Life and Ministry of Simon Peter in the New Testament

Simon Peter, originally named Simon, was a prominent figure among Jesus's apostles ^{[1, 9]}. His name, Simon, meaning "hearing," was a common Jewish name ^[1]. He was the son of Jona (also spelled Jonas) ^{[1, 4]} and had a younger brother named Andrew, who introduced him to Jesus ^[1]. Peter's hometown was Bethsaida, located on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee, where he was raised as a fisherman ^{[1, 4]}. He later resided in Capernaum, in a house that belonged to him or his mother-in-law ^[4].

Jesus gave Simon the surname Peter, which means "rock" or "stone" ^{[4, 5, 9]}. This name change signified his strong faith and his future role as a foundational pillar in the church ^[9]. In his own writings, Peter identifies himself as "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ" ^{[2, 3, 5]}. The Greek form of his original name, Simon, is used, though some ancient manuscripts also use "Symeon," the Hebrew form ^[8].

Throughout the Gospels, Simon Peter frequently served as a spokesman for the twelve disciples ^[10]. He is noted for his direct actions, such as drawing a sword to defend Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane ^[7]. After Jesus's resurrection, Peter's ministry focused on tending to the flock of God, and tradition holds that his eventual martyrdom glorified God ^[6]. The calling of the disciples as "apostles" marked their transition from learners to those sent forth to preach publicly ^[11].

Sources

Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Peter — Originally called Simon (=Simeon, i.e., "hearing"), a very common Jewish name in the New Testament. He was the son of Jona (Matt. 16:17). His mother is nowhere named in Scripture. He had a younger brother called Andrew, who first brought him to Jesus (John 1:40-42). His native town was Bethsaida, on the western coast of the Sea of Galilee, to which also Philip belonged. Here he was brought up by the shores of the Sea of Galilee, and was trained to the occupation of a fisher. His father had probably died while he was still young, and he and his brother were br”
II Peter “II Peter 1:1 (BBE) — Simon Peter, a servant and Apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who with us have a part in the same holy faith in the righteousness of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ:”
King James Version “[KJV] 2 Peter 1:1 — Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Peter — (a rock or stone). The original name of this disciple was Simon, i.e. "hearer." He was the son of a man named Jonas, (Matthew 16:17; John 1:42; 21:16) and was brought up in his father's occupation, that of a fisherman. He and his brother Andrew were partners of John end James, the sons of Zebedee, who had hired servants. Peter did not live, as a mere laboring man, in a hut by the seaside, but first at Bethsaida, and afterward in a house at Capernaum belonging to himself or his mother-in-law, which must have been rather a large one, since he received in it not ”
2 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Peter 1:1: Simon Peter, a servant, and an apostle of Jesus Christ,.... The writer of this epistle is described first by his names, Simon Peter; the first of these was the name by which he was called from his infancy by his parents, and by which he was known when Christ called him to be a disciple and follower of him, and is the same with Simeon; and so it is read in most copies; see Act 15:14 a name common with the Jews; the latter is what was given him by Christ at his conversion, Joh 1:4, and answers to Cephas in the Syriac language; and both signify a rock or stone, because h”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 21:19: 21:19 The rest of Peter’s life was a ministry tending the flock of God, and his martyrdom was a kind of death that glorifies God. • Follow me: This might require suffering and death (see 13:16; 15:18-21).”
John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 18:10: Then Simon Peter having a sword,.... Girt about him, which he either wore in common, or particularly at the feast, as the Galilaeans are said to do, to preserve them from thieves and wild beasts by the way; or was one of the two the disciples had with them in the garden; or what Peter purposely furnished himself with to defend his master, taking a hint from what was said by him, Luk 22:36; drew it; before Christ could give an answer to the question put by his disciples, whether they should smite or not, Luk 22:49; being encouraged thereunto by what Christ said, Luk 2”
2 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Peter 1 (introduction): ADDRESS: EXHORTATION TO ALL GRACES, AS GOD HAS GIVEN US, IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST, ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO LIFE: CONFIRMED BY THE TESTIMONY OF APOSTLES, AND ALSO PROPHETS, TO THE POWER AND COMING OF CHRIST. (2Pe. 1:1-21) Simon--the Greek form: in oldest manuscripts, "Symeon" (Hebrew, that is, "hearing), as in Act 15:14. His mention of his original name accords with the design of this Second Epistle, which is to warn against the coming false teachers, by setting forth the true "knowledge" of Christ on the testimony of the original apost”
1 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Peter 1:1: In this inscription we have three parts: - I. The author of it, described, 1. By his name - Peter. His first name was Simon, and Jesus Christ gave him the surname of Peter, which signifies a rock, as a commendation of his faith, and to denote that he should be an eminent pillar in the church of God, Gal 2:9. 2. By his office - an apostle of Jesus Christ. The word signifies one sent, a legate, a messenger, any one sent in Christ's name and about his work; but more strictly it signifies the highest office in the Christian church. Co1 12:28, God hath set some in the”
John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 6:68: 6:68-69 Simon Peter often served as spokesman for the Twelve (see also Matt 14:28-29; 16:16; 17:4; 18:21; 19:27; 26:33-35).”
Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 10:2: Now the names of the twelve apostles are these,.... This is the first time these disciples are called "apostles", they were learners before; now being instructed, they are sent forth to preach publicly, and therefore are called apostles, or messengers, persons that were sent: so the elders of the priesthood are called , "the apostles", or messengers "of the sanhedrim" (n), to whom the high priest were delivered, before the day of atonement. So six months in the year, "apostles", or messengers, were sent by the (o) sanhedrim, throughout all the land of Israel, and to ”

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