1ST PETER
The Authorship
A. Internal evidence for the Apostle Paul
1. stated in 1:1
2. allusions to the words and life experiences of Jesus and the Twelve (eyewitness of 5:1)
a. 1:7 – 9 - Luke 22:31..."Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded {permission} to sift you like wheat..." (NASB); Mark 8:29..."And He {continued} by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter *answered and *said to Him, "You are the Christ." (NASB)
b. 1:10 – 12 - Luke 24:25..."And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!" (NASB); Acts 15:14..."Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name." (NASB)
c. 3:15 - Mark 14:29..."But Peter said to Him, "{Even} though all may fall away, yet I will not." (NASB), and verse 71..."But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (NASB)
d. 5:2 - John 21:15..."So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs." (NASB)
1. stated in 1:1
2. allusions to the words and life experiences of Jesus and the Twelve (eyewitness of 5:1)
a. 1:7 – 9 - Luke 22:31..."Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded {permission} to sift you like wheat..." (NASB); Mark 8:29..."And He {continued} by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter *answered and *said to Him, "You are the Christ." (NASB)
b. 1:10 – 12 - Luke 24:25..."And He said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!" (NASB); Acts 15:14..."Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name." (NASB)
c. 3:15 - Mark 14:29..."But Peter said to Him, "{Even} though all may fall away, yet I will not." (NASB), and verse 71..."But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (NASB)
d. 5:2 - John 21:15..."So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs." (NASB)
3. similar words and phrases to Peter’s sermons in Acts
a. 1:20 - Act 2:23..."...this {Man,} delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put {Him} to death." (NASB)
b. 2:7 - 8 - Acts 4:10 – 11..."... let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this {name} this man stands here before you in good health. "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, {but} WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER {stone.}" (NASB)
c. 2:24 - Act 5:30...""The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross." (NASB); Act 10:39..."We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross." (NASB)
d. 4:5 - Act 10:42... "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead." (NASB)
4. contemporary first century missionary comparisons
a. Silvanus (Silas) - 5:12
b. Mark (John Mark) - 5:13
B. External evidence for the Apostle Peter
1. accepted early and widely by the early church
a. similar phrasing, possibly quotes from Clement of Rome’s Letter to Corinthians (95 A.D.)
b. similar phrasing, possibly quotes from the Epistle of Barnabas (130 A.D.)
c. alluded to by Papias, the Bishop of Hierapolis in a quote from Eusebius (140 A.D.)
d. quoted by Polycarp in his Epistle to the Philippians 8:1, but he does not mention I Peter by name (he died in 155 A.D.)
e. quoted by Irenaeus (140 – 203 A.D.)
f. quoted by Origen (185 – 253 A.D.). Origen believed that 1 Peter 5:13, where Peter calls Mark “my son” means he wrote Peter’s Gospel.
g. quoted by Tertullian (150 – 222 A.D.)
C. Reasons for questioning the Apostle Peter’s authorship of 1st Peter
1. it is not listed in the Muratorian Fragment, which was a list of canonical books compiled in Rome between 180 and 200 A.D.
2. the Greek is good, polished Koine Greek, which is surprising from an uneducated Galilean fisherman
3. Peter sounds so much like Paul’s Romans and Ephesians
4. the persecution fits a later date
a. Domitian (81 – 96 A.D.)
b. Trajan (98 – 117 A.D.)
D. Possible answers to modern scholarship concerns
1. The Muratorian Fragment may be damaged and is missing at least one line of text
2. Peter was not uneducated (Act 4:13..."Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and {began} to recognize them as having been with Jesus." (NASB)), but untrained in rabbinical schools.
3. Both Peter and Paul often used liturgical or training material common in the early church.
4. 1st Peter does not necessarily reflect an Empire-wide persecution.
E. There is nothing in 1st Peter itself to demand a later author.
a. 1:20 - Act 2:23..."...this {Man,} delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put {Him} to death." (NASB)
b. 2:7 - 8 - Acts 4:10 – 11..."... let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead--by this {name} this man stands here before you in good health. "He is the STONE WHICH WAS REJECTED by you, THE BUILDERS, {but} WHICH BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER {stone.}" (NASB)
c. 2:24 - Act 5:30...""The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death by hanging Him on a cross." (NASB); Act 10:39..."We are witnesses of all the things He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They also put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross." (NASB)
d. 4:5 - Act 10:42... "And He ordered us to preach to the people, and solemnly to testify that this is the One who has been appointed by God as Judge of the living and the dead." (NASB)
4. contemporary first century missionary comparisons
a. Silvanus (Silas) - 5:12
b. Mark (John Mark) - 5:13
B. External evidence for the Apostle Peter
1. accepted early and widely by the early church
a. similar phrasing, possibly quotes from Clement of Rome’s Letter to Corinthians (95 A.D.)
b. similar phrasing, possibly quotes from the Epistle of Barnabas (130 A.D.)
c. alluded to by Papias, the Bishop of Hierapolis in a quote from Eusebius (140 A.D.)
d. quoted by Polycarp in his Epistle to the Philippians 8:1, but he does not mention I Peter by name (he died in 155 A.D.)
e. quoted by Irenaeus (140 – 203 A.D.)
f. quoted by Origen (185 – 253 A.D.). Origen believed that 1 Peter 5:13, where Peter calls Mark “my son” means he wrote Peter’s Gospel.
g. quoted by Tertullian (150 – 222 A.D.)
C. Reasons for questioning the Apostle Peter’s authorship of 1st Peter
1. it is not listed in the Muratorian Fragment, which was a list of canonical books compiled in Rome between 180 and 200 A.D.
