Simon Peter

• SCHOLARLY AND FICTIONAL WORKS: see 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.

Overview

The character of Peter is known exclusively from Christian sources, and is associated with numerous events of the life of Jesus of Nazareth. He also has presented as a major leader of the nascent Christian movement.

Peter in the Gospel of Mark

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 Capernaum and "went throughout Galilee" (1:35-39).

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).

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)

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).

According to the Gospels of , Peter was with James, son of Zebedee and John, one of three disciples who were present at the Transfiguration of Jesus. He was the one who is somehow teased for asking Jesus to "make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah."

Peter in the Gospel of Matthew

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).

Peter in the Gospel of Luke

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.

Peter in the Gospel of John

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).

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

Peter in the Gospel of Thomas

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

=Peter in the Acts of Apostles

The Acts of Apostles is rich of details also about the role of Peter after the death of Jesus.

Peter in ancient sources

• See Peter (sources)

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 was 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. When in 1601 Caravaggio depicted Peter with the physical features of a "real" fisherman and worker, the painting generated controversy and scandal. Only in the 20th centuries, Peter has received more attention by novelists and filmmakers, notably, in The King of Kings (1927 DeMille), film and The Big Fisherman (1948 Douglas), novel.

Related categories

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

External links

• Wikipedia