Who was the Apostle Peter — In Biblical Context
Peter was a fisherman called by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles, who became the leading spokesman of the early church despite famously denying Jesus three times.
Peter was a fisherman called by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles, who became the leading spokesman of the early church despite famously denying Jesus three times.
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." — Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Originally named Simon, Jesus renamed him Peter (Petros, meaning 'rock'). Along with James and John, Peter was part of Jesus' inner circle, witnessing the Transfiguration and the agony in Gethsemane. He was bold and impulsive — walking on water, confessing Jesus as the Christ, cutting off a soldier's ear, yet also denying Jesus three times on the night of His arrest. After the resurrection, Jesus restored Peter with a threefold commission to 'feed my sheep.' Peter preached the first Christian sermon at Pentecost, led the early Jerusalem church, opened the gospel to Gentiles at Cornelius's house, and wrote two New Testament epistles. Tradition holds he was martyred in Rome by crucifixion, requesting to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die as Jesus did.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Matthew 16:18, sits inside Matthew 16. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
Supporting Passages
"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
Explore this question from another angle
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.
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.