Illustration of Peter, a man in green ancient robes with a beard and mustache, standing with one foot on a rock, holding a fishing net and pointing at his chest with the other hand

“Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.'”

Matthew 16:16

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.”

Matthew 16:18

“Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Acts 3:6

“Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

Matthew 14:28

“Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

Luke 5:8

“We must obey God rather than human beings!”

Acts 5:29

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Peter

This page includes depictions of biblical events including violence, warfare, and mature themes as described in the original biblical narrative.

The bold disciple.

Peter's Life Story

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Illustration of Peter as a fisherman, casting his net into the sea

Peter was a fisherman before he met Jesus. He went about his business catching fish, having no idea that he would be called by God to work with Jesus. His name Peter means Rock, and Jesus emphasized this, making it known that Peter will be a foundational tool for the church of God on earth.

Illustration of Peter and his partners catching a lot of fish after Jesus told them to cast their net into the sea again

Peter's walk with Jesus began when he offered his boat for a teaching, even when he had reason to be downcast by the outcome of his fishing for the day. After Jesus finished his teaching, he ordered Peter to have another go and the fishes he caught almost sank his boat. Peter left all these behind and followed Jesus.

Illustration of Peter boldly confessing that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, pointing at Jesus

Peter was willing to grow in faith and discipleship. His desire helped him accept truths that other disciples could not imagine and make moves that they did not have the boldness to make. He was the first disciple to call Jesus the Messiah, and this was by the wisdom of God that was bestowed upon him.

Illustration of Peter trying to walk on water like Jesus, but sinking when the wind blows

However, Peter also had several moments of failure, like every other human. One time, he practiced his faith and tried to walk on water like Jesus, but when the wind started blowing, he was afraid and he sank. Peter also denied Jesus three times when he was called a follower of Christ before Jesus was crucified.

Illustration of Jesus asking Peter three times if he loves Him

Peter's mission as a disciple was restored when Jesus appeared to them for a third time after his crucifixion. Jesus asked Peter one question three times: “Do you love me?” and Peter answered yes. This countered his denial of Jesus and from here, he received an instruction to tend and feed Jesus' sheep, which is the church.

Illustration of Peter preaching at Pentecost to thousands of people converting to Christianity

Peter became a powerful leader and preacher of the Gospel of Christ. On the day of Pentecost when the disciples were overcome by the Holy Spirit and spoke different languages, Peter preached a sermon that made about 3,000 people convert and follow Christ. Peter also performed several miracles in his lifetime.

Illustration of Peter sitting in prison looking at peace

Peter was faced with persecution and imprisonment many times for preaching the gospel of Christ, but he continued until he was killed. Even in the face of death, Peter asked to be crucified upside down as he was not worthy to die the same way as Jesus Christ. Truly, he was a strong rock for the building of the church.

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Important Events

Illustration of Peter and his partners catching a lot of fish after Jesus told them to cast their net into the sea again

Peter's Call to Discipleship

Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, alongside his partners, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were having a bad day at work. They had toiled all night trying to catch fish but caught none. As they retired for the night, Jesus came around the Lake and asked to use Peter's boat to teach the great crowd that was with Him, and Peter agreed to this.

After the teaching, Jesus told Peter to cast his net into the lake one more time. Peter was reluctant, since he had toiled with his colleagues all night and caught no fish, but he obeyed Jesus and threw his net into the water. When the catch was so great the net began to break, Peter and his friends were amazed!

Jesus asked Peter to come with him, saying “from now on you will fish for people.” Peter and his partners left their great catch and followed Jesus.

Luke 5:1-11
Illustration of Peter boldly confessing to Jesus that He is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, pointing at Jesus

Peter's Confession of Jesus as the Messiah

Jesus had more disciples at this time, and He wanted to know how they looked at Him. So, He asked them who the people around thought He was.

The disciples answered, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

Jesus was interested in who He was to his disciples and asked, “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus was pleased by His response, knowing that it could only be the Spirit of God who had revealed this response to Peter, so He Blessed and granted him access to the Kingdom of Heaven where his prayers would be answered.

Jesus also asked His disciples that they must not let people know that He was Jesus Christ, because He wanted prophecy to play out just as God had planned.

