Who Was Saint Peter the Apostle?

The twelve disciples accompanied Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry. They then carried on His ministry and mission following the ascension. The twelve men were: Peter, James (Jesus’ brother), John, Andrew, Philip, Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus, and was replaced by Matthias), Matthew, Thomas, James, the son of Alpheus, Bartholomew, Judas Thaddeus; and Simon the Zealot. Saint Peter the apostle is probably more widely known than all the rest. In the New Testament, he was the most vocal of the disciples, and his life following the ascension may be the best documented among all the followers of Jesus.

Peter was a fisherman in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee.  He was introduced to Jesus by his brother and fellow disciple Andrew, along with the brothers James and John.  During the earthly ministry of Jesus, Peter is recorded as being present at most major events, including the Transfiguration, many miracles, and Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane before the crucifixion.  

Peter, probably the most outspoken of the disciples, would proclaim his loyalty to Jesus at the last supper, physically defend Him against arrest, and then deny knowing Jesus three times as He was crucified.  Upon His resurrection, Jesus would show Peter forgiveness and press Peter what his future responsibilities were – to “Feed my sheep.”

Following the ascension of Jesus, Peter would preach a moving sermon during Pentecost in Jerusalem, an event which brought several thousand people into Christianity and began its spread.  Peter would serve as a leader in the church at Jerusalem for some time, and even come into conflict with the apostle Paul over favoritism toward Jewish Christians over Gentile (non-Jewish) Christians.  He would travel to Antioch, Caesarea, and Galatia to spread the Gospel.

After the Biblical Story

Acts 12 records that Peter was imprisoned by King Agrippa I, and miraculously released where he “goes to another place.”  While it is not for certain where Peter went, several church traditions and writings do exist as to what he may have done.  Origen and Eusebius record that Peter founded the church in Antioch and served some time as Bishop there.  Afterward, tradition holds that he worked with Paul in founding the church in Rome.  Ignatius of Antioch, Irenaeus of Lyons, and Origen, all who wrote in the second century, attribute the founding of the Roman church to Peter.

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” 19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:18-19

Church tradition holds that Peter, after being encouraged by a vision of Jesus to stay in Rome, was crucified upside down sometime in around 64 CE. Origen and others in the second and third centuries all hold that Peter was killed under the Roman Emperor Nero in such a manner.

Peter is held to have been buried on the Vatican Hill near the Tiber River in Rome.  Constantine I would build a basilica on the site of Peter’s supposed burial, and it would be rebuilt in the 1500s as the modern Basilica of St Peter within the Vatican City.

Saint Peter: Written Work

The New Testament epistles I and II Peter are generally accepted in Christianity as having been written by Peter (or dictated to a scribe). The Gospel of Mark is largely from Peter’s perspective, as Mark may have been a sort of secretary and follower of Peter who recorded his story.

About 10 books from the first few centuries also exist that claimed authorship from Peter, but each is likely written far too late and has content opposing much of the New Testament doctrine to have been written by Peter.