by which it is necessary for us to be saved.

— Acts 4:8-12 (KJ3)

📚 Bold Declaration:

Standing before the same council that condemned Jesus, Peter declares the exclusive salvation in Christ. "No other name"—not religious tradition, not good works, not philosophy—only Jesus saves.

29 But answering Peter and the apostles said, It is right to obey God rather than men. 30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you seized, hanging Him on a tree. 31 This One God has exalted as a Ruler and Savior to His right hand, to give to Israel repentance and remission of sins. 32 And we are His witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to the ones obeying Him.

— Acts 5:29-32 (KJ3)

40 And having put all out, placing the knees, Peter prayed. And turning to the body he said, Tabitha, Arise! And she opened her eyes; and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 And giving her a hand he raised her up. And calling the saints and the widows he presented her living.

— Acts 9:40-41 (KJ3)

📚 Power Over Death:

Like his Lord, Peter raised the dead. Tabitha (Dorcas), known for her good works and acts of charity, was restored to the weeping widows. "Many believed on the Lord" as a result.

13 And a voice came to him, Rise up, Peter, slay and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not at all, Lord, because I never did eat anything common or unclean. 15 And again a voice came to him a second time, What things God made clean, you do not make common. 34 And opening his mouth, Peter said, Truly I see that God is not a respecter of faces, 35 but in every nation the one fearing Him and working righteousness is acceptable to Him.

— Acts 10:13-15, 34-35 (KJ3)

📚 Gospel to Gentiles:

God used Peter to open the door to the Gentiles. The vision of unclean animals prepared him to accept Cornelius. Peter's prejudice was broken: "God is not a respecter of persons."

6 But when Herod was about to bring him out, in that night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, having been bound with two chains... 7 And, behold! An angel of the Lord stood by, and a light shone in the building. And striking Peter's side, he aroused him, saying, Rise up in haste! And the chains fell off from his hands. 11 And Peter coming to be within himself said, Now I know truly that the Lord sent out His angel and delivered me out of Herod's hand.

— Acts 12:6-11 (KJ3)

📚 Miraculous Deliverance:

James had just been executed. Peter was next. Yet he slept so soundly between his guards that the angel had to strike him to wake him! The church prayed, and God sent deliverance.

11 But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was to be blamed. 12 For before some came from James, he ate with the nations. But when they came, he drew back and separated himself, being afraid of the ones of the circumcision. 14 But when I saw that they did not walk uprightly with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before all, If you being a Jew, live heathen-like and not Jewishly, why do you compel the nations to Judaize?

— Galatians 2:11-14 (KJ3)

📚 Honest Scripture:

Even after Pentecost, Peter struggled with consistency. Paul's public rebuke shows that apostles were not perfect—and that the Bible records their failures honestly. Peter apparently received the correction humbly.

🌟 Living Hope

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the one according to His great mercy having regenerated us to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading."

1 Peter 1:3-4

🪨 Living Stones

"To whom having drawn near, a living Stone, indeed having been rejected by men, but chosen by God, precious; you also as living stones are being built a spiritual house, a holy priesthood."

1 Peter 2:4-5

👑 Royal Priesthood

"But you are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of the One who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

1 Peter 2:9

🐑 Shepherd the Flock

"Shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight, not by compulsion, but willingly, nor eagerly for base gain, but readily; nor as exercising lordship over the allotment given to you, but becoming examples of the flock."

1 Peter 5:2-3

🦁 Resist the Devil

"Be self-controlled. Be watchful, because your adversary the devil walks about as a roaring lion seeking someone he may devour; whom firmly resist in the faith."

1 Peter 5:8-9

📈 Add to Your Faith

"Having brought in all diligence, fully supply in your faith virtue, and in virtue knowledge, and in knowledge self-control, and in self-control patience, and in patience godliness, and in godliness brotherly love, and in brotherly love charity."

2 Peter 1:5-7

👁️ Eyewitness Testimony

"For not following fables having been cleverly devised, but having become eyewitnesses of the majesty of that One, Jesus Christ, we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord."

2 Peter 1:16

📖 Sure Word of Prophecy

"We have the more established prophetic Word... knowing this first, that every prophecy of Scripture did not come into being of its own interpretation; for prophecy was not at any time borne by the will of man, but being borne along by the Holy Spirit, holy men of God spoke."

2 Peter 1:19-21

⏳ The Day of the Lord

"But one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow as regards the promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing any to perish, but all to come to repentance."

2 Peter 3:8-9

🌱 Grow in Grace

"But grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."

2 Peter 3:18

📝 How Peter Describes Himself

"An apostle of Jesus Christ"

1 Peter 1:1

"A slave and apostle of Jesus Christ"

2 Peter 1:1

"A fellow-elder"

1 Peter 5:1

"A witness of the sufferings of Christ"

1 Peter 5:1

"Eyewitness of His majesty"

2 Peter 1:16

"On the holy mountain" (Transfiguration)

2 Peter 1:18

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, When you were younger, you girded yourself, and you walked where you desired. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you, and will carry you where you do not desire. 19 But He said this signifying by what death he would glorify God. And having said this, He says him, Follow Me.

— John 21:18-19 (KJ3)

📚 Interpretation:

"Stretch out your hands" is widely understood as a reference to crucifixion. Jesus prophesied not only that Peter would die a martyr's death, but that by this death he would "glorify God." What once was a symbol of shame became a mark of honor.

13 But I deem it right, so long as I am in this tabernacle, to arouse you by a reminder, 14 knowing that the putting off of my tabernacle is soon, as indeed our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. 15 And I will also be diligent to cause you always to have memory of these things after my departure.

— 2 Peter 1:13-15 (KJ3)

📚 Peter's Perspective:

Peter knew his death was approaching ("soon"). He calls his body a "tabernacle"—a temporary dwelling. Rather than fear, he focuses on ensuring the church will remember the truth after his "departure" (literally "exodus").

📖 Clement of Rome (~AD 96)

"Let us take the noble examples of our own generation. Through jealousy and envy the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church were persecuted and contended unto death. Let us place before our eyes the good apostles: Peter, who because of unrighteous jealousy suffered not one or two but many trials, and having thus given his testimony went to the glorious place which was his due."

— 1 Clement 5:2-4

📖 Tertullian (~AD 200)

"How happy is its church, on which apostles poured forth all their doctrine along with their blood! Where Peter endures a passion like his Lord's!"

— Prescription Against Heretics 36

📖 Eusebius (~AD 325)

"Peter appears to have preached in Pontus, Galatia, Bithynia, Cappadocia, and Asia to the Jews of the dispersion. And at last, having come to Rome, he was crucified head-downwards; for he had requested that he might suffer in this way."

— Ecclesiastical History III.1

📖 Origen (~AD 230)

"Peter was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, as he himself had desired to suffer."

— Quoted in Eusebius, Hist. Eccl. III.1

✝️ The Tradition of Upside-Down Crucifixion

According to early church tradition, when Peter was sentenced to crucifixion in Rome during Nero's persecution (approximately AD 64-68), he requested to be crucified upside-down, considering himself unworthy to die in the same manner as his Lord. This tradition, while not in Scripture, is attested by multiple early sources and reflects Peter's transformed character—from the one who denied Christ to avoid death, to one who embraced a more painful death out of humility before his Savior.

What was Peter's original name before Jesus renamed him?