St. Peter the Apostle
St.Peter the apostle also known as Simeon or Simon had struggled with accepting the divinity of God many times. However, despite his doubts, Jesus continued to guide him towards God’s divinity. Eventually, he transformed according to God’s will. Jesus called him Bar-Jona because his father’s name was Jonah (Son of Jonah). In Hebrew, the word “bar” means “son“. He was from Bethsaida, a village near the Sea of Galilee.
“Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.” ( John1:44 )
This town is the hometown of Jesus apostles James, John (a friend of Peter) and Andrew (Peter’s brother). They were all fishermen.
“And 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.” ( Matthew 4:18 )
Peter was married and also had a mother-in-law and a brother. And he arose out of the synagogue and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever and they besought him for her.
“And he arose out of the synagogue and entered into Simon’s house. And Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with fever and they besought him for her.” ( Luke 4:38 )
St.Peter and St.Andrew along with the apostles James and John were partners in their occupation and close friends.
‘And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother in a ship with Zebedee their father mending their nets and he called them.” ( Matthew 4:21 )
“Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.” ( Mark 1:16 )
“And they beckoned unto their partners which were in the other ship that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships so that they began to sink.” ( Luke 5:7 )
Peter nicknamed “Rock” by Jesus for his unwavering faith was frequently rebuked by him. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus reprimanded Peter in front of others saying,
“Can’t you stay awake and pray with me for at least an hour?”. This incident highlights the compassionate yet strict nature of Jesus, as he scolded those who had a strong faith in God. Those who firmly believe in God are expected to take on responsibilities. “And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?” ( Mark 14:37 )
Despite the availability of many boats in the Sea of Galilee, Jesus chose to sit in Peter’s boat and perform many miracles. Therefore, Peter’s boat was chosen as the vessel to perform the miracle on the Sea of Galilee. Due to Peter’s unwavering faith, Jesus chose him to establish his church.
“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.’
( Matthew 16-18 )
St.Peter was given the authority to bind and lose things both in heaven and on earth. And Ananias hearing these words fell and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, carried him out and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after when his wife, not knowing what was done came. And Peter answered unto her, tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, “Yeah, for so much”.
Then Peter said unto her, “How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door and shall carry thee out. Then she fell down straightway at his feet and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in and found her dead and carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.” ( Acts 5:5-10 )
CALLING OF ST.PETER
After Jesus performed a miracle, St.Peter’s boat was filled with a lot of fish. St.Peter then asked his close friends.
“For he was astonished, and all that were with him at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:” ( Luke 5:9 )
and partners, James and John to help transfer the fish to their boats. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net broke.
And they beckoned unto their partners which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came and filled both the ships so that they began to sink.” ( Luke 5:6-7 )
After performing the miracle, Simon Peter humbly asks for forgiveness for his sins in front of Jesus.
‘When Simon Peter saw it, he fell at Jesus knees, saying, “Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.”
( Luke 5:8 )
Then they all worked together, a miracle from Jesus allowed them to fill their boats with an abundant supply of fish. Then Jesus said to St.Peter that he would now be catching people instead of fish.St.Peter left his nets and boats behind and began following Jesus from then on.
“And 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.” ( Luke 5:10 )
DID ST. PETER SEE JESUS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT?
Although Jesus stayed in Galilee, none of his disciples including St.Peter, John, Andrews and James were present with him at that time. Andrew, brother of Peter was a disciple of St. John met Jesus and spent time with him.
“Then Jesus turned and saw them following and saith unto them, “What seek ye?”. They said unto him, “Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou?” He saith unto them, “Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.” ( John 1:38-39 )
Andrews introduced Peter to Jesus and took him to where Jesus was staying.
“One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his brother Simon and saith unto him, “We have found the Messiah which is being interpreted, the Christ.”
( John 1:40-41 )The following day Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus in person after telling him about Jesus. When Jesus laid eyes on Peter, he recognized that he had a solid and unwavering faith. Right then and there, during their first meeting, Jesus called Simon Peter by the name Cephas, which translates to “Rock” in Aramaic. This name was later translated to the Greek word “Peter” which also means “rock.” “And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, “Thou art Simon the son of Jonah: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted as, “A stone.” ( John 1:42 )
However, Peter was impulsive and often acted without considering the consequences.
‘And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:’
( Luke 22:31 )
In the garden of the Gethsemane, when the soldiers of the high priest tried to arrest Jesus, that time Peter having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.
“And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.”
( Mark 14:47 )
“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”
( John 21:15 )
When St.Peter was brought before Annas, Caiaphas, and other members of the high priest’s family, he denied knowing Jesus and even cursed him.
“But he began to curse and to swear, saying, “I know not this man of whom ye speak.” ( Mark 14:71 )
“And when he had called unto his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all sickness and disease. Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus whose surname was Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite and Judas Iscariot who also betrayed him.” ( Matthew 10:1-4 )
St.Peter kept denying that he didn’t know Jesus, even though he had previously acknowledged him.
“And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, “Art, not thou also one of his disciples?”. He denied it and said, “I am not.” ( John 18-25 )
“And he denied him, saying, “Woman, I know him not”. And after a little while, another saw him and said, “Thou art also of them”. And Peter said, “Man, I am not.” ( Luke 22:57-58 )
St.Peter was sceptical about the resurrection of Jesus and continued with his fishing. After the resurrection, Jesus performed a miracle by multiplying the fishes.
“When Jesus saith unto them, “Children, have ye any meat?”. They answered him, “No”. And he said unto them, “Cast the net on the right side of the ship and ye shall find”. They cast, therefore and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes. “Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, “It is the Lord”. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his fisher’s coat unto him, (for he was naked) and cast himself into the sea. And the other disciples came in a little ship; (for they were not far from land, but as it were two hundred cubits) dragging the net with fishes. As soon they came to the land, they saw a fire of coals there and fish laid thereon and bread. Jesus saith unto them, “Bring of the fish which ye have now caught”. Simon Peter went up and drew the net to land full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three: and for all, there were so many, yet was not the net broken.” ( John 21:5-11 )
Upon witnessing this miracle, Peter felt remorseful and apologized to Jesus. In response, Jesus asked him, “Do you love me more than anything else?”. Moved by the question, Peter expressed his deep love for Jesus and even threw away his boats, and nets and became his discipline. So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, 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”. He saith unto him again the second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep”. He saith to him again the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?” He saith unto him, “Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee”. He saith unto him, “Feed my sheep”. ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girded 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.” ( John 21:15-18 )
Peter with 120 people prayed in the the upper room of the house at Jerusalem. Peter was the leader of this prayer group. “And in those days Peter stood up amidst the disciples and said, “together the crowd numbered about a hundred and twenty,” ( Acts 1:15 )
The Holy Spirit filled 120 people, Peter was the only person who testified to Jesus in front of the 3000 people. Because of his one preaching 3000 people repented and were baptized. “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” ( Acts 2:41 )
St.Peter is believed to have died as a martyr for his faith. His death occurred in Rome during the reign of the emperor Nero between
A.D. 64-68.