Apostle Peter

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Peter is one of the most fascinating people in the New Testament. John's gospel, out of the four that were written, mentions Peter the most by recording his name 34 times in 31 verses in the King James. The book of Acts, however, references him more than any New Testament writing with his name recorded 58 times in 56 verses.

Timeline of Peter's Life and Ministry

Below are some interesting facts about the Apostle Peter who was tasked with preaching the gospel to the Jews (see Galatians 2:7 - 9).

Family

Peter, whose father's name was Jonah (John 1:42), was likely born in Bethsaida (John 1:44). Bethsaida is located east of the Jordan River on the northeast corner of the Sea of Galilee.

At an unknown time before his calling Peter appears to have moved to Capernaum where he lived with his wife and her mother along with brother Andrew (Mark 1:21, 29 - 29, 1Corinthians 9:5).

Peter is one of a least four other disciples who had earned a living as a fisherman. The others were Andrew, James and John (Matthew 4:18 - 22).

Calling

Peter was the third person called to be a disciple by Jesus Christ. The first two were John and Peter's brother Andrew (John 1).


Statue of Saint Peter
Saint Peter
Baccio Bandinelli, 1515 - 17

Peter was one of two people known to have been led to Jesus by another disciple. In his case, his brother Andrew led him to the Lord (John 1:40 - 42). Philip brought Nathanael to Christ as well (verses 45 - 51).

Peter and his brother Andrew were not the only set of brothers called to be Jesus' disciples. James (the Greater) and John were brothers as they were the sons of Zebedee. A third set of brothers was composed of James the son of Alphaeus (James the Less), Judas brother of James and Simon the Canaanite (Simon the Zealot).

Writings

Although Peter did not write one of the four gospels, he almost certainly helped Mark write his. Mark was with the apostle when he wrote 1Peter from ancient Babylon (1Peter 5:13).

Peter, who wrote 1 and 2Peter, is one of only three apostles whose writings appear in the New Testament. The other two are Matthew (the gospel of Matthew) and John (the gospel of John, 1, 2 and 3John as well as Revelation).

Peter is in the elite group of eight men whose writings were included in the New Testament. The other writers were Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Apostle Paul, James (Jesus' half-brother) and Jude (another half-brother).

A Unique Witness

Peter is the only one of Jesus' apostles who both witnessed his transfiguration (Matthew 17:3 - 9, Mark 9:5 - 10, Luke 9:31 - 36) and wrote about it.

For we did not follow cleverly concocted myths as our authority, when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His magnificent glory;

Because He received glory and honor from God the Father when the voice came to Him from the Majestic Glory, "This is My Son, the Beloved, in Whom I am well pleased." And this is the voice from heaven that we heard when we were with Him on the holy mountain (2Peter 1:16 - 18, HBFV).

Peter is the only apostle who bore witness to Jesus' deity during the Lord's lifetime. He did this not only once but twice!

Then Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16 HBFV throughout).

Therefore, Jesus said to the twelve, "Are you also desiring to go away?" Then Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; And we have believed and have known that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (John 6:67 - 69).

Also Known As

Peter is referred to in several ways in the King James New Testament. He is referenced as Simon called Peter (Matthew 4:18), Simon Peter (Matthew 16:16), Simon Barjona (Matthew 16:17) or just simply Simon (Matthew 17:25). He is also called Simon surnamed Peter (Mark 3:16), Simon the son of Jona (John 1:42) and Simon son of Jonas (John 21:17).

The name Cephas, which means a small stone, was given to Peter by Jesus (John 1:42). The only New Testament writer, other than the Apostle John, to refer to him by this name is the Apostle Paul (1Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5 and Galatians 2:9).

Peter and Paul

Peter's name is recorded, in the King James Bible, 162 times in 156 verses. This compares to Paul's name, which is mentioned 163 times in 159 New Testament verses.

Peter's ministry lasted roughly 38 years, from Pentecost in 30 A.D. until his martyrdom (likely) in 68 A.D. Paul's ministry ran for about 35 years, from the time of his conversion in 33 A.D. to his death in Rome in 68 A.D. just before Nero's suicide on June 9.

Peter mentions himself in both books he wrote (1 and 2Peter). Contrast this with the Apostle Paul, whose name is mentioned in thirteen of his fourteen writings. The only book he wrote that did not include his name is Hebrews.

Peter's life is referenced in nine New Testament books. They are the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the book of Acts, Paul's books of 1Corinthians and Galatians, as well as his own written books of 1 and 2Peter. This compares to Paul, whose life is referenced in thirteen of his writings as well as the book of Acts and 2Peter.

Peter mentions Paul once (2Peter 3:15) in the King James Bible while Paul refers to him five times (Galatians 1:18, 2:7 - 14). Paul also references him five more times as Cephas (1Corinthians 1:12, 3:22, 9:5, 15:5 and Galatians 2:9), the name given him by Jesus.

Other than Jesus, Peter and Paul are the only two New Testament individuals known to have resurrected someone from the dead (Acts 9:36 - 40, Acts 20:9 - 12).

Martyrdom

Peter is the only one of the disciples who had his martyrdom revealed to him by Jesus.

"Truly, truly I (Jesus) say to you, since you were young, you have dressed yourself and walked wherever you have desired; but when you are old, you shall stretch out your hands, and another shall dress you and bring you where you do not desire to go."

Now He said this to signify by what death he would glorify God (John 21:18 - 19).

Recommended Articles
Apostle Peter's Life and Ministry Timeline!
Did Apostle Paul Write Hebrews?
Who Has Been Resurrected from the Dead?
Did Peter Die in Rome?
Location of Bethsaida Map
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How Did Peter Die?

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Series References
1906 Jewish Encyclopedia
Adam Clarke's Commentary
AMG Concise Bible Dictionary
Biblical Basis for Modern Science
Complete Book of Bible Lists
Complete Book of Who's Who in the Bible
Encyclopedia of Bible Facts
Harmony of the Gospels
Hitchcock's Biblical Names Dictionary
Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah
Mysterious Numbers of the Hebrew Kings
Thayer's Greek Definitions
U.S. Library of Congress
Willmington's Guide to Bible Knowledge