2. the Greek is good, polished Koine Greek, which is surprising from an uneducated Galilean fisherman
3. Peter sounds so much like Paul’s Romans and Ephesians
4. the persecution fits a later date
a. Domitian (81 – 96 A.D.)
b. Trajan (98 – 117 A.D.)
D. Possible answers to modern scholarship concerns
1. The Muratorian Fragment may be damaged and is missing at least one line of text
2. Peter was not uneducated (Act 4:13..."Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and {began} to recognize them as having been with Jesus." (NASB)), but untrained in rabbinical schools.
3. Both Peter and Paul often used liturgical or training material common in the early church.
4. 1st Peter does not necessarily reflect an Empire-wide persecution.
E. There is nothing in 1st Peter itself to demand a later author.
The Date
A. The date is obviously related to authorship.
B. Tradition links Peter’s and Paul’s deaths in Rome under Nero, probably 65 A.D. If so, then 1st Peter had to have been written about 64 A.D.
C. A mid-first century date is probable if 1st Peter is alluded to by Clement of Rome (95 A.D.).
D. Belief that Peter died in 67 – 68 A.D. and wrote 1st Peter in 65 – 66 A.D.
B. Tradition links Peter’s and Paul’s deaths in Rome under Nero, probably 65 A.D. If so, then 1st Peter had to have been written about 64 A.D.
C. A mid-first century date is probable if 1st Peter is alluded to by Clement of Rome (95 A.D.).
D. Belief that Peter died in 67 – 68 A.D. and wrote 1st Peter in 65 – 66 A.D.
The Recipients
A. Typical of first century letters the recipients are noted in 1:1 as “those who reside as aliens scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.” These Roman provinces (assuming Galatia is northern ethnic Galatia) are located in northern modern Turkey. These areas are apparently places that Paul did not evangelize nor did Peter (1:12). Possibly these churches originated from converts at Pentecost.
B. Although these churches may have originally been started by Jewish believers at the time of Peter’s writing, they were mostly Gentile
1. 1:14 - formerly ignorant of God
2. 1:18 - futile ways inherited from your father
3. 2:9 – 10 - now God’s people
4. 2:12 - among the Gentiles
5. 4:3 – 4 - lists of Gentile vices
C. The book does contain Jewish elements
1. the use of the terms “aliens,” “diaspora” reflect an Old Testament background (John 9:35..."Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" (NASB); Acts 7:6..."But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS." (NASB))
2. the use of Old Testament Scriptures
a. Exodus 19 (2:5,9)
b. Isaiah 53 (1:19; 2:22,24,25)
3. the transfer of Old Testament titles from Israel to the church
a. 2:5
b. 2:9
4. a church training document, which employed Old Testament Messianic texts
a. 1:19 - Isaiah 53:7..."He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth." (NASB)
b. 2:22 - Isaiah 53:5..."But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being {fell} upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed." (NASB)
c. 2:24 - Isaiah 53:4 - 5..."Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being {fell} upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed." (NASB); Isaiah 53:11 - 12..." As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see {it and} be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors." (NASB)
d. 2:25 - Isaiah 53:6..."All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him." (NASB)
D. Although Peter was called specifically to minister to Jews (Galatians 2:8) he, like Paul, worked with both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10).
B. Although these churches may have originally been started by Jewish believers at the time of Peter’s writing, they were mostly Gentile
1. 1:14 - formerly ignorant of God
2. 1:18 - futile ways inherited from your father
3. 2:9 – 10 - now God’s people
4. 2:12 - among the Gentiles
5. 4:3 – 4 - lists of Gentile vices
C. The book does contain Jewish elements
1. the use of the terms “aliens,” “diaspora” reflect an Old Testament background (John 9:35..."Jesus heard that they had put him out, and finding him, He said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" (NASB); Acts 7:6..."But God spoke to this effect, that his DESCENDANTS WOULD BE ALIENS IN A FOREIGN LAND, AND THAT THEY WOULD BE ENSLAVED AND MISTREATED FOR FOUR HUNDRED YEARS." (NASB))
2. the use of Old Testament Scriptures
a. Exodus 19 (2:5,9)
b. Isaiah 53 (1:19; 2:22,24,25)
3. the transfer of Old Testament titles from Israel to the church
a. 2:5
b. 2:9
4. a church training document, which employed Old Testament Messianic texts
a. 1:19 - Isaiah 53:7..."He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He did not open His mouth; Like a lamb that is led to slaughter, And like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, So He did not open His mouth." (NASB)
b. 2:22 - Isaiah 53:5..."But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being {fell} upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed." (NASB)
c. 2:24 - Isaiah 53:4 - 5..."Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being {fell} upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed." (NASB); Isaiah 53:11 - 12..." As a result of the anguish of His soul, He will see {it and} be satisfied; By His knowledge the Righteous One, My Servant, will justify the many, As He will bear their iniquities. Therefore, I will allot Him a portion with the great, And He will divide the booty with the strong; Because He poured out Himself to death, And was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, And interceded for the transgressors." (NASB)
d. 2:25 - Isaiah 53:6..."All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him." (NASB)
D. Although Peter was called specifically to minister to Jews (Galatians 2:8) he, like Paul, worked with both Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10).
The Purpose
A. 1st Peter has both a doctrinal and practical aspect. However, as Paul divided his letters into a beginning section on doctrine and a concluding section on application, Peter merges the two. His book is much more difficult to outline. In many ways it reflects a sermon more than a letter (genre).
B. The major issue discussed is suffering and persecution. This is done in two ways.
1. Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of suffering and rejection (1:11; 2:21, 23; 3:18; 4:1, 13; 5:1, 9, 10).
