Early Life and Background

Peter was born as Simon, son of Jonah (or John) in the small fishing village of Bethsaida, on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee—modern-day Israel. The date of his birth is unknown, but scholars estimate it around the turn of the first century BC to the first decade AD. Along with his brother Andrew, Simon was a fisherman by trade, an occupation that provided for his family but also left him open to the transformative call of Jesus.

Biblical References

Simon’s introduction to Christ is chronicled in all four Gospels (Matthew 4:18–20; Mark 1:16–18; Luke 5:1–11; John 1:40–42). Jesus gives Simon the name “Cephas,” which is rendered as “Peter” in Greek, meaning “rock.” This renaming is emblematic of the mission Jesus intended for him, as later expressed in Matthew 16:18: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

Role Among the Apostles

Peter rapidly assumes a position of prominence within the group of apostles. He is present at major events such as the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–9), the raising of Jairus’s daughter (Mark 5:37–43), and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane (Mark 14:33–42). His impulsive, passionate character surfaces repeatedly. He confesses Jesus as the Messiah (Matthew 16:16), attempts to walk on water (Matthew 14:28–31), and, perhaps most dramatically, denies Jesus three times during the Passion (Luke 22:54–62)—a moment of failing that is later redeemed by Christ’s post-Resurrection forgiveness (John 21:15–19).

Pentecost and Leadership in the Early Church

After the Ascension of Christ, Peter emerges as the clear leader of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. It is he who stands to address the crowd at Pentecost (Acts 2:14–41), resulting in the baptism of about 3,000 people. Throughout the Acts of the Apostles, Peter is depicted as a central authority—performing healings, presiding at the Council of Jerusalem, and opening the Church to the Gentiles after his vision at the house of Cornelius (Acts 10).

References in Acts and Letters

Peter’s activities in Acts (Acts 1–12) include healing the lame man (Acts 3:1–10), confronting Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11), and being miraculously freed from prison (Acts 12:6–17). Two epistles in the New Testament, 1 Peter and 2 Peter, are traditionally attributed to him, offering pastoral counsel and exhortation to suffering Christian communities in Asia Minor.

Peter’s Journey to Rome and Martyrdom

While the New Testament does not explicitly detail Peter’s journey to Rome, tradition and early Church Fathers such as St. Irenaeus, Tertullian, and Origen assert that Peter traveled to Rome to lead the fledgling Christian community there. According to Eusebius of Caesarea (“Ecclesiastical History,” Book II), Peter presided as Bishop of Rome for twenty-five years.

Peter’s martyrdom is generally dated to around 64 CE, during the persecution by Emperor Nero. He was crucified—by tradition, upside down—at his own request, deeming himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Christ. His burial site on Vatican Hill became the nucleus for what is now St. Peter’s Basilica.

St. Peter’s Basilica and Tomb

The grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City stands as a tribute to the apostle’s enduring influence. Excavations beneath the basilica in the 20th century have revealed what is believed to be Peter’s tomb, further anchoring the tradition of his martyrdom in Rome.

Patronage in Art and Iconography

St. Peter is frequently represented in Christian art holding keys, a rooster (in memory of his denial), or a boat. These symbols serve as reminders of his spiritual legacy and his humanity.

Saint Peter Pray for us!