apostle · New Testament
Peter
The Rock
Strong's G4074 — original-language name study
Peter was the bold, impulsive fisherman who became the leading apostle. Despite denying Christ three times, he was restored and became a pillar of the early church.
Simon Peter was a fisherman from Bethsaida when his brother Andrew brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas," which means "rock" or "Peter." This name would prove prophetic, though Peter often seemed more like shifting sand than solid rock during Jesus' ministry.
Peter was part of Jesus' inner circle, witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus's daughter, and the agony in Gethsemane. He was often the first to speak, sometimes brilliantly confessing Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God," and sometimes terribly, earning the rebuke "Get thee behind me, Satan." He boldly declared he would never abandon Jesus, then denied knowing Him three times in one night.
After Jesus' resurrection, Peter was specifically sought out for restoration. Jesus asked him three times, "Lovest thou me?"—once for each denial—and commissioned him to "feed my sheep." At Pentecost, Peter preached and 3,000 were converted. He opened the door of faith to the Gentiles in Cornelius's house and became a leader of the Jerusalem church.
Peter faced persecution fearlessly. He was imprisoned, beaten, and threatened, yet rejoiced at suffering for Christ. His two letters encourage believers facing trials and warn against false teachers. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified in Rome under Nero, asking to be crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die like his Lord. The impulsive, failing fisherman had indeed become a rock.
Key Scriptures
"And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God."
"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."
Lessons from Peter's Life
- 1.Jesus transforms ordinary, flawed people into extraordinary servants.
- 2.Our failures don't have to define our future when we accept Christ's restoration.
- 3.True boldness comes from having been with Jesus.
- 4.Leadership in God's kingdom comes through humble service.
Books Featuring Peter
Related Characters
View all ApostleJesus Christ
The Son of God
Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity, the Son of God who became man to save humanity from sin through His death and resurrection.
Andrew
The First Follower
Andrew was Peter's brother and one of Jesus' first disciples. He is remembered for bringing others to Jesus, including his brother and the boy with loaves and fishes.
John the Apostle
The Beloved Disciple
John was one of Jesus' closest disciples, known as 'the disciple whom Jesus loved.' He wrote the Gospel of John, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation.
Paul
Apostle to the Gentiles
Paul was a zealous persecutor of Christians until his dramatic conversion on the Damascus road. He became the most influential apostle, writing much of the New Testament and spreading the gospel throughout the Roman Empire.
John Mark
The Restored Deserter
John Mark deserted Paul's first missionary journey but was later restored, becoming the author of the Gospel of Mark and a valuable servant to both Paul and Peter.
Dorcas (Tabitha)
The Charitable Seamstress
Dorcas was a disciple in Joppa known for her charitable works, especially making garments for widows. When she died, Peter raised her from the dead.
Test yourself
Peter the Apostle Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
Miracles Featuring Peter
Every miracle in Scripture where Peter appears or is directly involved.
Healing of Peter's Mother-in-Law
Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law of a great fever, and she rises to serve them.
Read the miracleDorcas Raised from the Dead
Peter prays in an upper room and Dorcas, a beloved disciple, is raised back to life.
Read the miracleHealing of the Lame Man at the Beautiful Gate
Peter and John heal a man lame from birth at the temple gate called Beautiful.
Read the miraclePeter Released from Prison by an Angel
An angel of the Lord wakes Peter in prison, opens chains and gates, and leads him to freedom.
Read the miracleJesus Walks on Water
Jesus walked on the Sea of Galilee in the fourth watch of the night and bid Peter come to Him.
Read the miracleThe Miraculous Catch of Fish
After a fruitless night, Peter let down the nets at Jesus' word and caught so many fish the nets began to break.
Read the miraclePentecost — Tongues of Fire
The Holy Spirit fell on the disciples with a rushing wind and cloven tongues of fire on the day of Pentecost.
Read the miracleThe Coin in the Fish's Mouth
Jesus tells Peter to cast a hook and find a coin in the first fish to pay the temple tax.
Read the miracleThe Transfiguration of Jesus
Jesus is transfigured on a mountain, His face shining as the sun, with Moses and Elijah appearing.
Read the miracleHealing of Malchus' Ear
Jesus restores the severed ear of the high priest's servant at His arrest in Gethsemane.
Read the miracleThe Resurrection of Jesus
On the third day Jesus rose from the dead, conquering sin, death, and the grave.
Read the miracleHealing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood
A woman who had bled for twelve years touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was made whole.
Read the miracleJairus's Daughter Raised
Jesus took a dead twelve-year-old girl by the hand and said, 'Talitha cumi' — and she rose.
Read the miracleCursing of the Fig Tree
Jesus curses a barren fig tree and it withers from the roots by the next morning.
Read the miracleTest your knowledge of Peter
Free KJV Bible quizzes featuring this character — every answer cites a verse.
- Medium · 10 Qs
Peter the Apostle Quiz
The fisherman who became a fisher of men.
Start quiz - Hard · 10 Qs
2 Peter Bible Quiz
Add to your faith, beware false teachers, and look for the new heavens.
Start quiz - Medium · 10 Qs
Peter Bible Quiz
The fisherman who left his nets to follow Jesus — rock of the church and bold apostle of Pentecost.
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