2. Jesus’ followers are called on to emulate His pattern and attitude (1:6 – 7; 2:19; 3:13 – 17; 4:1,12 – 19; 5:9).
C. In light of the suffering and persecutions so common in the early years of Christianity, it is not surprising how often the 2nd Coming is mentioned. This book, like most New Testament writings, is thoroughly eschatological.
B. The major issue discussed is suffering and persecution. This is done in two ways.
1. Jesus is presented as the ultimate example of suffering and rejection (1:11; 2:21, 23; 3:18; 4:1, 13; 5:1, 9, 10).
2. Jesus’ followers are called on to emulate His pattern and attitude (1:6 – 7; 2:19; 3:13 – 17; 4:1,12 – 19; 5:9).
C. In light of the suffering and persecutions so common in the early years of Christianity, it is not surprising how often the 2nd Coming is mentioned. This book, like most New Testament writings, is thoroughly eschatological.
The Genre
A. This book has a typical first century Greco-Roman opening and close
1. 1:1 – 2
a. author
b. recipients
c. prayer
2. 5:12 – 14
a. closing greetings (1) from whom (2) to whom
b. prayer
B. The main body of the letter resembles a sermon more than a letter. Some have assumed it was...
1. first a sermon
2. first a baptismal liturgy
3. first pieces of early church catechism combined
C. The letter seems to close at 4:11 with a doxology, but no Greek manuscript stops at this point. It is possible that 4:12 – 5:11 is a purposeful summary of the entire letter.
D. I personally believe that 1st Peter functions as a cyclical letter to churches which Peter did not personally start, in much the same way as Paul’s Colossians, but also a general encouragement to believers to watch out for coming problems, much in the same way as Paul’s Galatian and Ephesian letters. This cyclical genre explains the lack of a less personal opening and closing to the letter. It also explains the lack of specific examples of persecution.
1. 1:1 – 2
a. author
b. recipients
c. prayer
2. 5:12 – 14
a. closing greetings (1) from whom (2) to whom
b. prayer
B. The main body of the letter resembles a sermon more than a letter. Some have assumed it was...
1. first a sermon
2. first a baptismal liturgy
3. first pieces of early church catechism combined
C. The letter seems to close at 4:11 with a doxology, but no Greek manuscript stops at this point. It is possible that 4:12 – 5:11 is a purposeful summary of the entire letter.
D. I personally believe that 1st Peter functions as a cyclical letter to churches which Peter did not personally start, in much the same way as Paul’s Colossians, but also a general encouragement to believers to watch out for coming problems, much in the same way as Paul’s Galatian and Ephesian letters. This cyclical genre explains the lack of a less personal opening and closing to the letter. It also explains the lack of specific examples of persecution.
The Canonization
A. 1st Peter is listed in Eusebius’ Eccl. His. 3:3:25, as being part of “the undisputed books.” In the ancient church it was never doubted as a true letter from the Apostle Peter.
B. The issue of canonicity is exacerbated because of the number of spurious writings attributed to Peter. The early church never accepted any of these, recognizing only 1st Peter and the disputed 2nd Peter as truly from the Apostle.
a. Acts of Peter
b. Acts of Peter and Andrew
c. Acts of Peter and Paul
d. The Passion of Peter and Paul
e. The Acts of Peter and the Twelve
f. Apocalypse of Peter
g. Gospel of Peter
h. Passion of Peter
i. Preaching of Peter
j. Slavonic Acts of Peter
None of these writings supposedly attributed to Peter were even seriously considered to be part of the canon of the New Testament. This, in and of itself, says much about the inclusion of 1st and 2nd Peter.
B. The issue of canonicity is exacerbated because of the number of spurious writings attributed to Peter. The early church never accepted any of these, recognizing only 1st Peter and the disputed 2nd Peter as truly from the Apostle.
a. Acts of Peter
b. Acts of Peter and Andrew
c. Acts of Peter and Paul
d. The Passion of Peter and Paul
e. The Acts of Peter and the Twelve
f. Apocalypse of Peter
g. Gospel of Peter
h. Passion of Peter
i. Preaching of Peter
j. Slavonic Acts of Peter
None of these writings supposedly attributed to Peter were even seriously considered to be part of the canon of the New Testament. This, in and of itself, says much about the inclusion of 1st and 2nd Peter.
Peter, The Man (his family)
A. Peter’s family lived in Galilee of the Gentiles in the city of Bethsaida on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee (or the Sea of Tiberius John 1:44), but apparently moved to Capernaum at some point (Mark 1:21..."They *went into Capernaum; and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and {began} to teach." and verse 29..."And immediately after they came out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John." (NASB))
B. Peter’s father’s name was Jonah (Matthew 16:17..."And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal {this} to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (NASB)) or John 1:42..."He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter)." (NASB)) and John 21:15 – 17..."So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs." He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He *said to him the third time, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep." (NASB)).
C. His given name was Simon (Mark 1:16,29,30,36), which was common in Palestine of the first century. It was the Jewish form of Symeon (Acts 15:14; 2nd Peter 1:1). Jesus renamed him Peter (Petros, which means “rock,” meant to describe his eventual strength and stability) in Matthew 16:18; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; and John 1:42. The Aramaic form is Cephas (John 1:42; 1st Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Galatians 1:18; 2:9,11,14). Often in the New Testament these two names are given together (Matthew 16:16; Luke 5:8; John 1:40; 6:8, 68; 13:6, 9, 24, 36; 18:10, 15, 25; 20:2, 6; 21:2 – 3, 7, 11, 15).
D. Peter’s brother’s name was Andrew (Mark 1:16..."As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen." (NASB)). He was a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35..."Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples..." and verse 40..."One of the two who heard John {speak} and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother." (NASB)) and later a believer and follower of Jesus (John 1:36 – 37..."...and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." (NASB)). He brought Simon to Jesus (John 1:41..."He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ)". (NASB)). Several months later Jesus confronted them by the Sea of Galilee and called them to be His official full-time disciples.
