Who was the Apostle Peter — Meaning Explained
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)
What "Who was the Apostle Peter?" Actually Means
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.
Anchor Verses (KJV)
Matthew 16:18
"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."
John 21:17
"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."
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