Difference between revisions of "Category:Peter (subject)"

Simon Peter (1st cent. CE), a Jew from Galilee, was one of the disciples of Jesus of Nazareth, the brother of Andrew, and a major leader of the nascent Christian movement.

Peter in ancient sources

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The character of Peter is known exclusively from Christian sources, and is associated with numerous events of the life of Jesus and the life of the early Christian movement.

The call of Peter (and Andrew)

In the Gospel of Mark, Simon and his brother Andrew are introduced as "fishermen" whom Jesus met while "passing along the Sea of Galilee" (Mk 1:16). Jesus invited them to follow him and "fish for people" (1:17). They "immediately left their nets and followed him" (1:18). The same did, immediately later, the sons of Zebedee, James and John. Then they all went to Capernaeum, where "the house of Simon and Andrew" was (Mk 1:29). Simon was married; his "mother-in-law was in bed with a fever" but Jesus healed her (1:30-31). The next morning, Jesus got up and went out to pray. "Simon and his companions hunted for him [until] they found him". They left Capernaeum and "went throughout Galilee" (1:35-39).

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus first entered "the house of Simon" and healed his "mother-in-law". Then he met Simon on "his boat.

According to the Gospel of John, Peter and his brother Andrew were from Bethsaida in Galilee (Jn 1:44). It was Andrew, a former disciple of John the Baptist, who first met Jesus and then "found his brother Simon [Peter]" and brought him to Jesus, saying: "We have found the Messiah" (Jn 1:35-41).

The appointment of the Twelve and the naming of Peter

According to the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus appointed Twelve of his disciples as "apostles": "Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter)" is listed first. His name was changed by Jesus himself (3:13-19).

The Gospel of Matthew provides a similar list of the Twelve but does not relate the name Peter to Jesus' decision. Simon "is called Peter" even before meeting Jesus" (4:18).

In the Gospel of John the name Peter was imposed by Jesus on him as soon as he met him (Jn 1:42).

The healing of the daughter of Jairus

According to the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus went to the house of Jairus to heal his daughter, "he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James" (Mk 5.37)

The confession of Peter

After asking his disciples: "Who do people say that I am?... Jesus asked them, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered him, You are the Christ.” (Mk 8:27-30). But when Jesus added that "the Son of Man must undergo great suffering... Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, [Jesus] rebuked Peter and said, Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man (8:31-33).

In the Gospel of Thomas, Peter is said to have answered: "You are a righteous angel" (13.

The Transfiguration of Jesus

After six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them... and there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus... And Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. He did not know what to say, for they were terrified." (9:2-8).

Abandoning everything for Jesus

Mark.10.28	Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.”

====The Fig Tree==== Mark.11.21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

====The Eschatological Discourse==== Mark.13.3 "And as he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately" about the end of times.

Peter's Denial

Mark.14.29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” Mark.14.33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. Mark.14.37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Mark.14.54 And Peter had followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he was sitting with the guards and warming himself at the fire. Mark.14.66 And as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came, Mark.14.67 and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with the Nazarene, Jesus.” Mark.14.70 But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders again said to Peter, “Certainly you are one of them, for you are a Galilean.” Mark.14.72 And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

Resurrection of Jesus

• Mark.16.7 But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.”

The origins of the Church in Jerusalem

The early Christian tradition is rich of details also about the role of Peter after the death of Jesus.

Peter in Rome

Later Christian traditions

Peter in Scholarship

The figure of the historical Peter has been subject of inquiry since the Renaissance (Erasmus).

Peter in Fiction

As the chief of the Twelve, Peter is a major figure in Christian iconography. The aura of respect that surrounded his figure (and his association with the Papacy), however, limited for centuries his potential as a dramatic character in fiction. Only in the 20th centuries, Peter has received more attention by novelists and filmmakers, notably,

Related categories

• Jesus of Nazareth (subject) / Andrew (subject)
• Christian origins (subject) / Nero (subject)

External links

• Wikipedia