Matthew 4:18 – 20..."Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He *said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." (NASB)
Mark 1:16 – 18..."As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." (NASB)
Luke 5:1 – 11..."Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and {began} teaching the people from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say {and} let down the nets." When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets {began} to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw {that,} he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also {were} James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him." (NASB)
E. He was married (Mark 1:30..."Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her." (NASB); 1st Corinthians 9:5..."Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?" (NASB)), but there is no mention of children.
B. Peter’s father’s name was Jonah (Matthew 16:17..."And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal {this} to you, but My Father who is in heaven." (NASB)) or John 1:42..."He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter)." (NASB)) and John 21:15 – 17..."So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus *said to Simon Peter, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me more than these?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Tend My lambs." He *said to him again a second time, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me?" He *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He *said to him, "Shepherd My sheep." He *said to him the third time, "Simon, {son} of John, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus *said to him, "Tend My sheep." (NASB)).
C. His given name was Simon (Mark 1:16,29,30,36), which was common in Palestine of the first century. It was the Jewish form of Symeon (Acts 15:14; 2nd Peter 1:1). Jesus renamed him Peter (Petros, which means “rock,” meant to describe his eventual strength and stability) in Matthew 16:18; Mark 3:16; Luke 6:14; and John 1:42. The Aramaic form is Cephas (John 1:42; 1st Corinthians 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Galatians 1:18; 2:9,11,14). Often in the New Testament these two names are given together (Matthew 16:16; Luke 5:8; John 1:40; 6:8, 68; 13:6, 9, 24, 36; 18:10, 15, 25; 20:2, 6; 21:2 – 3, 7, 11, 15).
D. Peter’s brother’s name was Andrew (Mark 1:16..."As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen." (NASB)). He was a disciple of John the Baptist (John 1:35..."Again the next day John was standing with two of his disciples..." and verse 40..."One of the two who heard John {speak} and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother." (NASB)) and later a believer and follower of Jesus (John 1:36 – 37..."...and he looked at Jesus as He walked, and *said, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus." (NASB)). He brought Simon to Jesus (John 1:41..."He *found first his own brother Simon and *said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which translated means Christ)". (NASB)). Several months later Jesus confronted them by the Sea of Galilee and called them to be His official full-time disciples.
Matthew 4:18 – 20..."Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He *said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." (NASB)
Mark 1:16 – 18..."As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." (NASB)
Luke 5:1 – 11..."Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around Him and listening to the word of God, He was standing by the lake of Gennesaret; and He saw two boats lying at the edge of the lake; but the fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. And He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little way from the land. And He sat down and {began} teaching the people from the boat. When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say {and} let down the nets." When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets {began} to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. But when Simon Peter saw {that,} he fell down at Jesus' feet, saying, "Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!" For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also {were} James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him." (NASB)
E. He was married (Mark 1:30..."Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying sick with a fever; and immediately they *spoke to Jesus about her." (NASB); 1st Corinthians 9:5..."Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?" (NASB)), but there is no mention of children.
Peter, The Man (his occupation)
A. Peter’s family owned several fishing boats and even hired servants.
B. Peter’s family may have been partners with James, John, and their father, Zebedee (Luke 5:10..."...and so also {were} James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (NASB)).
C. Peter briefly returned to fishing after Jesus’ death (John 21).
B. Peter’s family may have been partners with James, John, and their father, Zebedee (Luke 5:10..."...and so also {were} James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men." (NASB)).
C. Peter briefly returned to fishing after Jesus’ death (John 21).
Peter, The Man (his personality)
A. Peter’s strengths
1. He was a dedicated follower, but quite impulsive.
Mark 9:5..."Peter *said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (NASB)
John 13:4 – 11..."...*got up from supper, and *laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter *said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter *said to Him, "Lord, {then wash} not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus *said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all {of you.}" For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean." (NASB)
2. He attempted acts of faith, but often failed (walking on water)
Matthew 14:28 – 31..."Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (NASB)
3. He was brave and willing to die.
Matthew 26:51 – 52..."And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus *said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword." (NASB)
Mark 14:47..."But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear." (NASB)
Luke 22:49 – 51..."When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him." (NASB)
John 18:10 – 11..."Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (NASB)
4. After His resurrection, Jesus addressed him personally as the discredited leader of the Twelve in John 21 and provided an opportunity for repentance and restoration to leadership.
B. Peter’s weaknesses
1. He had initial tendencies toward Jewish legalism
a. eating with Gentiles (Galatians 2:11 – 21..."But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how {is it that} you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? "We {are} Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! "For if I rebuild what I have {once} destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness {comes} through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (NASB))
b. food laws (Acts 10:9 – 16..."On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; and he *saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all {kinds of} four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." Again a voice {came} to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no {longer} consider unholy." This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky." (NASB))
2. He, like all the Apostles, did not fully understand Jesus’ radical new teachings and their implications
a. Mark 9:5 – 6..." Peter *said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified." (NASB)
b. John 13:6 – 11..."So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter *said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter *said to Him, "Lord, {then wash} not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus *said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all {of you.}" For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."...and...18:10 – 11..."Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (NASB)
3. He was personally and severely chastised by Jesus.
Mark 8:33..."But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB)
Matthew 16:23..."But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB)
