"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."
Biblical Name · Greek (Petros) Origin
Peter Meaning in the Bible
Peter
boy
Peter means "rock," from the Greek petros — the name Jesus gave to Simon son of Jonas. It is one of the most prominent names in the King James Bible: "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18), spoken after Peter confessed, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16).
Is Peter in the Bible?
Yes — Peter appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 16:18.
Pronunciation:/PEE-ter/
What does Peter mean?
Peter is a boy name of Greek (Petros) origin meaning "Rock; Stone". Peter comes from the Greek word "petros" meaning "rock" or "stone." Jesus gave this name to Simon, declaring, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18).
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What does Peter mean in the Bible?
Peter means "Rock; Stone" and is a name of Greek (Petros) origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Peter comes from the Greek word "petros" meaning "rock" or "stone." Jesus gave this name to Simon, declaring, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). This renaming signified Peter's foundational role in the early church.
Peter was the most prominent of the twelve apostles — bold, impulsive, and passionate. He walked on water (briefly), confessed Jesus as the Christ, and also denied knowing Jesus three times before the crucifixion. His restoration by Jesus on the shores of Galilee is one of the most tender scenes in Scripture.
After Pentecost, Peter became the fearless leader of the early church, preaching the sermon that led three thousand people to faith. His two epistles encourage persecuted believers to stand firm, reminding them of their "living hope" through Christ's resurrection.
Where does Peter appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Peter is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Matthew 16:18. Each verse is quoted in full below.
"He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?... Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep."
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What are the variants and nicknames of Peter?
Peter has 9 recorded variants, short forms, and translations across languages and biblical traditions.
Who was Peter in the Bible?
Peter is most closely associated with the Bible character of the same name. Their story is the reason the name carries the weight it does.
Read About Peter in the BibleWhich books of the Bible mention Peter?
Peter is mentioned across 7 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Peter?
Peter's name — 'Rock' — declares that God builds unshakable things through imperfect people. His journey from denial to bold proclamation assures us that failure is never final with Christ.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Peter:
God Promises Strength in Weakness
Bible promises that God's power is made perfect in your weakness.
God Promises a Harvest If You Don't Give Up
Bible promises for perseverance and not growing weary.
God Promises Courage for Every Battle
Bible promises about divine courage when facing opposition and challenges.
Related Reading
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Word Meaning
Rock (צוּר (tsur))
A symbol of God's strength, stability, refuge, and unchanging faithfulness.
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What names are related to Peter?
Names that pair well with Peter
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Peter
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Peter name meaning: frequently asked questions
Yes — Peter appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 16:18.
Peter means "Rock; Stone." It is a Greek (Petros) name. The King James Bible uses it in Matthew 16:18, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Greek (Petros). Peter comes into English from Greek (Petros) and carries the sense "Rock; Stone." It appears in the King James Bible, including Matthew 16:18.
Common questions about the name Peter
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Peter?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Peter?
You can read every verse where Peter appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.