John 1:42
New International Version
And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

New Living Translation
Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

English Standard Version
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).

Berean Standard Bible
Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

Berean Literal Bible
He led him to Jesus. Having looked at him, Jesus said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You will be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

King James Bible
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

New King James Version
And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone).

New American Standard Bible
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 1995
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 1977
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).

Legacy Standard Bible
He brought him to Jesus. When Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

Amplified Bible
Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas (which is translated Peter).”

Christian Standard Bible
and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, he said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated “Peter” ).

Holman Christian Standard Bible
and he brought Simon to Jesus. When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which means “Rock”).

American Standard Version
He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).

Contemporary English Version
Andrew brought his brother to Jesus. And when Jesus saw him, he said, "Simon son of John, you will be called Cephas." This name can be translated as "Peter."

English Revised Version
He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at Simon and said, "You are Simon, son of John. Your name will be Cephas" (which means "Peter").

Good News Translation
Then he took Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "Your name is Simon son of John, but you will be called Cephas." (This is the same as Peter and means "a rock.")

International Standard Version
He led Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him intently and said, "You are Simon, John's son. You will be called Cephas!" (which is translated "Peter").

Majority Standard Bible
Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, ?You are Simon son of Jonah. You will be called Cephas? (which is translated as Peter).

NET Bible
Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

New Heart English Bible
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him, and said, "You are Simon the son of John. You will be called Cephas" (which is translated, Peter).

Webster's Bible Translation
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas; which is, by interpretation, a stone.

Weymouth New Testament
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, son of John: you shall be called Cephas" --that is to say, Peter (or 'Rock')

World English Bible
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter).
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he brought him to Jesus: and having looked on him, Jesus says, “You are Simon, the son of Jonas, you will be called Cephas,” (which is interpreted, A rock).

Berean Literal Bible
He led him to Jesus. Having looked at him, Jesus said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You will be called Cephas" (which means Peter).

Young's Literal Translation
and he brought him unto Jesus: and having looked upon him, Jesus saith, 'Thou art Simon, the son of Jonas, thou shalt be called Cephas,' (which is interpreted, A rock.)

Smith's Literal Translation
And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus having looked upon him, said, Thou art Simon son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, interpreted, Peter.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looking upon him, said: Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is interpreted Peter.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he led him to Jesus. And Jesus, gazing at him, said: “You are Simon, son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas,” (which is translated as Peter).

New American Bible
Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).

New Revised Standard Version
He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter ).
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he brought him to Jesus. And Jesus looked at him and said, You are Simon the son of Jonah; you are called Kepa (a Stone).

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And he brought him to Yeshua and Yeshua gazed at him and he said: “You are Shimeon, son of Yona; you shall be called Kaypha.”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him: We have found the Messiah; (which, when translated, is the Christ;)

Godbey New Testament
He led him to Jesus. Jesus looking upon him said; Thou art Simon the Son of Jonah, thou shalt be called Cephas (which is interpreted, Peter).

Haweis New Testament
And he brought him to Jesus. Then Jesus looking on him, said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonas: thou shalt be called Cephas, which, interpreted in Greek, is Petros, a Rock.

Mace New Testament
and he brought him to Jesus, and when Jesus beheld him, he said, "thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas," which is by interpretation, a stone.

Weymouth New Testament
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, "You are Simon, son of John: you shall be called Cephas" --that is to say, Peter (or 'Rock')

Worrell New Testament
He led him to Jesus. Jesus looking on him, said, "You are Simon, the son of John; you shall be called Cephas," (which is translated Peter).

Worsley New Testament
And Andrew brought him to Jesus: and Jesus looking at him said, Thou art Simon the son of Jonas, thou shalt be called Cephas; which is interpreted a stone.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The First Disciples
41He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ). 42Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter). 43The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.”…

Cross References
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 prevail against it.

Mark 3:16
These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter),

Luke 6:14
Simon, whom He named Peter, and his brother Andrew; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

Acts 4:13
When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus.

1 Corinthians 1:12
What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”

1 Corinthians 3:22
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,

1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?

1 Corinthians 15:5
and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.

Galatians 2:9
And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

1 Peter 2:4-5
As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, / you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Revelation 21:14
The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

Genesis 17:5
No longer will you be called Abram, but your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.

Genesis 32:28
Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men, and you have prevailed.”

Genesis 35:10
And God said to him, “Though your name is Jacob, you will no longer be called Jacob. Instead, your name will be Israel.” So God named him Israel.


Treasury of Scripture

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jona: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

Thou art.

John 1:47,48
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! …

John 2:24,25
But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, …

John 6:70,71
Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? …

the son.

