Saint Peter
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{{redirect|St Peter|other uses|St. Peter (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Saint
|name= Saint Peter
|birth_date=
|death_date=~64
|feast_day=[[January 16]] (Chains of St. Peter)<br>[[February 22]] (Chair)<br>[[June 29]] (Martyrdom, together with [[St. Paul]])<br>[[November 18]] (Dedication)
|venerated_in= [[Roman Catholic Church]]<br>[[Eastern Orthodox Church]]<br>[[Anglican Church]]<br>[[Oriental Orthodoxy]]<br>
|image=Francesco del Cossa 017.jpg
|Saint Peter, the "rock" of the Roman Catholic Church
|birth_place=[[Bethsaida]]
|death_place=[[Rome]], by [[crucifixion]]
|titles=West: Prince of the Apostles, First Pope<br>East: Pre-eminent Apostle
|canonized_date=
|canonized_place=
|canonized_by=
|attributes= [[Keys of Heaven]], [[pallium]], [[Papal regalia and insignia|Papal vestments]], man crucified head downwards, vested as an Apostle, holding a book or scroll. Iconographically, he is depicted with a bushy white beard and white hair
|patronage=See [[Saint Peter#Patronage|St. Peter's Patronage]]
|major_shrine= [[St. Peter's Basilica]]
|suppressed_date=
|issues=
}}
'''Saint Peter''' (Greek '''Πετρος''', "rock") <ref name ="Harris">[[Stephen L Harris|Harris, Stephen L.]], Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985.</ref> was one of the [[Twelve Apostles]] whom [[Jesus]] chose after the first called and brother [[Saint Andrew]] [[Disciple (Christianity)|disciples]]. His life is prominently featured in the [[New Testament]] [[Gospel]]s and the [[Acts of the Apostles]]. Peter was a [[Galilee|Galilean]] [[fisherman]] assigned a leadership role by Jesus ({{bibleverse||Matthew|16:18|KJV}}; {{bibleverse||John|21:15–16|KJV}}). He was with Jesus during events witnessed by only a few apostles, such as the [[Transfiguration]].<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref> Early Christian writers provided more details about his life and asserted his primacy. Tradition describes him as the first bishop of Rome, the author of two canonical epistles, and a martyr under Nero, crucified head down and buried in Rome.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref> His memoirs are traditionally cited as the source of the [[Gospel of Mark]].
The [[Roman Catholic Church]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]], [[Oriental Orthodoxy|Oriental Orthodox]] and [[Anglican Communion]], consider Simon Peter a [[saint]]. Roman Catholics regard the [[Pope]] as Peter's successor and therefore the rightful superior of all other bishops. Eastern and Oriental Orthodox also recognise the [[Bishop of Rome]] as the successor of Saint Peter and the [[Ecumenical Patriarch]] sends a delegation each year to [[Rome]] to participate in the celebration of his feast. In the [http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/chrstuni/ch_orthodox_docs/rc_pc_chrstuni_doc_20071013_documento-ravenna_en.html "Ravenna Document"] of [[13 October]] [[2007]], the representatives of the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] agreed that "Rome, as the Church that 'presides in love' according to the phrase of St Ignatius of Antioch (To the Romans, Prologue), occupied the first place in the ''taxis'', and that the bishop of Rome was therefore the ''protos'' among the patriarchs. They disagree, however, on the interpretation of the historical evidence from this era regarding the prerogatives of the bishop of Rome as ''protos'', a matter that was already understood in different ways in the first millennium."
The [[Historicity (Bible Studies)|historical accuracy]] of the accounts of Peter's role in Rome is a matter of ongoing debate.<ref>Ehrman, Bart D.: ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=WsQpdzzC7oMC Peter, Paul, And Mary Magdalene: The Followers of Jesus in History And Legend]'', Chapter 6, Oxford University Press
US, 2006, ISBN 0195300130</ref><ref>Keating, Karl: ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=FlWAI0JeRcsC Catholicism and fundamentalism: The attack on "romanism" by "Bible Christians"]'', Chapter 17, Ignatius Press, 1988, ISBN 0898701775</ref><ref>Perkins, Pheme: ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=sre1Itvw4SIC Peter: Apostle for the Whole Church]'', Continuum International Publishing Group, 2000, ISBN 0567087433</ref>
In art, he is often depicted holding the keys to the [[Kingdom of God|kingdom of heaven]] (interpreted by Roman Catholics as the sign of his primacy over the Church), a reference to [[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]] {{bibleverse-nb||Matthew|16:19|KJV}}.