4. He was found sleeping instead of praying in Jesus’ great hour of need in Gethsemane.
Mark 14:32 – 42..."They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." And He *took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. And He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch." And He went a little beyond {them,} and fell to the ground and {began} to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? "Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. And He *came the third time, and *said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. "Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!" (NASB)
Matthew 26:36 – 46..."Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me." And He went a little beyond {them,} and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "So, you {men} could not keep watch with Me for one hour? "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done." Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. "Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!" (NASB)
Luke 22:40 – 60
5. He repeatedly denied knowing Jesus.
Mark 14:66 – 72..."As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest *came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, "You also were with Jesus the Nazarene." But he denied {it,} saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." And he went out onto the porch. The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, "This is {one} of them!" But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, "Surely you are {one} of them, for you are a Galilean too." But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (NASB)
Matthew 26:69 – 75..."...and said, "Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?" Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied {it} before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." When he had gone out to the gateway, another {servant-girl} saw him and *said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied {it} with an oath, "I do not know the man." A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are {one} of them; for even the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." (NASB)
Luke 22:56 – 62..."And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too." But he denied {it,} saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." A little later, another saw him and said, "You are {one} of them too!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" After about an hour had passed, another man {began} to insist, saying, "Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." (NASB)
John 18:16 – 18..."...but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. Then the slave-girl who kept the door *said to Peter, "You are not also {one} of this man's disciples, are you?" He *said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the officers were standing {there,} having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself....and verses 25 – 27 ..."Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You are not also {one} of His disciples, are you?" He denied {it,} and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Peter then denied {it} again, and immediately a rooster crowed." (NASB)
1. He was a dedicated follower, but quite impulsive.
Mark 9:5..."Peter *said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (NASB)
John 13:4 – 11..."...*got up from supper, and *laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He *poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter *said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter *said to Him, "Lord, {then wash} not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus *said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all {of you.}" For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean." (NASB)
2. He attempted acts of faith, but often failed (walking on water)
Matthew 14:28 – 31..."Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (NASB)
3. He was brave and willing to die.
Matthew 26:51 – 52..."And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew out his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus *said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword." (NASB)
Mark 14:47..."But one of those who stood by drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear." (NASB)
Luke 22:49 – 51..."When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus answered and said, "Stop! No more of this." And He touched his ear and healed him." (NASB)
John 18:10 – 11..."Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (NASB)
4. After His resurrection, Jesus addressed him personally as the discredited leader of the Twelve in John 21 and provided an opportunity for repentance and restoration to leadership.
B. Peter’s weaknesses
1. He had initial tendencies toward Jewish legalism
a. eating with Gentiles (Galatians 2:11 – 21..."But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how {is it that} you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? "We {are} Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! "For if I rebuild what I have {once} destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness {comes} through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (NASB))
b. food laws (Acts 10:9 – 16..."On the next day, as they were on their way and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; and he *saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all {kinds of} four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. A voice came to him, "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!" But Peter said, "By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean." Again a voice {came} to him a second time, "What God has cleansed, no {longer} consider unholy." This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky." (NASB))
2. He, like all the Apostles, did not fully understand Jesus’ radical new teachings and their implications
a. Mark 9:5 – 6..." Peter *said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah." For he did not know what to answer; for they became terrified." (NASB)
b. John 13:6 – 11..."So He *came to Simon Peter. He *said to Him, "Lord, do You wash my feet?" Jesus answered and said to him, "What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter." Peter *said to Him, "Never shall You wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Simon Peter *said to Him, "Lord, {then wash} not only my feet, but also my hands and my head." Jesus *said to him, "He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all {of you.}" For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, "Not all of you are clean."...and...18:10 – 11..."Simon Peter then, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's slave, and cut off his right ear; and the slave's name was Malchus. So Jesus said to Peter, "Put the sword into the sheath; the cup which the Father has given Me, shall I not drink it?" (NASB)
3. He was personally and severely chastised by Jesus.
Mark 8:33..."But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB)
Matthew 16:23..."But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB)
4. He was found sleeping instead of praying in Jesus’ great hour of need in Gethsemane.
Mark 14:32 – 42..."They *came to a place named Gethsemane; and He *said to His disciples, "Sit here until I have prayed." And He *took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled. And He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved to the point of death; remain here and keep watch." And He went a little beyond {them,} and fell to the ground and {began} to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. And He was saying, "Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." And He *came and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? "Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Again He went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. And He *came the third time, and *said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough; the hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. "Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!" (NASB)
Matthew 26:36 – 46..."Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. Then He *said to them, "My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me." And He went a little beyond {them,} and fell on His face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will." And He *came to the disciples and *found them sleeping, and *said to Peter, "So, you {men} could not keep watch with Me for one hour? "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done." Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. Then He *came to the disciples and *said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. "Get up, let us be going; behold, the one who betrays Me is at hand!" (NASB)
