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St.
Peter....
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St. Peter's true and original name was Simon, sometimes
occurring in the form Symeon. (Acts 15:14; II Peter 1:1). He was the son of
Jona (Johannes) and was born in Bethsaida
(John 1:42, 44), a town on Lake Genesareth, the position of which cannot be established with certainty,
although it is usually sought at the northern end of the lake. The Apostle
Andrew was his brother, and the Apostle Philip came from the same town. |
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Simon settled in Capharnaum, where he was living with his
mother-in-law in his own house (Matthew 8:14;
Luke 4:38) at the beginning of
Christ's public ministry (about A.D. 26-28). Simon was thus married, and,
according to Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, III, vi, ed. Dindorf, II,
276), had children. The same writer relates the tradition that Peter's wife
suffered martyrdom (ibid., VII, xi ed. cit., III, 306). Concerning these
facts, adopted by Eusebius (Hist. Eccl., III, xxxi) from Clement, the
ancient Christian literature which has come down to us is silent. Simon
pursued in Capharnaum the profitable occupation of fisherman in
Lake Genesareth, possessing his own boat (Luke 5:3).
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Like so many of his Jewish contemporaries, he was
attracted by the Baptist's preaching of penance and was, with his brother
Andrew, among John's associates in Bethania on the eastern bank of the
Jordan. When, after the High Council had sent envoys for the second time to
the Baptist, the latter pointed to Jesus who was passing, saying, "Behold
the Lamb of God", Andrew and another disciple followed the Saviour to his
residence and remained with Him one day. |
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Later, meeting his brother. Simon, Andrew said "We have
found the Messias", and brought him to Jesus, who, looking upon him, said:
"Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is
interpreted Peter". Already, at this first meeting, the Saviour foretold the
change of Simon's name to Cephas (Kephas; Aramaic Kipha, rock), which is
translated Petros (Lat., Petrus) a proof that Christ had already special
views with regard to Simon. Later, probably at the time of his definitive
call to the Apostolate with the eleven other Apostles, Jesus
actually gave
Simon the name of Cephas (Petrus), after which he was usually called
Peter,
especially by Christ on the solemn occasion after Peter's profession of
faith (Matthew 16:18; cf. below). The Evangelists often combine the two
names, while St. Paul uses the name Cephas. |
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