==Names and etymologies==
Peter is also known as '''Shimon "Keipha" Ben-Yonah/Bar-Yonah''', '''Simon Peter''', ''Cephas'' and ''Keipha'' ('''Keipha''' and '''Cephas''' also mean rock)—original name '''[[Shimon]]''' or '''[[Simeon]]''' ({{lang-he|שמעון}}) ( ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] {{bibleverse-nb||Acts|15:14|KJV}}).
==New Testament account==
Peter's life story relies on the [[New Testament]], since there are few other first-century accounts of his life and death. In the New Testament, he is the first of the disciples during Jesus' ministry, and the first of the apostles in the early church.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref> <!--This section is backwards, starting with accounts from the gospels (AD 60 - 100) and ending with accounts from Paul's epistles (''c'' 56). It should start with the earliest accounts.-->
===New Testament texts===
The first New Testament texts written were Paul's epistles. Galatians depicts Peter as a pillar of the Jerusalem church, and accepting Paul and Barnabas's position as apostles to the Gentiles. He is also as an obstacle in Paul's efforts to bring Gentiles into the church.<ref name ="Harris">[[Stephen L Harris|Harris, Stephen L.]], Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985.</ref> Next, come Mark, Matthew, Luke, Acts, and John, in which he is a pre-eminent apostle and the church's ordained leader. In all four gospels, Peter proclaims Jesus to be the Messiah. Matthew, the only gospel to mention the church, says that it was founded on Peter and his confession of faith.<ref name ="Harris"/> Matthew also ascribes to Peter, as well as to the church in general, the authority to prohibit and permit actions ("bind" and "loose").<ref name ="Harris"/> Acts, written to appeal to Gentiles, portrays Peter as the chosen instrument to bring them in.<ref name ="Harris"/> John's epilogue focuses largely on Peter. Finally 2 Peter, affirms Peter's apostolic authority, as well as his authorship of 1 Peter.<ref name ="Harris">[[Stephen L Harris|Harris, Stephen L.]], Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985.</ref>
===Background===
Peter was born in [[Bethsaida]] ({{bibleverse||John|1:44}}), named Simon, son of Jonah or John.<ref>His father's name is given as 'Jonah' ({{bibleverse||John|1:42}}, {{bibleverse||Matthew|16:17}}), although some manuscripts of John give his father's name as ''John''.</ref> He was married, and his wife believed.<ref>The [[synoptic gospels]] all recount how Peter's mother-in-law [[miracles of Jesus|was healed by Jesus]] at their home in [[Capernaum]] ({{bibleverse||Matthew|8:14–17}}; {{bibleverse||Mark|1:29–31}}; {{bibleverse||Luke|4:38}}) which, coupled with {{bibleverse|1|Corinthians|9:5}}, implies that Peter was married.</ref>
===Call to discipleship===
In the [[synoptic gospels|synoptics]], Peter (then Simon) was a fisherman along with his brother [[Saint Andrew|Andrew]]. The [[Gospel of John]] also depicts Peter fishing, but only after the resurrection in the story of the [[Catch of 153 fish]].
[[Image:Ancient capernum is.JPG|thumb|left|Ruins of ancient [[Capernaum]] on north side of the [[Sea of Galilee]]. An Orthodox church is built on top of traditional site of Saint Peter's house.]]
In Matthew and Mark, Jesus called Simon and his brother [[Saint Andrew|Andrew]] to be "fishers of men" ({{bibleverse||Matthew|4:18–19}}; {{bibleverse||Mark|1:16–17}}).
In Luke, Simon owns the boat that Jesus uses to preach to the multitudes who were pressing on him at the shore of [[Lake Gennesaret]] ({{bibleverse||Luke|5:3}}). Jesus then amazes Simon and his companions James and John (Andrew is not mentioned) by telling them to lower their nets, whereupon they catch a huge number of fish. Immediately after this, they follow him ({{bibleverse||Luke|5:4–11}}).
The Gospel of John gives a slightly different, though compatible{{Fact|date=June 2008}} account ({{bibleverse||John|1:35–42}}). Andrew, we are told, was originally a disciple of [[John the Baptist]]. Along with one other disciple, Andrew heard John the Baptist describe Jesus as the "[[Lamb of God]]," whereupon he followed Jesus. He then went and fetched his brother Simon, said, "We have found the [[Messiah]]," and brought him to Jesus. Jesus then gave Simon the name "Cephas," meaning 'rock', in [[Aramaic]]. 'Petros', a masculine form of the feminine 'petra' (rock) is the Greek equivalent of this. It had not previously been used as a name, but in the Greek-speaking world it became a popular Christian name after the tradition of Peter's prominence in the early Christian church had been established.