John 21:15-17
So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs…

Jonas.

Matthew 16:17
And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Barjona.

1 Corinthians 1:12
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

1 Corinthians 3:22
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

1 Corinthians 9:5
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

A stone.

John 21:2
There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples.

Matthew 10:2
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;

Matthew 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

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John 1
1. The divinity, humanity, office, and incarnation of Jesus Christ.
15. The testimony of John.
39. The calling of Simon and Andrew, Philip and Nathanael














Andrew brought him to Jesus
Andrew, one of the first disciples of Jesus, plays a crucial role in introducing his brother Simon to Jesus. This act of bringing others to Christ is a recurring theme in Andrew's life, as seen later when he brings the boy with loaves and fishes to Jesus (John 6:8-9). The act of bringing someone to Jesus highlights the importance of personal evangelism and the role of relationships in spreading the Gospel.

who looked at him and said
Jesus' look is often described as penetrating and discerning, indicating His ability to see beyond the surface. This moment signifies Jesus' divine insight and authority, as He perceives Simon's potential and future role in the early church. It reflects the biblical theme of God knowing individuals intimately, as seen in passages like Psalm 139:1-4.

“You are Simon son of John.
Jesus acknowledges Simon's identity and lineage, which is significant in Jewish culture where family heritage is important. The mention of "son of John" (or Jonah in some manuscripts) connects Simon to his earthly family, yet Jesus is about to redefine his identity in a spiritual context. This mirrors the biblical pattern of God calling individuals by name, as seen with Abraham, Jacob, and others.

You will be called Cephas”
The name "Cephas" is Aramaic for "rock" or "stone," and Jesus' renaming of Simon signifies a transformation and a new purpose. This act of renaming is reminiscent of God changing Abram's name to Abraham and Jacob's to Israel, indicating a new covenant or mission. It foreshadows Simon Peter's foundational role in the church, as Jesus later declares in Matthew 16:18.

(which is translated as Peter).
The translation of "Cephas" to "Peter" (Greek: Petros) underscores the universality of the Gospel message, bridging Aramaic and Greek-speaking audiences. Peter's name becomes synonymous with strength and stability, reflecting his future leadership in the early church. This renaming also connects to prophecies about the Messiah establishing a new covenant community, as seen in Isaiah 28:16, where God lays a "tested stone" as a foundation.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Andrew
One of the first disciples of Jesus, brother of Simon Peter. He is known for bringing others to Jesus, as seen in this passage.

2. Simon (Peter)
Originally named Simon, he is the brother of Andrew. Jesus gives him the name Cephas, which is Aramaic for "rock," translated as Peter in Greek.

3. Jesus
The central figure of the New Testament, who recognizes Simon's potential and renames him, indicating his future role in the church.

4. Cephas/Peter
The name given to Simon by Jesus, signifying his future foundational role in the early Christian church.

5. John (Father of Simon)
Mentioned as Simon's father, providing a familial context to the account.
Teaching Points
Identity in Christ
Jesus sees beyond our current state and calls us into our true identity and purpose in Him.

Transformation and Calling
Like Simon becoming Peter, believers are transformed and called to fulfill specific roles in God's kingdom.

The Power of a Name
Names in the Bible often signify character and destiny. Understanding our identity in Christ can empower us to live out our God-given purpose.

The Role of Discipleship
Andrew's act of bringing Simon to Jesus highlights the importance of leading others to Christ and the impact it can have on their lives.

Faith in God's Vision
Trust in God's vision for our lives, even when it seems beyond our current capabilities or understanding.(42) Beheld.--See Note on John 1:29.

A Stone.--Better, Peter, as in margin. The word means a stone, but the writer translated for Greek, not for English readers. The rule of the previous verse, which places the Greek word in the text and the English word in the margin, should be followed here.

Cephas.--The word occurs only in this place in the Gospels, elsewhere in the New Testament only in St. Paul (1 Cor. and Gal.). Remembering the general significance of Hebrew names, the changes in the Old Testament as of Abram, Sarai, and Jacob, and among these first disciples as of James and John (Mark 3:16; Mark 3:18), all these names of Peter seem meant to characterise the man,--"Thou art now Hearer, the Son of Jehovah's Grace; thou shalt be called and be a Rock-man." (Comp. Note on Matthew 16:17.)

