Peter

The life of Peter

Simon Peter, a fisherman of Galilee whom Jesus named Kepha, the Rock. First to confess Jesus as the Christ, he denied him three times and was restored after the resurrection, led the apostles at Pentecost, and by tradition died a martyr in Rome.

Born

In Bethsaida of Galilee; he later lived in Capernaum ScriptureJohn 1:44; Mark 1:21, 29

Died

Martyred in Rome under Nero, about AD 64–67, crucified, by tradition upside down at his own request TraditionEusebius, Church History 2.25; 3.1; see John 21:18–19

Family

• Father: Jonah (or John) ScriptureMatthew 16:17; John 1:42
• Brother: Andrew ScriptureJohn 1:40
• Wife: Married; Jesus healed his mother-in-law ScriptureMark 1:30–31; 1 Corinthians 9:5

1. Andrew brings him to Jesus, who names him Cephas, which means Peter, rock.

   ScriptureJohn 1:40–42

2. After a night of catching nothing, he lets down the nets at Jesus’ word, then leaves everything to follow him.

   ScriptureLuke 5:1–11

3. He walks on the water towards Jesus and begins to sink when he doubts.

   ScriptureMatthew 14:28–31

4. At Caesarea Philippi he confesses, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” and receives the keys of the kingdom.

   ScriptureMatthew 16:13–19

5. He sees Jesus transfigured on the mountain, with James and John.

   ScriptureMatthew 17:1–8

6. On the night of the arrest he denies Jesus three times, then weeps bitterly.

   ScriptureMark 14:66–72

7. He runs to the empty tomb, and the risen Lord appears to him.

   ScriptureJohn 20:2–8; Luke 24:34

8. By the Sea of Tiberias Jesus asks him three times, “Do you love me?” and tells him, “Feed my sheep.”

   ScriptureJohn 21:15–19

9. At Pentecost he preaches and about three thousand are baptised.

   ScriptureActs 2:14–41

10. He heals a lame man at the Temple gate, and is arrested and released.

    ScriptureActs 3–4

11. He baptises the Roman centurion Cornelius, the first Gentile convert.

    ScriptureActs 10

12. Imprisoned by Herod Agrippa, he is freed by an angel.

    ScriptureActs 12:1–17

13. The Syriac Orthodox tradition, to which the Malankara Church belongs, honours Peter as the first bishop of Antioch.

    Tradition

14. Two letters in the New Testament bear his name.

    Scripture1 Peter 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1

Sources: The Holy Bible (World English Bible); Eusebius, Church History.

Drafted from the Bible and Church tradition. Each line says where it comes from; anything marked Tradition or History is not in Scripture itself. Waiting for review by a priest or editor.

Sundays with Peter

1. 24 October 2027

   Sixth Sunday after Holy Cross

   Gospel: Luke 18:18–27

   Speaks up next to say the disciples have left everything (Luke 18:28).

2. 19 September 2027

   First Sunday after Holy Cross

   Gospel: Mark 13:28–37

   As one of “Peter, James, John and Andrew”: The four disciples who ask Jesus privately about the end (Mark 13:3).

3. 5 September 2027

   Third Sunday after Shunoyo

   Gospel: Matthew 17:22–27

   A fisherman sent back to fishing for a coin.

   In the story

   • Does your teacher pay? Matthew 17:24–25a

4. 18 April 2027

   Second Sunday after New Sunday

   Gospel: John 21:15–19

   As one of “Simon Peter”: The disciple who denied Jesus three times, now restored.

   In the story

   • More than these? John 21:15
   • Tend my sheep John 21:16
   • Peter is hurt John 21:17
   • When you are old John 21:18–19a

5. 11 April 2027

   First Sunday after New Sunday

   Gospel: John 21:1–14

   Leads the others back to fishing and jumps into the sea to reach Jesus.

   In the story

   • I am going fishing John 21:1–3
   • It is the Lord John 21:7–8
   • A charcoal fire John 21:9–11

6. 31 January 2027

   Sunday of All the Departed Faithful

   Gospel: Luke 12:32–48

   Asks whether the parable is for the disciples or for everyone.

   In the story

   • Is this for us? Luke 12:41–46

7. 10 January 2027

   First Sunday after Denha

   Gospel: Matthew 4:12–22

   As one of “Peter and Andrew”: Brothers from Bethsaida who fished on the Sea of Galilee.

   In the story

   • Fishers for people Matthew 4:18–20

8. 1 November 2026

   Koodosh Eetho

   Gospel: Matthew 16:13–23

   A fisherman from Galilee, the first of the disciples to call Jesus the Christ.

   As one of “Simon bar Jonah”: Peter’s name before Jesus renamed him: Simon, son of Jonah.

   In the story

   • But who do you say I am? Matthew 16:15–16
   • The rock and the keys Matthew 16:17–19
   • Get behind me Matthew 16:22–23

Also in these readings

• Andrew2 Sundays
• James, son of Zebedee3 Sundays
• John, son of Zebedee3 Sundays
• ZZebedeeസെബെദി1 Sunday
• Jacobയാക്കോബ്1 Sunday
• The disciple whom Jesus lovedയേശു സ്നേഹിച്ച ശിഷ്യൻ2 Sundays
• Nathanaelനഥനയേൽ2 Sundays
• Jesusയേശു7 Sundays
• RThe rich ruler1 Sunday

About the icon

Saint Peter, Saint Catherine’s Monastery, Sinai. early 6th century. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.