===Position among the apostles===
Peter is always mentioned first in the lists of the Twelve. He is also frequently mentioned in the Gospels as forming with [[Saint James the Great|James the Elder]] and [[John the Apostle|John]] a special group within the Twelve Apostles, present at incidents to which the others were not party, such as at the [[Transfiguration of Jesus]]. He confesses his faith in Jesus as the Messiah.
Peter is also often depicted in the Gospels as spokesman of all the apostles, and as one to whom Jesus gave special authority. In contrast, [[Jewish Christians]] are said to have argued that [[James the Just]] was the leader of the group.<ref>http://cbi.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/5/1/73.pdf</ref> Some argue James was the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and that this position at times gave him privilege in some (but not all) situations.
Paul affirms that Peter had the special charge of being apostle to the Jews, just as he, Paul, was apostle to the Gentiles.
===Walking on water===
All four canonical Gospels recount Jesus walking on the water. Matthew additionally describes Peter walking on the water, but sinking when he lost his faith and courage([http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2014:28–31;&version=15; Matthew 14:28–31]).
===Washing of feet===
{{bibleverse||John|13:2-11}} recounts that at the beginning of the [[Last Supper]] Jesus washed his disciples' feet; Peter initially refused to let Jesus wash his feet, but when Jesus responded: "If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me", Peter replied: "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head".
The [[feet washing|washing of feet]] is often repeated at [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] on Holy Thursday in the Roman Catholic Church and at similar services by other groups.
===Arrest of Jesus===
[[Image:The capture of Christ mg 1674.jpg|thumb|Saint Peter striking Malchus]]
All four canonical Gospels mention that, when Jesus was arrested, someone cut off the ear of the high priest's slave, an action that Jesus rebuked. John names the slave as Malchus, and the man with the sword as Peter. Luke adds that Jesus touched the ear and healed it.
===Denial of Jesus===
[[Image:Gustave Doré, St Peter Denying Christ.jpg|thumb|St Peter Denying Christ, by [[Gustave Doré]]]]
All four canonical gospels recount that, during the [[Last Supper]], Jesus foretold that Peter would deny association with him three times that same night. In Matthew's account, this is reported as:
<blockquote>
''Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the [[rooster{{!}}cock]]<ref>[http://cf.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=220 Greek Lexan for the word]</ref> crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."''<ref name="kjv-mat26–34">{{cite web
| url = http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2026:34;&version=9;
| title = Matthew 26:34
| work = The Bible, King James Version
| publisher = Bible Gateway
| accessdate = 2007–04–18
}}</ref>
</blockquote>
and that Peter did so, while Jesus was on trial before the high priest. The three Synoptics describe the three denials as follows:
#A denial when a female servant of the high priest spots Simon Peter, saying that he had been with Jesus.
#A denial when Simon Peter had gone out to the gateway, away from the firelight, but the same servant girl or another told the bystanders he was a follower of Jesus.
#A denial came when recognition of Peter as a Galilean was taken as proof that he was indeed a disciple of Jesus. Matthew adds that it was his [[Accent (linguistics)|accent]] that gave him away as coming from Galilee. Luke deviates slightly from this by stating that, rather than a crowd accusing Simon Peter, it was a third individual. The Gospel of John places the second denial while Peter was still warming himself at the fire, and gives as the occasion of the third denial a claim by someone to have seen him in the garden of [[Gethsemane]] when [[arrest of Jesus|Jesus was arrested]].
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus' prediction of Peter's denial is coupled with a prediction that all the apostles ("you," plural) would be "sifted like wheat," but that it would be Peter's task ("you," singular), when he had turned again, to strengthen his brethren.
In a reminiscent<ref name = "May Metzger">May, Herbert G. and Bruce M. Metzger. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. 1977.</ref> scene in John's epilogue, Peter affirms three times that he loves Jesus.
===Empty tomb===
In John's gospel, Peter is the first person to enter the [[empty tomb]], although the women and the [[beloved disciple]] see it before him ({{bibleverse||John|20:1–9}}). In Luke's account, the women's report of the empty tomb is dismissed by the apostles and Peter is the only one who goes to check for himself. After seeing the graveclothes he goes home, apparently without informing the other disciples ({{bibleverse||Luke|24:1–12}}).