Verse 42. - He brought (the past tense) him to Jesus; as one entirely sympathetic and as eagerly longing for the Christ, for the Lamb of God, for the King of Israel. Seeing that Simon was found so soon - most probably on the evening of the memorable day - we gather that Simon also must have been among the hearers of John. He too must have left his fishing to listen to the Baptist. The entire group must have been drawn away from their ordinary avocations by the trumpet call of the preacher in the wilderness. Jesus looked - intently, with penetrating glance - upon him, and said, Thou art Simon, the Son of John - that is the name by which thou hast been introduced to me; a time is coming for thee to receive a new name - Thou shalt be called Cephas (which is interpreted, Peter). It is perfectly gratuitous of Baur and Hilgenfeld to imagine this to be a fictitious adaptation of the great scene recorded in Matthew 16. The solemn assertions made there proceed upon the assumption of the previous conference of the name "Peter." There the Lord said, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock," etc. On this earlier occasion Jesus said, "Thou art Simon, thou shalt be called Κηφᾶς." The assumption of the Tubingen critics, that a desire to lower Peter from his primacy is conspicuous in this passage, cannot be sustained. Though Andrew and John precede Peter in their earliest relations with Jesus, yet Peter is undoubtedly the most conspicuous character, to whom the Lord from the first gives an honourable cognomen (cf. also John 6:67-69 and John 21:15, etc.). (Compare here, for historic changes of name, Genesis 17:5; Genesis 32:28.) Weiss ('Life of Christ,' Eng. trans., 1:370) says admirably, "There is no ground for assuming that this is an anticipation of Matthew 16:18. Simon was not to bear this name until he was deserving of it. Jesus never called him anything but Simon (Mark 14:37; Matthew 17:25; Luke 22:31; John 21:15-17). Paul calls him by the names Peter and Cephas.... The evangelist is right when he beholds in this scene a more than human acumen. ... The history shows he was not deceived in Peter." This narrative cannot be a Johannine setting forth of the first call of the four disciples as given in the synoptists. If it be, it is a fictitious modification. Place, occasion, and immediate result are all profoundly different. The one narrative cannot be twisted into the other. Are the anti-harmonists correct in saying that they are irreconcilable? Certainly not. There is no indication that before John was cast into prison, before Jesus commenced his public ministry in Galilee, he had called disciples away from their ordinary duties to be his apostles. Some of these four may have returned, as Jesus himself did, to his family and domestic surroundings (John 2:12). John may have accompanied Jesus to Jerusalem and through Samaria. But there is much to make it probable that Simon, Andrew, and at least, were, during the whole of that period, on the lake pondering the future. Christ's solemn, sudden call to them to become "fishers of men," after a manifestation to them of his supernatural powers, presupposes rather than excludes this earlier interview. Simon, on that occasion, by the exclamation recorded (Luke 5:5), reveals an earlier acquaintance with and reverence for his ἐπιστάτης (see an admirable vindication of this position in Weiss, 'Life of Jesus,' vol. 1.). The Lord, in this first interview, penetrates and denominates the character of the most illustrious of his followers. His rocklike fortitude, which, though sorely assailed and chafed by the storms of the great sea of opinion and prejudice, formed the central nucleus of that Church against which the gates of hell have not prevailed. Our Lord implied the strength of his nature, even when he predicted his great fall (Luke 22:32).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
[Andrew] brought
ἤγαγεν (Ēgagen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 71: A primary verb; properly, to lead; by implication, to bring, drive, go, pass, or induce.

him
αὐτὸν (auton)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

to
πρὸς (pros)
Preposition
Strong's 4314: To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.

Jesus,
Ἰησοῦν (Iēsoun)
Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

[who]
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

looked at
ἐμβλέψας (emblepsas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1689: From en and blepo; to look on, i.e. to observe fixedly, or to discern clearly.

him
αὐτῷ (autō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

[and] said,
εἶπεν (eipen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2036: Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.

“You
Σὺ (Sy)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

are
εἶ (ei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

Simon
Σίμων (Simōn)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4613: Simon. Of Hebrew origin; Simon, the name of nine Israelites.

son
υἱὸς (huios)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5207: A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.

of John.
Ἰωάννου (Iōannou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491: Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.

You
σὺ (sy)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 4771: You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.

will be called
κληθήσῃ (klēthēsē)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 2564: (a) I call, summon, invite, (b) I call, name. Akin to the base of keleuo; to 'call'.

Cephas”
Κηφᾶς (Kēphas)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2786: Of Chaldee origin; the Rock; Cephas, a surname of Peter.

(which
(ho)
Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 3739: Who, which, what, that.

is translated as
ἑρμηνεύεται (hermēneuetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2059: (a) I translate, explain, (b) I interpret the meaning of. From a presumed derivative of Hermes; to translate.

Peter).
Πέτρος (Petros)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4074: Peter, a Greek name meaning rock. Apparently a primary word; a rock; as a name, Petrus, an apostle.


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