Peter

Peter, also called Simon and Cephas, was a fisherman of Galilee called by Jesus to be one of the twelve apostles. He confessed Jesus as the Christ, denied him three times, and after the resurrection became a leading preacher in the early church.

Call

• Matthew 4:18-20
  ¹⁸And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. ¹⁹And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.And at once they left their nets and followed Him.
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• Luke 5:8-10
  ⁸When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.” ⁹For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”
  Show context · Read Luke 5 →
• John 1:40-42
  ⁴⁰One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. ⁴¹He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ). ⁴²And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).
  Show context · Read John 1 →

With Jesus

• Matthew 14:28-31
  ²⁸And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” ²⁹And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” ³¹And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
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• Matthew 16:15-19
  ¹⁵He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” ¹⁶And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar–jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. ¹⁸And 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.And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. ¹⁹And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
  Show context · Read Matthew 16 →
• Matthew 17:1-4
  ¹And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. ²And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with Jesus. ⁴Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, I will put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
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Denial and restoration

• Matthew 26:33-35
  ³³Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.Peter said to Him, “Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.” ³⁴Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” ³⁵Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.Peter replied, “Even if I have to die with You, I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.
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• Matthew 26:69-75
  ⁶⁹Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. ⁷⁰But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.” ⁷¹And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁷²And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!” ⁷³And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” ⁷⁴Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.Then Peter remembered the word that Jesus had spoken: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.
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• John 21:15-17
  ¹⁵So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.” ¹⁶He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus told him, “Shepherd My sheep.” ¹⁷He 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.Jesus asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love Me?” Peter was deeply hurt that Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love Me?” “Lord, You know all things,” he replied. “You know I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
  Show context · Read John 21 →

In the early church

• Acts 2:14
  But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, lifted up his voice, and addressed the crowd: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen carefully to my words.
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• Acts 2:38-41
  ³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.” ⁴⁰And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.With many other words he testified, and he urged them, “Be saved from this corrupt generation.” ⁴¹Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.Those who embraced his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to the believers that day.
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• Acts 3:6-8
  ⁶Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.But Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” ⁷And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.Taking him by the right hand, Peter helped him up, and at once the man’s feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.He sprang to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and leaping and praising God.
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• Acts 10:34-35
  ³⁴Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:Then Peter began to speak: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism, ³⁵But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.
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• Acts 12:6-7
  ⁶And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.On the night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, with sentries standing guard at the entrance to the prison. ⁷And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his wrists.
  Show context · Read Acts 12 →

Death foretold and his letters

• John 21:18-19
  ¹⁸Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.Truly, truly, I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” ¹⁹This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. And after He had said this, He told him, “Follow Me.”
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• 1 Peter 1:1
  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To the elect who are exiles of the Dispersion throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, chosen
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• 2 Peter 1:1
  Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
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• 2 Peter 1:14
  Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.because I know that this tent will soon be laid aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.
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See also

• Paul
• Discipleship
• Forgiveness
• Church

Notes

1. Verses are quoted in the translation chosen in the Translation menu at the top of the page. See Translations for sources and copyright notices.
2. Each reference links to the full chapter so the verse can be read in context.