[[Image:Church peters primacy.jpg|thumb|left|Church of the Primacy of St. Peter on the [[Sea of Galilee]]. Traditional site where [[Jesus Christ]] appeared to his disciples after his resurrection and, according to Catholic tradition, established Peter's supreme jurisdiction over the Christian church.]]
===Resurrection appearances===
Paul's [[First Epistle to the Corinthians]] ([[1 Corinthians 15]]: 3-7) contains a list of [[resurrection appearances of Jesus]], the first of which is an appearance to "Cephas" (Peter).<ref>[http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2015:3–7;&version=15; 1 Corithians 15:3–7]</ref> Here Paul follows a very early tradition that Peter was the first to see the risen Christ.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref> {{bibleverse||Luke|24:34}} also mentions an appearance to "Simon" as the first in Jerusalem, more or less contemporaneous with the appearance to the two disciples on their way to [[Emmaus]].
In the [[John 21|final chapter]] of the Gospel of John, Peter, in one of the [[resurrection appearances of Jesus]], three times affirmed his love for Jesus, balancing his threefold denial, and Jesus reconfirmed Peter's position ({{bibleverse||John|21:15–17}}). Some scholars hypothesize that it was added later to bolster Peter's status.<ref>Brodie, T. L. (1997). The Gospel according to John a literary and theological commentary. New York: Oxford University Press. pg. 574 </ref>
[[Image:StMarysAylesburyDetail6.jpg|upright|thumb|Statue of St. Peter on the south door of St Mary's Church in [[Aylesbury]], [[United Kingdom]]]]
===Role in the early church===
The author of the [[Acts of the Apostles]] portrays Peter as an extremely important figure within the early Christian community, with Peter delivering a significant [[Open-air preaching|open-air sermon]] during [[Pentecost]]. According to the same book, Peter took the lead in selecting a replacement for [[Judas Iscariot]] ({{bibleverse||Acts|1:15}}). He was twice arraigned, with John, before the [[Sanhedrin]] and directly defied them ({{bibleverse||Acts|4:7–22}}, {{bibleverse||Acts|5:18–42}}). He undertook a missionary journey to [[Lydda]], [[Jaffa, Israel|Joppa]] and [[Caesarea Maritima|Caesarea]] ({{bibleverse||Acts|9:32–10:2}}), becoming instrumental in the decision to evangelise the [[Gentile]]s ({{bibleverse||Acts|10}}).
About halfway through, the [[Acts of the Apostles]] turns its attention away from Peter and to the activities of Paul, and the Bible is fairly silent on what occurred to Peter afterwards.
===Antioch and Corinth===
A fleeting mention of Peter visiting [[Antioch]] is made in the [[Epistle to the Galatians]] ({{bibleverse||Galatians|2:11-14}}) where Paul rebuked him for treating Gentile converts as inferior to Jewish Christians.<ref name ="Harris">[[Stephen L Harris|Harris, Stephen L.]], Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985.</ref> The [[Liber Pontificalis]] (9th century) mentions Peter as having served as bishop of Antioch before his journey to Rome.<ref>Louise Ropes Loomis, The Book of Popes (Liber Pontificalis). Merchantville, NJ: Evolution Publishing. ISBN 1-889758-86-8 (Reprint of the 1916 edition.</ref> Historians have furnished other evidence of Peter's sojourn in Antioch.<ref>This is provided in Downey, ''A History of Antioch'', pp. 583–586. This evidence is accepted by M. Lapidge, among others, see Bischoff and Lapidge, ''Biblical Commentaries from the Canterbury School'' (Cambridge, 1994) p. 16. Lastly, see Finegan, ''The Archaeology of the New Testament'', pp. 63–71.</ref> Subsequent tradition held that Peter had been the first [[Patriarch of Antioch]].