Luke 22:40 – 60
5. He repeatedly denied knowing Jesus.
Mark 14:66 – 72..."As Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest *came, and seeing Peter warming himself, she looked at him and *said, "You also were with Jesus the Nazarene." But he denied {it,} saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are talking about." And he went out onto the porch. The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to say to the bystanders, "This is {one} of them!" But again he denied it. And after a little while the bystanders were again saying to Peter, "Surely you are {one} of them, for you are a Galilean too." But he began to curse and swear, "I do not know this man you are talking about!" (NASB)
Matthew 26:69 – 75..."...and said, "Prophesy to us, You Christ; who is the one who hit You?" Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a servant-girl came to him and said, "You too were with Jesus the Galilean." But he denied {it} before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are talking about." When he had gone out to the gateway, another {servant-girl} saw him and *said to those who were there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth." And again he denied {it} with an oath, "I do not know the man." A little later the bystanders came up and said to Peter, "Surely you too are {one} of them; for even the way you talk gives you away." Then he began to curse and swear, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, "Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." (NASB)
Luke 22:56 – 62..."And a servant-girl, seeing him as he sat in the firelight and looking intently at him, said, "This man was with Him too." But he denied {it,} saying, "Woman, I do not know Him." A little later, another saw him and said, "You are {one} of them too!" But Peter said, "Man, I am not!" After about an hour had passed, another man {began} to insist, saying, "Certainly this man also was with Him, for he is a Galilean too." But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are talking about." Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times." And he went out and wept bitterly." (NASB)
John 18:16 – 18..."...but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the doorkeeper, and brought Peter in. Then the slave-girl who kept the door *said to Peter, "You are not also {one} of this man's disciples, are you?" He *said, "I am not." Now the slaves and the officers were standing {there,} having made a charcoal fire, for it was cold and they were warming themselves; and Peter was also with them, standing and warming himself....and verses 25 – 27 ..."Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, "You are not also {one} of His disciples, are you?" He denied {it,} and said, "I am not." One of the slaves of the high priest, being a relative of the one whose ear Peter cut off, *said, "Did I not see you in the garden with Him?" Peter then denied {it} again, and immediately a rooster crowed." (NASB)
Peter, The Man (his leadership of the apostolic group)
A. There are four lists of the Apostles...
Matthew 10:2 – 4..."Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him." (NASB)
Mark 3:16 – 19..."And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), and James, the {son} of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder"); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him." (NASB)
Luke 6:14 – 16..."Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; and Matthew and Thomas; James {the son} of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas {the son} of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." (NASB)
Acts 1:13..."When they had entered {the city,} they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James {the son} of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas {the} {son} of James." (NASB)
Peter is always listed first. The Twelve were divided into three groups of four. I believe this allowed them to rotate home to check on their families.
B. Peter often serves as the spokesman for the Apostolic group.
Matthew 16:13 – 20..."Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some {say} John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal {this} to you, but My Father who is in heaven. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ." (NASB)
Mark 8:27 – 30..."Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others {say} Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He {continued} by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter *answered and *said to Him, "You are the Christ." And He warned them to tell no one about Him." (NASB)
Luke 9:18 – 21..."And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the people say that I am?" They answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others {say} Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." But He warned them and instructed {them} not to tell this to anyone..." (NASB)
These passages have also been used to assert Peter’s authority within the group (Matthew 16:18...""I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (NASB)). However, within this very context he is chided by Jesus as a tool of Satan (Matthew 16:23..."But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB) and Mark 8:33..."But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB)). Also, when the disciples are arguing over who is greatest, Peter is not assumed to take that position.
Matthew 20:20 – 28, especially v. 24..."Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She *said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They *said to Him, "We are able." He *said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on {My} left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." And hearing {this,} the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and {their} great men exercise authority over them. "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NASB)
Mark 9:33 – 37..."They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He {began} to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which {of them was} the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me." (NASB)
Mark 10:35 – 45..."James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, *came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You." And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on {Your} left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. "But to sit on My right or on {My} left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." Hearing {this,} the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NASB)
C. Peter was not the leader of the Jerusalem church. This fell to James, Jesus’ half-brother.
Act 12:17..."But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and the brethren." Then he left and went to another place." (NASB)
Act 15:13..."After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Brethren, listen to me." (NASB)
Act 21:18..."And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present." (NASB)
1st Corinthians 15:7..."...then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles..." (NASB)
Galatians 1:19..."But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother." (NASB)
Galatians 2:9..."...and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we {might} {go} to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised."...and verse 12..."For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision." (NASB)
Matthew 10:2 – 4..."Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him." (NASB)
Mark 3:16 – 19..."And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), and James, the {son} of Zebedee, and John the brother of James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, "Sons of Thunder"); and Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Him." (NASB)
Luke 6:14 – 16..."Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew; and Matthew and Thomas; James {the son} of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot; Judas {the son} of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor." (NASB)
Acts 1:13..."When they had entered {the city,} they went up to the upper room where they were staying; that is, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James {the son} of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas {the} {son} of James." (NASB)
Peter is always listed first. The Twelve were divided into three groups of four. I believe this allowed them to rotate home to check on their families.
B. Peter often serves as the spokesman for the Apostolic group.
Matthew 16:13 – 20..."Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" And they said, "Some {say} John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He *said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal {this} to you, but My Father who is in heaven. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ." (NASB)
Mark 8:27 – 30..."Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?" They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others {say} Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." And He {continued} by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter *answered and *said to Him, "You are the Christ." And He warned them to tell no one about Him." (NASB)
Luke 9:18 – 21..."And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, "Who do the people say that I am?" They answered and said, "John the Baptist, and others {say} Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again." And He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" And Peter answered and said, "The Christ of God." But He warned them and instructed {them} not to tell this to anyone..." (NASB)
These passages have also been used to assert Peter’s authority within the group (Matthew 16:18...""I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it." (NASB)). However, within this very context he is chided by Jesus as a tool of Satan (Matthew 16:23..."But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB) and Mark 8:33..."But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and *said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's." (NASB)). Also, when the disciples are arguing over who is greatest, Peter is not assumed to take that position.
Matthew 20:20 – 28, especially v. 24..."Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. And He said to her, "What do you wish?" She *said to Him, "Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit one on Your right and one on Your left." But Jesus answered, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?" They *said to Him, "We are able." He *said to them, "My cup you shall drink; but to sit on My right and on {My} left, this is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father." And hearing {this,} the ten became indignant with the two brothers. But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and {their} great men exercise authority over them. "It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NASB)
Mark 9:33 – 37..."They came to Capernaum; and when He was in the house, He {began} to question them, "What were you discussing on the way?" But they kept silent, for on the way they had discussed with one another which {of them was} the greatest. Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." Taking a child, He set him before them, and taking him in His arms, He said to them, "Whoever receives one child like this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me does not receive Me, but Him who sent Me." (NASB)
Mark 10:35 – 45..."James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, *came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You." And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?" They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on {Your} left, in Your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. "But to sit on My right or on {My} left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." Hearing {this,} the ten began to feel indignant with James and John. Calling them to Himself, Jesus *said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. "But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (NASB)
C. Peter was not the leader of the Jerusalem church. This fell to James, Jesus’ half-brother.
Act 12:17..."But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had led him out of the prison. And he said, "Report these things to James and the brethren." Then he left and went to another place." (NASB)
Act 15:13..."After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, "Brethren, listen to me." (NASB)
Act 21:18..."And the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present." (NASB)
1st Corinthians 15:7..."...then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles..." (NASB)
Galatians 1:19..."But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord's brother." (NASB)
Galatians 2:9..."...and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we {might} {go} to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised."...and verse 12..."For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision." (NASB)
Peter, The Man (his ministry after JESUS’ RESURRECTION)
A. Peter’s leadership role is clearly seen in the early chapters of Acts.
1. He led in the election of Judas’ replacement (Acts 1:15 – 26..."At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, "Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. "For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry." (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.' "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us--beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us--one of these {must} become a witness with us of His resurrection." So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles." (NASB)
2. He preached the first sermon on Pentecost (Acts 2).
3. He healed a lame man and preached the second recorded sermon (Acts 3).
4. He spoke boldly to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4.
5. He presided over the church discipline of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.
6. He spoke at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:7 – 11..."After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. "Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." (NASB)
7. Several other events and miracles are attributed to him in Acts.
B. Peter, however, did not always embody the gospel’s implications
1. He retained an Old Testament mind-set (Galatians 2:11 – 14..."But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how {is it that} you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" (NASB)
2. He had to have a special revelation to include Cornelius (Acts 10) and other Gentiles.
1. He led in the election of Judas’ replacement (Acts 1:15 – 26..."At this time Peter stood up in the midst of the brethren (a gathering of about one hundred and twenty persons was there together), and said, "Brethren, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. "For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry." (Now this man acquired a field with the price of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines gushed out. And it became known to all who were living in Jerusalem; so that in their own language that field was called Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'LET HIS HOMESTEAD BE MADE DESOLATE, AND LET NO ONE DWELL IN IT'; and, 'LET ANOTHER MAN TAKE HIS OFFICE.' "Therefore it is necessary that of the men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us--beginning with the baptism of John until the day that He was taken up from us--one of these {must} become a witness with us of His resurrection." So they put forward two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was also called Justus), and Matthias. And they prayed and said, "You, Lord, who know the hearts of all men, show which one of these two You have chosen to occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles." (NASB)
2. He preached the first sermon on Pentecost (Acts 2).
3. He healed a lame man and preached the second recorded sermon (Acts 3).
4. He spoke boldly to the Sanhedrin in Acts 4.
5. He presided over the church discipline of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5.
6. He spoke at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15:7 – 11..."After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, "Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. "And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. "Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? "But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are." (NASB)
7. Several other events and miracles are attributed to him in Acts.
B. Peter, however, did not always embody the gospel’s implications
1. He retained an Old Testament mind-set (Galatians 2:11 – 14..."But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how {is it that} you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" (NASB)
2. He had to have a special revelation to include Cornelius (Acts 10) and other Gentiles.
Peter, The Man (the silent years)
A. There is little or no information about Peter after the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15
1. Galatians 1:18..." Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days." (NASB)
2. Galatians 2:7 – 21..."But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter {had been} to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in {his} apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we {might} {go} to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. {They} only {asked} us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do. But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how {is it that} you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? "We {are} Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! "For if I rebuild what I have {once} destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness {comes} through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (NASB)
3. 1st Corinthians 1:12..."Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."...and...3:22..."...whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you..."...and...9:5..."Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?"...and...15:5..."...and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve." (NASB)
B. Early church tradition
1. Peter’s being martyred in Rome is mentioned in Clement of Rome’s letter to the church at Corinth in 95 A.D.
2. Tertullian (150 – 222 A.D.) also notes Peter’s martyrdom in Rome under Nero (54 – 68 A.D.).
3. Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.) says Peter was killed in Rome.
4. Origen (252 A.D.) says Peter was martyred by crucifixion, head down, in Rome.
1. Galatians 1:18..." Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days." (NASB)
2. Galatians 2:7 – 21..."But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter {had been} to the circumcised (for He who effectually worked for Peter in {his} apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles), and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we {might} {go} to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. {They} only {asked} us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do. But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he {began} to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how {is it that} you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews? "We {are} Jews by nature and not sinners from among the Gentiles; nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! "For if I rebuild what I have {once} destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. "For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God. "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness {comes} through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." (NASB)
3. 1st Corinthians 1:12..."Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."...and...3:22..."...whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you..."...and...9:5..."Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?"...and...15:5..."...and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve." (NASB)
B. Early church tradition
1. Peter’s being martyred in Rome is mentioned in Clement of Rome’s letter to the church at Corinth in 95 A.D.
2. Tertullian (150 – 222 A.D.) also notes Peter’s martyrdom in Rome under Nero (54 – 68 A.D.).
3. Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.) says Peter was killed in Rome.
4. Origen (252 A.D.) says Peter was martyred by crucifixion, head down, in Rome.
Notes on 1st Peter by Tim Headley
1 Peter 1 - 5
Chapter 1
1-12...God has given us an _______ inheritance.
13-16...Therefore, be ____.
17-25...And, ______ & ____!
Chapter 2
1-8...Study the _____.
9-12...Abstain from _______.
13-16...____ your government’s laws.
17..._____ everyone.
