Saint Peter in Tears, 1660-1665
Bartolome Esteban Murillo

Crucifixion of St Peter, 1601
Michelangelo Caravaggio

Peter was one of the original twelve Apostles (1) of Jesus Christ (2). The synoptic Gospels of Matthew (3), Mark (4) and Luke (5) tell us that Peter and his brother, Andrew (6), were fisherman; John 1:44 discloses they were from Bethsaida. They were the first two (Matthew 10:2) to be called by Christ to follow Him (7) (Matthew 4:18-20).

The New Testament (8) mentions Peter in over 150 instances. Aside from the four Gospels (9), he is also mentioned in Acts of the Apostles (10), 1 Corinthians (11), Galatians (12), 1 Peter (13) and 2 Peter (14).

Peter's birth name was Simon, but Jesus changed it to Cephas (translates into Peter) (John 1:42). At times, he is also referred to as Simon Peter (2 Peter 1:1).

Peter was a leader of the Christian Community (Acts 2:14 and Galatians 2:7-9).

Peter had a mother-in-law. Jesus healed her when she was sick (Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38). See also 1 Corinthians 9:5.

When his faith (15) was strong, Peter walked on water. When he took his eyes off Jesus, he sank and had to be rescued (Matthew 14:22-36).

Matthew declared Jesus as the Messiah (16), the Son of God (17) (Matthew 16:13-19).

At the Last Supper, Peter would (initially) not allow Jesus to wash his feet, but he eventually relented (John 13:1-17).

As the guards approached to arrest Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, Peter used his sword to strike the high priest's servant, cutting off his ear (John 18:10). Jesus then performed a miracle (18) by healing the servant (Malchus).

All four Gospels mention Jesus prophesying during the Last Supper that Peter would deny Him 3 times (Matthew 26:31-35). Although Peter vehemently rebuked this prediction, it happened (John 18:15-18, John 18:25 and John 18:26-27).

After Christ's glorious Resurrection (19), Peter and John were the first to enter His empty tomb (John 20:1-9). See also 1 Corinthians 15:5.

Peter initiated the action of replacing Judas Iscariot (20). After lots were cast, Matthias was added to the eleven Apostles (Acts 1:12-26).

Peter had miraculous healing powers (Acts 3:1-10, Acts 9:32-35), even raising Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek) from the dead (Acts 9:36-43).

A God-fearing centurion named Cornelius has a vision (21) in which God tells him to send for Peter (Acts 10:1-8).

While having a vision/dream, Peter (once again) denies his Lord 3 times (Acts 10:9-16) before being called to preach Christ's message (22) to the Gentiles (Acts 10:17-48).

According to some Bible scholars, the Gospel of Mark was written from Peter's memories. In 1 Peter 5:13,  Peter refers to Mark as "my son."

Clash of the Biblical Titans: The Apostle Paul (23) calls Peter a hypocrite (Galatians 2:11-21).

Peter was imprisoned and sentenced to death by King Herod when an Angel of the Lord showed up and freed him (Acts 12:1-19).

In John 21:18-19, Jesus hints at the death by which Peter would later glorify God. Many Church historians have written that Peter was martyred by the Roman emperor, Nero, between 64-67 AD.
 

For resources galore, explore the Footnotes below! For a printer friendly version of this page, click on the PDF offered in the sidebar. Modifications are welcome at goodnews@downriverdisciples.com.

FOOTNOTES:

  (1) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/twelve-apostles

  (2) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-christ

  (3) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/matthew

  (4) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/mark

  (5) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/luke

  (6) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-andrew

  (7) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/discipleship

  (8) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/new-testament

  (9) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/the-four-gospels

(10) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/acts

(11) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/1-corinthians

(12) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/galatians

(13) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/1-peter

(14) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/2-peter

(15) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/faith-in-god

(16) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/jesus-the-messiah

(17) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/image-of-god

(18) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/miracles-of-jesus

(19) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/resurrection-of-jesus

(20) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/apostle-judas-iscariot

(21) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/visions-of-the-bible

(22) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/called-to-evangelize

(23) https://www.downriverdisciples.com/ambassador-in-chains