He might have visited [[Corinth, Greece|Corinth]], as a party of "Cephas" existed there.<ref name="ODCC Peter"/>
===Council of Jerusalem===
{{main|Council of Jerusalem}}
At the council of Jerusalem (''c'' 50), the early Christian church, Paul and the leaders of the Jerusalem church met and decided to embrace Gentile converts. In Galatians, Paul depicts Peter as supporting Paul's mission among the Gentiles, shaking hands on it, along with James and John.<ref name ="Harris"/> In the same epistle, he declares Christianity independent from Judaism and himself independent of the Jerusalem church, owing the other apostles there "nothing."<ref name ="Harris"/> Acts portrays Peter as successfully opposing the Christian Pharisees who insisted on circumcision and the rest of the Mosaic law.<ref name ="Harris"/>
===Epistles===
Church tradition ascribes the epistles First and Second Peter to Saint Peter,<ref name ="Harris"/> as does the text of 2 Peter itself. First Peter refers to the author being in Rome ("Babylon").<ref name ="Harris">[[Stephen L Harris|Harris, Stephen L.]], Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985.</ref> Most scholars regard First Peter as not authored by him,<ref name ="Harris"/> and virtually no authorities ascribe Petrine authorship to Second Peter.<ref name ="Harris"/>
===Death===
In the epilogue<ref name ="Harris">[[Stephen L Harris|Harris, Stephen L.]], Understanding the Bible. Palo Alto: Mayfield. 1985.</ref> of the Gospel of John, Jesus hints at the death by which Peter would glorify God ({{bibleverse||John|21:18–19}}), saying "'…when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and take you where you do not want to go.'" This is understood as a reference to Peter's crucifixion.<ref name = "May Metzger">May, Herbert G. and Bruce M. Metzger. The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha. 1977.</ref>
==Accounts outside the New Testament==
In church tradition, Peter is said to have founded the church in Rome (with Paul), served as its bishop, authored two epistles, and then met martyrdom there along with Paul.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref>
===Status===
[[St. Clement]] of Rome identifies Peter and Paul as the outstanding heroes of the faith.<ref name ="ODCC Peter">"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref> Papias reported that the Gospel of Mark was based on Peter's memoirs, a tradition still accepted by some scholars today.<ref name ="ODCC Peter"/>
===Martyrdom===
[[Image:Caravaggio-Crucifixion of Peter.jpg|thumb|[[Caravaggio]]'s depiction of the crucifixion of Saint Peter.]]
The ''[[Annuario Pontificio]]'' gives the year of Peter's death as A.D. [[64]] or A.D. [[67]]. Some scholars believe that he died on [[October 13]] A.D. [[64]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} Traditionally,[[Roman Empire|Roman]] authorities sentenced him to death by [[crucifixion]]. According to the [[apocryphal]] [[Acts of Peter]], he was crucified head down. Tradition also locates his burial place where the [[St. Peter's Basilica|Basilica of Saint Peter]] was later built, directly beneath the Basilica's high altar.
Early church tradition (as indicated below), says that Peter, probably at the time of the [[Great Fire of Rome]] of the year 64, for which the [[Emperor Nero]] blamed the Christians, met martyrdom in Rome.
[[Clement of Rome]], in his ''Letter to the Corinthians'' (Chapter 5), written ''c.'' [[80]]-[[98]], speaks of Peter's martyrdom in the following terms: "Let us take the noble examples of our own generation. Through jealousy and envy the greatest and most just pillars of the Church were persecuted, and came even unto death… Peter, through unjust envy, endured not one or two but many labours, and at last, having delivered his testimony, departed unto the place of glory due to him."
Traditions originating in or recorded in the [[apocrypha]]l [[Acts of Peter]], say that the Romans crucified Peter upside down at his request because he did not wish to be equated with Jesus. Acts of Peter is also thought to be the source for the tradition about the famous phrase "[[Quo Vadis|Quo vadis, Domine?]]" (or "Pou Hupageis, Kurios?" which means, "Whither goest Thou, Master?"), a question that, according to this tradition, Peter, fleeing Rome to avoid execution, asked a vision of Jesus, and to which Jesus responded that he was "going to Rome, to be crucified again," causing Peter to decide to return to the city and accept martyrdom. This story is commemorated in an [[Annibale Carracci]] painting. The [[Quo Vadis (church)|Church of Quo Vadis]], near the [[Catacombs]] of [[Pope Callistus I|Saint Callistus]], contains a stone in which Jesus' footprints from this event are supposedly preserved, though this was actually apparently an ''[[ex-voto]]'' from a [[pilgrim]], and indeed a copy of the original, housed in the [[San Sebastiano fuori le mura|Basilica of St Sebastian]].
The ancient historian [[Josephus]] describes how Roman soldiers would amuse themselves by crucifying criminals in different positions, and it is likely that this would have been known to the author of the ''Acts of Peter''. The position attributed to Peter's crucifixion is thus plausible, either as having happened historically or as being an invention by the author of the ''Acts of Peter''. Death, after crucifixion head down, is unlikely to be caused by [[suffocation]], the usual cause of death in ordinary crucifixion.
A [[The Middle Ages|medieval]] misconception was that the [[Mamertine Prison]] in Rome is the place where Peter was imprisoned before his execution.
