Lexical Summary Petros: Peter Original Word: Πέτρος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Peter, rock. Apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than lithos); as a name, Petrus, an apostle -- Peter, rock. Compare Kephas. see GREEK lithos see GREEK Kephas HELPS Word-studies 4074 Pétros (a masculine noun) – properly, a stone (pebble), such as a small rock found along a pathway. 4074 /Pétros ("small stone") then stands in contrast to 4073 /pétra ("cliff, boulder," Abbott-Smith). "4074 (Pétros) is an isolated rock and 4073 (pétra) is a cliff" (TDNT, 3, 100). "4074 (Pétros) always means a stone . . . such as a man may throw, . . . versus 4073 (pétra), a projecting rock, cliff" (S. Zodhiates, Dict). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina noun akin to petra, used as a proper name Definition "a stone" or "a boulder," Peter, one of the twelve apostles NASB Translation Peter (150), Peter's (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4074: ΠέτροςΠέτρος, Πέτρου, ὁ (an appellative proper name, signifying 'a stone,' 'a rock,' 'a ledge' or 'cliff'; used metaphorically of a soul hard and unyielding, and so resembling a rock, Sophocles O. R. 334; Euripides, Med. 28; Herc. fur. 1397; answering to the Chaldean Κηφᾶς, which see, John 1:42 (43)), Peter, the surname of the apostle Simon. He was a native of Bethsaida, a town of Galilee, the son of a fisherman (see Ἰωάννης, 3, and Ἰωνᾶς, 2), and dwelt with his wife at Capernaum, Matthew 8:14; Mark 1:30; Luke 4:38, cf. 1 Corinthians 9:5. He had a brother Andrew, with whom he followed the occupation of a fisherman, Matthew 4:18; Mark 1:16; Luke 5:3. Both were received by Jesus as his companions, Matthew 4:19; Mark 1:17; Luke 5:10; John 1:40-42 (41-43); and Simon, whose pre-eminent courage and firmness he discerned and especially relied on for the future establishment of the kingdom of God, he honored with the name of Peter, John 1:42 (43); Matthew 16:18; Mark 3:16. Excelling in vigor of mind, eagerness to learn, and love for Jesus, he enjoyed, together with James and John the sons of Zebedee, the special favor and intimacy of his divine Master. After having for some time presided, in connection with John and James the brother of our Lord (see Ἰάκωβος, 3), over the affairs of the Christians at Jerusalem, he seems to have gone abroad to preach the gospel especially to Jews (Galatians 2:9; 1 Corinthians 9:5; 1 Peter 5:13; Papias in Eusebius 3, 39, 15; for Papias states that Peter employed Mark as 'interpreter' (ἑρμηνευτής), an aid of which he had no need except beyond the borders of Palestine, especially among those who spoke Latin (but on the disputed meaning: of the word 'interpreter' here, see Morison, Commentary on Mark, edition 2, Introduction, p. xxix)). But just as, on the night of the betrayal, Peter proved so far faithless to himself as thrice to deny that he was a follower of Jesus, so also some time afterward at Antioch he made greater concessions to the rigorous Jewish Christians than Christian liberty permitted; accordingly he was rebuked by Paul for his weakness and 'dissimulation' (ὑπόκρισις), Galatians 2:11ff. Nevertheless, in the patristic age Jewish Christians did not hesitate to claim the authority of Peter and of James the brother of the Lord in defense of their narrow views and practices. This is not the place to relate and refute the ecclesiastical traditions concerning Peter's being the founder of the church at Rome and bishop of it for twenty-five years and more; the discussion of them may be found in Hase, Protestant. Polemik gegen die röm.-kathol. Kirche, edition 4, p. 123ff; (cf. Schaff, Church History, 1882, vol. i. §§ 25, 26; Sieffert in Herzog edition 2, vol. xi., p. 524ff, and (for references), p. 537f). This one thing seems to be evident from John 21:18ff, that Peter suffered death by crucifixion (cf. Keil ad loc.; others doubt whether Christ's words contain anything more than a general prediction of martyrdom). If he was crucified at Rome, it must have been several years after the death of Paul. (Cf. BB. DD. and references as above) He is called in the N. T., at one time, simply Σίμων (once Συμεών, Acts 15:14), and (and that, too, most frequently (see B. D. under the word Topical Lexicon Peter (Πέτρος)Identity and Call A native of Bethsaida (John 1:44) who later lived in Capernaum (Matthew 8:14), Simon was a fisherman working with his brother Andrew when Jesus said, “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). From that moment Simon became a close disciple. Jesus gave him the additional name “Peter” (“rock,” John 1:42) and frequently addressed him with the Aramaic equivalent “Cephas” (John 1:42; 1 Corinthians 1:12). Position among the Twelve Peter heads every New Testament list of apostles (Matthew 10:2; Acts 1:13). With James and John he formed the inner circle privileged to witness the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37), the Transfiguration (Mark 9:2), and Gethsemane’s agony (Mark 14:33). His leadership is evident in asking questions (Matthew 15:15), acting as spokesman (Mark 8:29), and initiating actions (John 13:24). The Great Confession At Caesarea Philippi Peter declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus affirmed that this revelation came from the Father and announced His intention to build His church (Matthew 16:18). Peter’s confession marks a watershed in the Gospel narrative and demonstrates his spiritual insight, though still mingled with human frailty. Moments of Failure and Correction Immediately after his confession Peter rebuked Jesus for predicting the cross and received the stern reply, “Get behind Me, Satan!” (Matthew 16:23). Later, having walked briefly on water, he succumbed to fear (Matthew 14:30). On the night of arrest he vowed unswerving loyalty (Matthew 26:33) yet denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:60–62). Scripture does not hide his weaknesses, underscoring grace toward repentant believers. Restoration and Commission Following the Resurrection, the risen Lord appeared privately to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5). By the Sea of Galilee Jesus three times asked, “Do you love Me?” and charged, “Feed My sheep” (John 21:17). Christ also foretold Peter’s future martyrdom (John 21:18–19), indicating ultimate faithfulness. Leadership in Acts • Pentecost: Peter preached the inaugural sermon, and about three thousand believed (Acts 2:14–41). “Repent and be baptized… and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38) became the clarion call of the new age. Peter in Paul’s Letters Galatians 2 outlines cooperation (“God… was at work in Peter as an apostle to the circumcised,” Galatians 2:8) and candid confrontation at Antioch when Peter’s withdrawal from Gentile tables endangered gospel freedom (Galatians 2:11–14). The episode highlights apostolic accountability while preserving doctrinal unity (2 Peter 3:15). Epistolary Legacy 1 Peter addresses suffering saints scattered across Asia Minor, urging living hope, holiness, submission, and shepherding. 2 Peter warns against false teachers and underscores prophetic certainty of Christ’s return. Both letters open with the apostolic designation (“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,” 1 Peter 1:1; “Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ,” 2 Peter 1:1) and close with doxology, reflecting matured humility and theological depth. Key Theological Themes • Christology: Jesus as the prophesied “cornerstone” (1 Peter 2:6) and “Lord and Savior” (2 Peter 3:18). Tradition of Martyrdom Jesus’ prophecy (John 21:18–19) and early testimony (1 Clement 5; Ignatius, Letter to the Romans 4) suggest Peter’s crucifixion in Rome under Nero (circa AD 64–68). Many early writers add that he requested to be crucified upside down, feeling unworthy to die as his Master did, though Scripture remains silent on this detail. Spiritual Significance Peter embodies the transforming grace of Christ. Impulsive yet courageous, fallen yet restored, he becomes a shepherd of God’s flock and a pillar of the early church. His life encourages believers that failures need not define them when they return to Jesus, rely on the Spirit, and stand firm in gospel truth. Forms and Transliterations Πετρε Πέτρε ΠΕΤΡΟΝ Πέτρον ΠΕΤΡΟΣ Πέτρος Πετρου Πέτρου Πετρω Πέτρῳ Petre Pétre Petro Petrō Pétroi Pétrōi PETRON Pétron PETROS Pétros Petrou PétrouLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:18 N-AMSGRK: τὸν λεγόμενον Πέτρον καὶ Ἀνδρέαν NAS: who was called Peter, and Andrew KJV: Simon called Peter, and Andrew INT: who is called Peter and Andrew Matthew 8:14 N-GMS Matthew 10:2 N-NMS Matthew 14:28 N-NMS Matthew 14:29 N-NMS Matthew 15:15 N-NMS Matthew 16:16 N-NMS Matthew 16:18 N-NMS Matthew 16:22 N-NMS Matthew 16:23 N-DMS Matthew 17:1 N-AMS Matthew 17:4 N-NMS Matthew 17:24 N-DMS Matthew 18:21 N-NMS Matthew 19:27 N-NMS Matthew 26:33 N-NMS Matthew 26:35 N-NMS Matthew 26:37 N-AMS Matthew 26:40 N-DMS Matthew 26:58 N-NMS Matthew 26:69 N-NMS Matthew 26:73 N-DMS Matthew 26:75 N-NMS Mark 3:16 N-AMS Mark 5:37 N-AMS Strong's Greek 4074 |
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