Who Was the Apostle Peter?
Who Was the Apostle Peter? Peter was a fisherman who became Jesus' most prominent disciple — bold, impulsive, failing at the crucifixion, but restored to become the leader of the early church.
Key verse: Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
Peter was a fisherman who became Jesus' most prominent disciple — bold, impulsive, failing at the crucifixion, but restored to become the leader of the early church.
Peter was a fisherman who became Jesus' most prominent disciple — bold, impulsive, failing at the crucifixion, but restored to become the leader of the early church.
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." — Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Simon Peter was a Galilean fisherman called by Jesus with the words, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men' (Matthew 4:19). Jesus renamed him Cephas/Peter ('rock'), declaring, 'Upon this rock I will build my church' (Matthew 16:18). Peter was part of Jesus' inner circle (with James and John), present at the transfiguration (Matthew 17), and the first disciple to confess Jesus as 'the Christ, the Son of the living God' (Matthew 16:16). Yet Peter also rebuked Jesus and was told, 'Get thee behind me, Satan' (Matthew 16:23). He walked on water but sank in doubt (Matthew 14:29-31). He denied Jesus three times at the crucifixion (Matthew 26:69-75) — and wept bitterly. After the resurrection, Jesus restored him three times: 'Feed my sheep' (John 21:15-17). Filled with the Spirit at Pentecost, Peter preached and 3,000 were saved (Acts 2:41). He wrote two New Testament epistles and, according to tradition, was crucified upside down in Rome, considering himself unworthy to die like his Lord.
Key Scripture References
"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
"Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
"Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
Who Were the Twelve Apostles?
The twelve apostles were the men Jesus chose as His closest followers and commissioned to spread the gospel: Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot (later replaced by Matthias).
Who Was the Apostle Paul?
Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted the early church until a dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus transformed him into Christianity's greatest missionary.
What is the Great Commission?
The Great Commission is Jesus' command to His disciples to go into all the world, make disciples of every nation, baptize them, and teach them to obey His commands.
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
Melchizedek was a mysterious king of Salem and priest of the Most High God who blessed Abraham and received tithes from him.
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
Abraham was the father of the Jewish nation, called by God from Ur of the Chaldees, and known as the 'father of faith.'
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Who was the Apostle Peter?
People & Characters
Who Was the Apostle Peter?
People & Characters
Who Was the Apostle Paul?
People & Characters
1 Peter 2:10 Commentary
In-depth study • From No People to His People
Peter in the Bible
The Rock
Peter the Apostle Quiz
The fisherman who became a fisher of men.
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Matthew. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Matthew on day 284 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Who Was the Apostle Peter?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
Frequently Asked Questions
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.