Topical Bible: Peter: Call of

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The call of Peter, originally named Simon, is a significant event in the New Testament, marking the beginning of his journey as one of Jesus Christ's closest disciples and a foundational figure in the early Christian Church. The call of Peter is recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, each providing unique details that together offer a comprehensive understanding of this pivotal moment.

Matthew 4:18-20 :
"18 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' 20 And at once they left their nets and followed Him."

In Matthew's account, Jesus encounters Peter and his brother Andrew while they are engaged in their daily work as fishermen. The immediacy of their response to Jesus' call is noteworthy; they leave their nets "at once," demonstrating a profound act of faith and obedience. This passage highlights the authority of Jesus' call and the willingness of Peter to forsake his livelihood for a higher purpose.

Mark 1:16-18 :
"16 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' 18 And at once they left their nets and followed Him."

Mark's Gospel closely parallels Matthew's account, emphasizing the same elements of immediacy and commitment. The phrase "fishers of men" is significant, as it symbolizes the new mission and identity that Jesus imparts to Peter and Andrew. This metaphor indicates a shift from their previous occupation to a spiritual vocation of gathering people into the Kingdom of God.

Luke 5:1-11 :
"1 On one occasion, while the crowd was pressing in on Him to hear the word of God, Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into the boat belonging to Simon and asked him to put out a little from shore. And He sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When Jesus had finished speaking, He said to Simon, 'Put out into deep water and let down your nets for a catch.' 5 'Master,' Simon replied, 'we have worked hard all night without catching anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.' 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to tear. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. 'Go away from me, Lord,' he said, 'for I am a sinful man.' 9 For he and his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. Then Jesus said to Simon, 'Do not be afraid; from now on you will catch men.' 11 And when they had brought their boats ashore, they left everything and followed Him."

Luke provides a more detailed narrative, including a miraculous catch of fish that precedes Peter's call. This miracle serves as a revelation of Jesus' divine authority and power, prompting Peter's recognition of his own sinfulness and unworthiness. Jesus' reassurance, "Do not be afraid," and His promise of a new mission, "from now on you will catch men," underscore the transformative nature of Peter's call. The response of Peter, along with James and John, to leave everything and follow Jesus, illustrates their total commitment to His mission.

John 1:40-42 :
"40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus. 41 He first found his brother Simon and told him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which is translated as Christ). 42 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)."

In John's Gospel, the introduction of Peter to Jesus occurs through his brother Andrew, who recognizes Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus' renaming of Simon to Cephas (Peter), meaning "rock," foreshadows Peter's future role and significance in the early Church. This encounter highlights the personal nature of Jesus' call and His foreknowledge of Peter's destiny.

The call of Peter is a profound moment that encapsulates themes of faith, obedience, and transformation. It marks the beginning of Peter's journey from a humble fisherman to a pivotal leader in the Christian faith, illustrating the power of Jesus' call to change lives and destinies.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 4:18-20
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
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Mark 1:16-18
Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.
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Luke 5:1-11
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed on him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
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Library

Different Accounts of the Call of Peter, and of the Imprisonment ...
... Tenth Book. 6. Different Accounts of the Call of Peter, and of the Imprisonment
of the Baptist. The Meaning of "Capernaum.". These ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/6 different accounts of the.htm

Peter's Apologia
... And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto
him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/peters apologia.htm

But it Should be Known that There are Also Other Books which Our ...
... should be known that there are also other books which our fathers call not "Canonical ...
and that] which is called The Two Ways, or the Judgment of Peter; all of ...
/.../38 but it should be.htm

By the Sea of Galilee - the Final Call of the First Disciples, and ...
... [2263] Thus, neither Peter and Andrew, nor the sons of Zebedee, could have
misunderstood the call of Christ, or even regarded it as strange. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xiii by the sea.htm

Peter and the Roman Officer
... Send therefore to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose other name is Peter; he is staying
in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the seaside.' So I sent to you at once ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/peter and the roman officer.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Peter.
... In comparison with the precious "blood of Christ" Peter characterizes silver and
gold, which men call precious metals, as "corruptible things," and then gives ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter viii entire sanctification as.htm

Appendix xviii. Haggadah About Simeon Kepha (Legend of Simon Peter ...
... But the Nazarenes raised there a great fabric, and this tower may be seen in Rome,
and they call it Peter, which is the word for a stone, because he sat on a ...
/.../appendix xviii haggadah about simeon.htm

Again on Matt. xiv. 25:00:00 of the Lord Walking on the Waves of ...
... Lo, what Peter was in the Lord; what was he in himself ... called upon God, and hath
been forsaken by Him?" [2591] where again is that, "Whosoever shall call on the ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxvi again on matt.htm

On the Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead; He Ascended into ...
... As St. John himself puts it, it seems almost to convey that he had longed
to share Peter's call, with all that it implied. For, St. ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii on the third.htm

Introductory Notice to Peter, Bishop of Alexandria.
... of them called Responsa, some fragments of other works of Peter are extant. Some
of these are praised by the Jacobites, in the work which they call Fides patrum ...
/.../the writings of peter of alexandria/introductory notice to peter bishop.htm