Name:
- Means Rock, (Simon means reed)
- Son of John, brother of Andrew
- Originally called Simon – changed to, Cephas.
- Native of Bethsaida
- Married
- Occupation: Fisherman; partner with Andrew, John and James
Character:
- Strong willed, aggressive, brave, impulsive, bold, believing
- First to speak up in discussions (see Jn 6v67-68, Mt 16v15-16, Mk 9v4-6)
- Speak first, think later
- Sometimes spoke up well – Mt 16v16
- Sometimes not so well – Mt 16v21-22
- Usually first to jump into action (see Jn 21v7, Mt 14v28-29)
- Qualities of leadership
- Speak first, think later
Events:
Catch of fish (Luke 5v1-11)
- Initially quite wary of Jesus – certainly of his fishing skills
- Stunned and amazed at the catch of fish
- Turning point for Peter, recognised Jesus really was someone special – “Lord”
- Peter acknowledges his sinfulness compared to Jesus
Walking on Water (Matt 14v24-33)
- Has the faith to step out of the boat in a raging storm (v32)
- Wanted Jesus to tell him to come to him (Mt 14v28)
- Sank because he looked at the waves
- Peter had faith, but also fear
- Jesus immediately picked him up when he failed
Denials (John 18v15-27)
- Very bravely cuts of the ear of Malchus ear in Gethsemane
- Quick to forget and becomes cowardly in denying Jesus
- Note: the last person to ask him, was a relative of Malchus
- After the failure he felt very sorry and repented for what he had done (Luke 22v62)
Acts
After Jesus resurrection Peter became a very important leader in the early church. Seems he made missionary journeys not unlike Paul and took his wife with him (1Cor 9 v4)
In Acts 2 we find Peter boldly preaching to a great crowd of Jewish people. Peter is no longer ashamed or cowardly about his Saviour. Once Peter caught 3000 fish, now 3000 people get baptised: a true fisher of MEN.
First disciple to…
- preach the gospel
- perform a miracle
- speak before the Sanhedrin
- preach to the Gentiles
- raise the dead
Crucified head down tied rather than nailed
References:
Matthew
[ Jesus Calls His First Disciples ] 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 lake, for they were fishermen.
[ Jesus Heals Many ] When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
“Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”
[ Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah ] When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
[ The Transfiguration ] After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
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.”
[ The Temple Tax ] After Jesus and his disciples arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and asked, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?”
“Yes, he does,” he replied. When Peter came into the house, Jesus was the first to speak. “What do you think, Simon?” he asked. “From whom do the kings of the earth collect duty and taxes—from their own children or from others?”
“From others,” Peter answered. “Then the children are exempt,” Jesus said to him.
[ The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant ] Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”
Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
[ Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ] Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’
Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”
But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.
But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
[ Peter Disowns Jesus ] Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him. “You also were with Jesus of Galilee,” she said.
After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, “Surely you are one of them; your accent gives you away.”
Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Mark
These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter),
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.
[ Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah ] Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
[ The Transfiguration ] After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.
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.”
Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”
Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately,
[ Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ] “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them, “for it is written: “‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’
Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”
But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled.
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour?
Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.
[ Peter Disowns Jesus ] While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by.
When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. “You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus,” she said.
Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.”
Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.” And he broke down and wept.
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
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”
Simon (whom he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother.
[ Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah ] Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”
[ The Transfiguration ] About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “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.)
Peter asked, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?”
Peter said to him, “We have left all we had to follow you!”
Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.”
Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”
[ Peter Disowns Jesus ] Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance.
And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them.
A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.”
Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.
John
Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus.
And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).
Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida.
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up,
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
“No,” said Peter, “you shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.”
“Then, Lord,” Simon Peter replied, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!”
Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, “Ask him which one he means.”
[ Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial ] When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him.
Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.”
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. (The servant’s name was Malchus.)
Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”
[ Peter’s First Denial ] Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard,
but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in.
“You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.”
It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.
[ Peter’s Second and Third Denials ] Meanwhile, Simon Peterwas still standing there warming himself. So they asked him, “You aren’t one of his disciples too, are you?” He denied it, saying, “I am not.”
One of the high priest’s servants, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, challenged him, “Didn’t I see you with him in the garden?”
Again Peter denied it, and at that moment a rooster began to crow.
So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.
Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.
Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,
Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
“I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water.
So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn.
[ Jesus Reinstates Peter ] When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”)
Acts
When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty)
“For,” said Peter, “it is written in the Book of Psalms: “‘May his place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in it,’ and, “‘May another take his place of leadership.’
[ Peter Addresses the Crowd ] Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
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.
[ Peter Heals a Lame Beggar ] One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.
When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money.
Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!”
Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”
[ Peter Speaks to the Onlookers ] While the man held on toPeter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.
When Peter saw this, he said to them: “Fellow Israelites, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?
[ Peter and John Before the Sanhedrin ] The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people.
They seized Peter and John and, because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next day.
They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?”
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people!
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!
[ The Believers Pray ] On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?” “Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.
Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!
After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.
[ Aeneas and Dorcas ] As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda.
“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up.
Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”
Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.
Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.
Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.
[ Cornelius Calls for Peter ] At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.
Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
[ Peter’s Vision ] About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray.
Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
“Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.
They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.
While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.
Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”
Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. [Peter at Cornelius’s House ] The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.
But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only a man myself.”
While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.
Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said,
So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.
[ Peter Explains His Actions ] The apostles and the believers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him
Starting from the beginning, Peter told them the whole story:
Then I heard a voice telling me, ‘Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.’
He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.
[ Peter’s Miraculous Escape From Prison ] It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them.
When he saw that this met with approval among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him.
The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance.
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.
Then the angel said to him, “Put on your clothes and sandals.” And Peter did so. “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,” the angel told him.
Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision.
Then Peter came to himself and said, “Now I know without a doubt that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from Herod’s clutches and from everything the Jewish people were hoping would happen.”
Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant named Rhoda came to answer the door.
When she recognized Peter’s voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, “Peter is at the door!”
But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.
Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,” he said, and then he left for another place.
In the morning, there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter.
After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.
Galatians
On the contrary, they recognized that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised.
For God, who was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised, was also at work in me as an apostle to the Gentiles.
Peters Letters
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
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: