The Apostolic Age · AD 4–70
Simon Peter
Also known as Simon · Cephas
c. 1 – c. 64/68 · Apostle · Shepherd of the Roman church · Bethsaida → Rome
The Apostolic Age
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Who Simon Peter was
A Galilean fisherman called by Jesus and renamed Kephas, “the rock,” Peter stands first in every New Testament list of the Twelve: spokesman at Caesarea Philippi, denier in the high priest’s courtyard, restored by the risen Christ, and preacher of the Pentecost sermon that opened the church’s history. He led the Jerusalem community, opened the door to Gentile converts at Caesarea, and traveled with his wife as far as Antioch and, by unanimous early testimony, Rome. There, during Nero’s persecution after the great fire of 64, he was crucified — head downward, by the tradition Origen records. The church of Rome ever after counted him, with Paul, its founding martyr.
Common questions
When did Simon Peter live?
Simon Peter is dated c. 1 – c. 64/68 in the archive, which places Simon Peter in the Apostolic Age (AD 4–70). The dating is traditional and approximate; the archive marks it as uncertain rather than fixing a year the sources do not give.
What did Simon Peter write?
Simon Peter has 3 catalogued writings in the archive: The Gospel of Mark (his memoirs, per Papias), First Epistle of Peter and Second Epistle of Peter.
Which early sources mention Simon Peter?
Simon Peter is named in 5 primary-source passages catalogued here, drawn from Clement of Rome, Ignatius of Antioch, Dionysius of Corinth and Gaius of Rome. Every passage is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
Where was Simon Peter from?
The archive associates Simon Peter with Bethsaida, Rome. The sources record more than one location, so the places are listed in the order the record moves through them.
Writings (3)
The Gospel of Mark (his memoirs, per Papias)
c. 65–70Mark, having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. — Papias of HierapolisRead the full text ↗
First Epistle of Peter
c. 62–64, from “Babylon” (Rome), by SilvanusBut ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people.Read the full text ↗
Second Epistle of Peter
c. 64–67 (trad. dating)For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.Read the full text ↗
Primary-source mentions (5)
Every passage below is quoted from a named public-domain translation, earliest first.
1 Clement 5
c. AD 96Peter, who by reason of unrighteous jealousy endured not one nor two but many labours, and thus having borne his testimony went to his appointed place of glory.Clement of Rome · 5 · source text
To the Romans 4.3
c. AD 108I do not enjoin you, as Peter and Paul did. They were apostles, I am a convict.Ignatius of Antioch · 4 · source text
Dionysius of Corinth, via Ecclesiastical History II.25 (the planting at Rome and Corinth)
c. AD 170You have thus by such an admonition bound together the planting of Peter and of Paul at Rome and Corinth.Dionysius of Corinth · Ecclesiastical History II.25 · source text
Gaius of Rome, via Ecclesiastical History II.25 (the trophies of the apostles)
c. AD 200But I can show the trophies of the apostles. For if you will go to the Vatican or to the Ostian way, you will find the trophies of those who laid the foundations of this church.Gaius of Rome · Ecclesiastical History II.25 · source text
Prescription against Heretics 32 (Clement's ordination by Peter)
c. AD 200As the church of Smyrna, which records that Polycarp was placed therein by John; as also the church of Rome, which makes Clement to have been ordained in like manner by Peter.Tertullian of Carthage · Prescription 32 · source text
Connected in the archive
Mark the Evangelist was his interpreter; Clement of Rome was remembered as his successor; martyred under Nero alongside Paul
People
- John Mark
- Clement of Rome
- Paul of Tarsus
- John the Apostle
- Judas Iscariot
- Ananias of Jerusalem
- Mary Magdalene
- Sapphira
- Stephen the Protomartyr
- Joseph Caiaphas
- Annas (Ananus I)
- Tabitha (Dorcas)
- Aeneas of Lydda
- Herod Agrippa I
- James, son of Zebedee
- Philo of Alexandria
- Simon the Tanner
- Gamaliel the Elder
- Mary, Mother of John Mark
- Rhoda
- Andrew the Apostle
- Cornelius the Centurion
- James the Just
- Matthias the Apostle
- Silas (Silvanus)
- Simon Magus
- Evodius of Antioch
- Emperor Nero
- Linus of Rome
- Luke the Evangelist
- Ignatius of Antioch
- Nathanael of Cana
- Jairus
- Bartimaeus
- Philip the Tetrarch
- Jesus of Nazareth
Events in this lifetime
- AD 30 · Crucifixion, Resurrection and Pentecost, AD 30–33
- AD 44 · Persecution under Herod Agrippa I, AD 44
- AD 49 · The Council of Jerusalem, AD 49
- AD 57 · Paul writes Romans, AD 57
- AD 62 · James the Just stoned, AD 62
- AD 64 · The Great Fire and Nero’s persecution, AD 64
Place
Places served
The 16 places the sources put Simon Peter, in the order the record moves through them. This is what the sources attest, not a reconstructed route. 6 stops are marked with the company: the source places this figure’s company there rather than naming the figure at it.
- 1BethsaidaOf the city of Andrew and PeterJohn 1:44
- 2CapernaumHis house there; his mother-in-law healedMark 1:29-31
- 3Caesarea PhilippiConfessed the ChristMatthew 16:13-19
- 4JerusalemPreached at Pentecost; before the councilActs 2:14-41; 4:8-20
- 5SamariaSent down with John to the believers thereActs 8:14-25
- 6LyddaHealed Aeneas of the palsyActs 9:32-35
- 7JoppaRaised Tabitha; the vision on the housetopActs 9:36-43; 10:9-16
- 8Caesarea MaritimaBaptised Cornelius and his householdActs 10:24-48
- 9AntiochWithstood to the face by PaulGalatians 2:11-14
- 10RomeTradition places his death there under NeroEusebius, HE 2.25
- 11GalileeWith him through the towns of Galileewith the companyMark 1:39; Matthew 4:23
- 12NazarethCame into his own country, and his disciples followed himwith the companyMark 6:1
- 13TyreWithdrew into its borders; the disciples came to himwith the companyMark 7:24; Matthew 15:23
- 14SidonReturned by Sidon to the sea of Galileewith the companyMark 7:31
- 15JerichoWent out of Jericho with his discipleswith the companyMark 10:46
- 16BethanyLodged there with the Twelve through Passion weekwith the companyMark 11:11–12