Simon Peter
Born: Bethsaida
Died: Vatican Hill, Vatican City
Place of burial: St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
Patronage: Patronage list
Church: Early Christian
Siblings: Andrew the Apostle
Parents: Jonah, Joanna

PETER, SIMON (Σίμων Πέτρος). The man who figures generally as the leader of the twelve disciples in the NT usually bears the name Peter (Πέτρος, G4377). This name was given to him by Jesus (Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; John 1:42). His earlier name was Simon, a common name among Greeks and Jews. Occasionally in the gospels the two names are used together (Matt 16:16; Luke 5:8; John 1:40; 6:8, 68; 13:6, 9, 24, 36; 18:10, 15, 25; 20:2, 6; 21:2f., 7, 11, 15). Sometimes the use of both names is indicated (Matt 4:18; 10:2; Acts 10:5, 18, 32; 11:13). Twice, the more exact Sem. is used (Acts 15:14; 2 Pet 1:1). as indicated in John 1:42. All the other occurrences of Cephas in the NT are in the Pauline letters (1 Cor 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Gal 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14). Only in Galatians 2:7 and 8 does Paul use the name Peter. A study of the various contexts of these passages, however, strongly indicates that Paul was referring to the same person by these two names.
Peter’s father’s name was Jonah (̓Ιωνᾶς, G2731) according to Matthew 16:17. According to John 1:42 and 21:15-17, his name was John (̓Ιωάννης, G2722; following the better MSS; a variant reading in each case has Jonah). The father was a fisherman by trade, as were his sons Peter and Andrew. They were from the city of Bethsaida (John 1:44), but later, when they met Jesus they were residing in Capernaum (Mark 1:21, 29). It is possible that they were partners in the fishing business with James and John, sons of Zebedee (Luke 5:10). Peter was married (Mark 1:30; cf. 1 Cor 9:5).
Andrew, Peter’s brother, was a disciple and follower of John the Baptist (John 1:35, 40), but who became a follower of Jesus after John’s testimony, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (1:36, 37). Andrew, in turn, located his brother Peter and said, “We have found the Messiah” (1:41). When Jesus saw Peter, he said, “So you are Simon the son of John? You shall be called Cephas” (1:42). Later, when Jesus chose the Twelve, Mark and Luke indicate that He gave to Simon the name Peter (Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; cf. Matt 10:2). John has given the Aram. equivalent (see above). How long Peter and Andrew remained with Jesus at this time is not known. At the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean ministry (at least six to nine months after the first call), they, with the sons of Zebedee, were recalled by Jesus by the Sea of Galilee where they were casting their nets into the sea (Matt 4:18-20; Mark 1:16-18). Luke reports (5:1-11) this recall of Peter in connection with a fishing episode in which, under the instruction of Jesus, Peter and his companions caught a huge number of fish. In response Peter confessed, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord” (Luke 5:8). From that time on Peter and the others apparently were constant companions of Jesus (Matt 19:27; Mark 10:28; Luke 18:28; cf. John 6:68).
Peter held the position of leadership in the circle of the Twelve. He is listed first in the four lists of the twelve disciples in the NT (Matt 10:2; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14-16; Acts 1:13). In the gospels he is the most frequently mentioned of the Twelve. Petrine episodes are found in material common to all four gospels (e.g., his denials, Matt 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:56-62; John 18:25-27); in material common to the synoptics, e.g., the Transfiguration (Matt 17:1-9; Mark 9:2-10; Luke 9:28-36); in material common to Matthew and Mark (e.g., garden of Gethsemane, Matt 26:37-40; Mark 14:33-38); in Matthew alone (e.g., attempted walking on water, 14:28-31); in Mark alone (e.g., question regarding the withered fig tree, 11:21); in Luke alone (e.g., question about a parable, 12:41); in John alone (e.g., restoration after denials, 21:15-23). Of interest is the absence of Petrine episodes found only in material common to Matthew and Luke (the source identified as “Q”). This wide distribution of Petrine materials in the sources of the four gospels reflects the prominence that Peter had in the early traditions.
Peter was one of the inner circle of the three or four intimate apostles of Jesus (see below). He was often the spokesman for the Twelve (Matt 15:15; 16:16; Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20; Matt 18:21; 19:27; Mark 10:28; and Luke 18:28; 12:41). That the collectors of the Temple tax approached Peter is indicative of his leadership role (Matt 17:24). "The time and manner of his martyrdom are less certain. According to the early writers, he suffered at or about the same time with Paul, and in the Neronian persecution, A.D. 67, 68. All agree that he was crucified. Origen says that Peter felt himself to be unworthy to be put to death in the same manner as his Master .
"Knowing that shortly the putting off of my tabernacle will come, even as our Lord Jesus Christ has signified to me (2Peter 1:14).

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