Matthew 16:13-20
Illustration of Peter angrily denying Jesus three times in the courtyard

Peter Denies Jesus Three Times

Jesus had been arrested by people who did not like Him or His methods of teaching, and they wanted to kill Him. They took Him to the house of the high priest, and Peter followed them very carefully at a distance. As they sat in the courtyard, warming themselves, Peter joined them. A servant girl saw him and accused Peter of being one of Jesus' disciples, but Peter denied it immediately because he was scared. He said he did not know Jesus.

Another man saw Peter after some time and said the same thing, but Peter denied being a disciple. An hour later, another person called Peter a Galilean and disciple, but Peter denied strongly.

As he spoke, the rooster crowed and Peter remembered the words of Jesus Christ: “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.”

Peter went out and wept bitterly, knowing he had betrayed his master.

Matthew 26:69-75; Mark 14:66-72; Luke 22:54-62; John 18:15-27
Illustration of Peter preaching at Pentecost, and people listening intently

Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit had come upon the Twelve Disciples causing them to speak in different languages. People who saw this were marveled by it and some said that the disciples were drunk, but Peter stood up to speak on behalf of the others. He reminded the people of the prophecy of Prophet Joel, where it was said that God would cause His servants to do signs and wonders, prophesy, and see visions because of the Spirit of God that will be upon them.

He also spoke the words of David about Jesus Christ, letting the people know that even though they took laws into their own hands and killed Jesus, He had risen and it was His Spirit that overcame the disciples as they all saw.

The people were heartbroken, and Peter encouraged them to repent from their old ways. That day, several people were baptized and about 3,000 souls were added to the followers of Christ.

Acts 2:14-41

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Fun Facts

Peter Was Originally Called Simon

After His baptism, Jesus Christ assembled the disciples. John, Andrew (who was Simon Peter's brother), and Simon Peter were the first followers of Christ.

Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus recognized Simon as the son of John and said he would be called Cephas, which translates to Peter (meaning 'stone' or 'rock').

John 1:42; Matthew 16:15-18

The Fisher of Men

Jesus borrowed Peter's boat so he could preach to the people who had gathered by the sea.

After Preaching, Jesus told Peter to cast his net into the sea. Peter and Andrew caught so many fish that their net broke. Jesus told them to follow him, so He could make them a fisher of men, which they did.

Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:16-20; Luke 5:2-11; John 1:40-42

Peter Was One of the Closest Disciples to Jesus

Peter was one of the closest disciples of Jesus, he was always seen with Jesus. When Jesus went to the mountain where the transfiguration took place, Peter was among the disciples who were there.

He was also present alongside two other disciples when Jesus was arrested at the Garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 16:16-18; Luke 22:32; John 1:42

Walking on Water

When Jesus had told His disciples to go ahead of Him and get on a boat, Jesus got on the water and walked towards where his disciples' boat was. His disciples were marveled, Peter in fact wanted to imitate Jesus and He encouraged Peter.

Surprisingly, Peter walked on the water briefly, before he got scared and started to sink and Jesus caught him.

Matthew 14:22-33

Peter Was a Witness to Jesus' Resurrection

On the third day, after Jesus' crucifixion, Mary Magdalene had gone to His tomb and found it empty. She had run back to inform the disciples that Jesus' body was missing. Peter and another disciple ran as fast as their legs could carry them to the tomb. Upon getting there, they found it empty!

John 20:3-6; Acts 2

Peter Performed Several Miracles

Peter performed several miracles, some which included healing a cripple beggar at the gate of the temple. The man had been lame from birth but miraculously walked when Paul and John prayed for him.

Peter also prayed for Aeneas, who had been paralyzed for eight years, and he was healed.

He also rose Tabitha from the dead.

Acts 3:1-10; 9:32-35, 36-43

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Illustration of Peter, a man in green ancient robes with a beard and mustache, standing with one foot on a rock, holding a fishing net and pointing at his chest with the other hand Illustration of Peter, a man in green ancient robes with a beard and mustache, standing with one foot on a rock, holding a fishing net and pointing at his chest with the other hand

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Books and chapters

  • Matthew 4; 8; 10; 14-19; 26
  • Mark 3; 5; 8-11; 13-14; 16
  • Luke 5-6; 8-9; 12; 18; 22; 24
  • John 1; 6; 13; 18; 20-21
  • Acts 1-5; 8-12; 15
  • Galatians 1-2 (also as Cephas)
  • 1 Corinthians 1; 3; 9; 15 (as Cephas)
  • 1 Peter
  • 2 Peter

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