Who Was the Apostle Peter — Meaning Explained

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.