Peter

the fisherman

Who was Peter?

His name was Simon, and he was a fisherman, like his brother Andrew. Matthew 4:18
Jesus gave him a new name: Cephas, which means Peter. John 1:42
He recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16

The name: Jesus named him Cephas, an Aramaic word that means “stone” or “rock”; in Greek it is Peter. John 1:42; NABRE note on Jn 1, 42
Also called: Simon Matthew 4:18 · Cephas John 1:42 · Simon Peter Matthew 16:16 · Simon, son of Jonah Matthew 16:17 · Simon, son of John John 21:15
From: Bethsaida, in Galilee John 1:44; John 12:21
Occupation: Fisherman Matthew 4:18
Feast day: June 29: Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

What the Bible says

Matthew 4:18

And Jesus walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers).

John 1:42

And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.

Matthew 16:16

Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The path of Peter

Before Jesus. He fished on the Sea of Galilee with his brother Andrew. Matthew 4:18
With Jesus. Andrew brought Simon to Jesus, and Jesus gave him a new name: Cephas. John 1:41-42
With Jesus. By the lake, Jesus called him to be a fisher of men. Peter left his nets and followed him. Matthew 4:19-20
With Jesus. He recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus promised him the keys of the Kingdom. Matthew 16:16-19
With Jesus. On the night of the arrest, he denied Jesus three times. Afterward he wept bitterly. Luke 22:54-62
Afterward. The risen Jesus asked him three times if he loved him, and gave him the task of caring for his sheep. John 21:15-17
Afterward. On the day of Pentecost, he spoke to the people in Jerusalem, and about three thousand were baptized. Acts 2:1, 14, 41
Afterward. According to Tradition: According to tradition, he died a martyr in Rome, crucified upside down. Eusebius, Church History III, 1, 2 (quoting Origen)

Words of Peter

“Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8

After a catch of fish so big that the nets were tearing.

“Lord, save me.” Matthew 14:30

He was walking on the water toward Jesus when the wind frightened him, and he began to sink.

“Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:16

When Jesus asked his disciples who they said he was.

“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

When many stopped following Jesus, and he asked the Twelve if they wanted to leave too.

“Woman, I know him not.” Luke 22:57

On the night of the arrest, when a servant girl said that he had been with Jesus too.

What they were like

Impulsive and brave: he asked to walk on the water toward Jesus, and he began to sink when he became afraid. Matthew 14:28-31
When they came to arrest Jesus, he drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant. Jesus told him to put the sword away. John 18:10-11
When many people left, he said: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

The greatest thing they did

He recognized Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Matthew 16:16
On the day of Pentecost, he spoke to the crowd, and about three thousand people were baptized. Acts 2:14, 41

Not to be confused with

Simon the Zealot: There are two men named Simon among the Twelve. Jesus called this one Peter; the other is called the Zealot. Luke 6:14-15

In the Church today

Feast day: June 29, Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles (solemnity). General Roman Calendar

Patron of: Of Rome, together with Saint Paul Leo XIV, Angelus of June 29, 2026

In art, recognized by: The keys From Mt 16, 19; this is how Christian art shows him; A rooster, for the night he denied Jesus From Lc 22, 60-61; this is how Christian art shows him

Peter in art

What people ask

Was Peter married?

Yes. Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law in Capernaum. Mark 1:29-31

Who was Peter’s brother?

Andrew, who was also a fisherman. It was Andrew who brought him to Jesus. Matthew 4:18; John 1:41-42

Was Peter the first Pope?

The Church teaches that Jesus made Peter the rock of his Church and gave him the keys. The Pope, the Bishop of Rome, is the successor of Peter. Matthew 16:18-19; Catechism 881-882

How many times did Peter deny Jesus?

Three times, on the night Jesus was arrested. When the rooster crowed, Jesus looked at him, and Peter went out and wept bitterly. Luke 22:54-62

How did Saint Peter die?

Jesus told Peter by what kind of death he would glorify God. According to tradition, he died crucified in Rome, upside down. John 21:18-19; Eusebius, Church History III, 1, 2 (quoting Origen)

Daily life He was a fisherman, and he was married: Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Mark 1:16, 30-31 He was from Bethsaida, but he had a house in Capernaum, by the…

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Who Peter is connected to

Andrew · brothers
Jesus · gave him his name
John the Apostle · companions
Mary Magdalene · told him
Paul · the two pillars
Mark · “Mark, my son”
Caiaphas · in the courtyard of his palace
Cleopas · “he has appeared to Simon”
Stephen · chosen by the Twelve
Philip the Deacon · continued his work in Samaria
Cornelius · welcomed him into his home
Annas · questioned him before the council
Saint John Paul II · his successor

More people

All the people of the Bible · The Twelve Apostles · Women of the Bible

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