18-20...______ to, and ______ under, harsh bosses,
21-25...because Christ also ________.
Chapter 3
1-6...Submit to your ___________ husband.
7...__________ and _____ your wife.
8-17
Tenderly ____ everyone, even ____ people who ______ you.
18-22...because Christ also ________.
Chapter 4
1-6...Because Christ ________ for us, decide now to avoid a life of lust and dissipation.
7...Pray __________.
8...Love _________.
9...Be ___________.
10..._____ others with your gifts.
11...Speak as from ___, serve, acknowledging that your abilities come from God.
12-19...Gladly expect to ______ for Christ.
Chapter 5
1-4...Elders: ________ the flock.
5-7...Younger people: ______ to the elders; All: submit to each other.
8-9...Be sober & ________.
10-11...May God _______ you.
12-14...Greetings
Chapter 1
1-12...God has given us an _______ inheritance.
13-16...Therefore, be ____.
17-25...And, ______ & ____!
Chapter 2
1-8...Study the _____.
9-12...Abstain from _______.
13-16...____ your government’s laws.
17..._____ everyone.
18-20...______ to, and ______ under, harsh bosses,
21-25...because Christ also ________.
Chapter 3
1-6...Submit to your ___________ husband.
7...__________ and _____ your wife.
8-17
Tenderly ____ everyone, even ____ people who ______ you.
18-22...because Christ also ________.
Chapter 4
1-6...Because Christ ________ for us, decide now to avoid a life of lust and dissipation.
7...Pray __________.
8...Love _________.
9...Be ___________.
10..._____ others with your gifts.
11...Speak as from ___, serve, acknowledging that your abilities come from God.
12-19...Gladly expect to ______ for Christ.
Chapter 5
1-4...Elders: ________ the flock.
5-7...Younger people: ______ to the elders; All: submit to each other.
8-9...Be sober & ________.
10-11...May God _______ you.
12-14...Greetings
The Outline
I. Introduction 1:1-2
II. The identity of Christians 1:3—2:10
A. Our great salvation 1:3-12
1. The hope of our salvation 1:3-5
2. The joy of our salvation 1:6-9
3. The witnesses of our salvation 1:10-12
B. Our new way of life 1:13-25
1. A life of holiness 1:13-16
2. A life of reverence 1:17-21
3. A life of love 1:22-25
C. Our priestly calling 2:1-10
1. Listening to God 2:1-3
2. Growing in God 2:4-5
3. Building on Christ 2:6-8
4. Summary affirmation of our identity 2:9-10
III. The responsibilities of Christians individually 2:11—4:11
A. Our mission in the world 2:11-12
B. Respect for others 2:13—3:12
1. Respect for everyone 2:13-17
2. Slaves' respect for their masters 2:18-25
3. Wives' respect for their husbands 3:1-6
4. Husbands' respect for their wives 3:7
5. The importance of loving enemies 3:8-12
C. Eventual vindication 3:13—4:6
1. Suffering for doing good 3:13-17
2. The vindication of Christ 3:18-22
3. Living with the promise in view 4:1-6
D. The importance of mutual love in end-times living 4:7-11
IV. The responsibilities of Christians collectively 4:12—5:11
A. The fiery trial 4:12-19
1. Suffering and glory 4:12-14
2. Suffering as Christians 4:15-19
B. The church under trial 5:1-11
1. The responsibilities of the elders 5:1-4
2. The responsibilities of the others 5:5
3. The importance of humility and trust in God 5:6-7
4. The importance of resisting the devil 5:8-11
V. Conclusion 5:12-14
II. The identity of Christians 1:3—2:10
A. Our great salvation 1:3-12
1. The hope of our salvation 1:3-5
2. The joy of our salvation 1:6-9
3. The witnesses of our salvation 1:10-12
B. Our new way of life 1:13-25
1. A life of holiness 1:13-16
2. A life of reverence 1:17-21
3. A life of love 1:22-25
C. Our priestly calling 2:1-10
1. Listening to God 2:1-3
2. Growing in God 2:4-5
3. Building on Christ 2:6-8
4. Summary affirmation of our identity 2:9-10
III. The responsibilities of Christians individually 2:11—4:11
A. Our mission in the world 2:11-12
B. Respect for others 2:13—3:12
1. Respect for everyone 2:13-17
2. Slaves' respect for their masters 2:18-25
3. Wives' respect for their husbands 3:1-6
4. Husbands' respect for their wives 3:7
5. The importance of loving enemies 3:8-12
C. Eventual vindication 3:13—4:6
1. Suffering for doing good 3:13-17
2. The vindication of Christ 3:18-22
3. Living with the promise in view 4:1-6
D. The importance of mutual love in end-times living 4:7-11
IV. The responsibilities of Christians collectively 4:12—5:11
A. The fiery trial 4:12-19
1. Suffering and glory 4:12-14
2. Suffering as Christians 4:15-19
B. The church under trial 5:1-11
1. The responsibilities of the elders 5:1-4
2. The responsibilities of the others 5:5
3. The importance of humility and trust in God 5:6-7
4. The importance of resisting the devil 5:8-11
V. Conclusion 5:12-14
Map Locations to Plot
1. Pontus / Galatia / Cappadocia / Asia / Bithynia, 1:1..."Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen..." (NASB)
2. Zion, 2:6..."For {this} is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER {stone,} AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (NASB)
3. Babylon, 5:13..."She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and {so does} my son, Mark." (NASB)
2. Zion, 2:6..."For {this} is contained in Scripture: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A CHOICE STONE, A PRECIOUS CORNER {stone,} AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (NASB)
3. Babylon, 5:13..."She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you greetings, and {so does} my son, Mark." (NASB)