In 1950, human bones were found buried underneath the altar of St. Peter's Basilica. The bones have been claimed by many to have been those of Peter.<ref>Walsh, ''The Bones of St. Peter: A 1st Full Account of the Search for the Apostle's Body'' [http://ionarts.blogspot.com/2003/10/tomb-of-st-peter-on-vatican-hill.html A more popular account of the traditional tomb]</ref> An attempt to contradict these claims was made in 1953 by the excavation of what some believe to be [[St Peter's tomb]] in Jerusalem.<ref>Finegan, ''The Archeology of the New Testament'', pp. 368–370. [http://www.aloha.net/~mikesch/peters-jerusalem-tomb.htm A more popular account of this tomb.]</ref> However along with supposed tomb of Peter bearing his previous name Simon, tombs bearing the names of Jesus, Mary, James, John, and the rest of the apostles were also found at the same excavation.
In 1968 further excavations were made beneath St Peters Basilica, and the bones of a male person were located. A forensic examination found them to be a male of about 61 years of age from the first century. This caused Pope Paul VI to announce them most likely to be the relics of Saint Peter.<ref>www.saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/JW/TheBonesofStPeter-1.htm - 34k -</ref>
===Connection to Rome===
While the New Testament is silent on Peter's connection to Rome, an early and unrivalled church tradition supports such a connection.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref>
Saint [[Ignatius of Antioch]] implies that Peter and Paul had special authority over the Roman church.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref> In his ''Letter to the Romans'' (Ch. 4) of ''c.'' [[105]]-[[110]], tells the Roman Christians: "I do not command you, as Peter and Paul did."
St. [[Irenaeus of Lyon]] stated definitively that Peter and Paul founded the Roman church. Irenaeus was a disciple of [[St. Polycarp of Smyrna]], who was himself a disciple of the Apostle [[John the Apostle|St. John]], which puts Irenaeus not far from the authentic teachings of the Apostles. In ''c.'' [[175]]-[[185]], he wrote in ''[[On the Detection and Overthrow of the So-Called Gnosis|Against Heresies]]'' (Book III, Chapter III, paragraphs 2–3):
<blockquote>Since, however, it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the succession of all the churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious apostles, Peter and Paul, that church which has the tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the apostles. With that church, because of its superior origin, all the churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world, and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the apostolic tradition.''</blockquote>
<blockquote>The blessed apostles, then, having founded and built up the Church, committed into the hands of Linus the office of the episcopate. Of this Linus, Paul makes mention in the Epistles to Timothy. To him succeeded Anacletus; and after him, in the third place from the apostles, Clement was allotted the bishopric. This man, as he had seen the blessed apostles, and had been conversant with them, might be said to have the preaching of the apostles still echoing [in his ears], and their traditions before his eyes. Nor was he alone [in this], for there were many still remaining who had received instructions from the apostles. In the time of this Clement, no small dissension having occurred among the brethren at Corinth, the Church in Rome dispatched a most powerful letter to the Corinthians, exhorting them to peace, renewing their faith, and declaring the tradition which it had lately received from the apostles…''</blockquote>
Tertullian also writes: "But if you are near Italy, you have Rome, where authority is at hand for us too. What a happy church that is, on which the apostles poured out their whole doctrine with their blood; where Peter had a passion like that of the Lord, where Paul was crowned with the death of John (the Baptist, by being beheaded)."
[[Dionysius of Corinth]] also serves as a witness to the tradition.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref> He wrote: "You (Pope Soter) have also, by your very admonition, brought together the planting that was made by Peter and Paul at Rome and at Corinth; for both of them alike planted in our Corinth and taught us; and both alike, teaching similarly in Italy, suffered martyrdom at the same time" (Letter to Pope Soter A.D. 170, in Eusebius, History of the Church 2:25:8).
Later tradition, first found in Saint Jerome, attributes to Peter a 25-year episcopate (or apostolate) in Rome.<ref>"Peter, St." Cross, F. L., ed. The Oxford dictionary of the Christian church. New York: Oxford University Press. 2005</ref>
===Sayings of Peter===
Two sayings are attributed to Peter in the [[Gospel of Thomas]]. In the first, Peter compares Jesus to a "just messenger."<ref>[http://www.misericordia.edu/users/davies/thomas/Trans.htm Gospel of Thomas 13]</ref> In the second, Peter asks Jesus to "make Mary leave us, for females don't deserve life,"<ref>[http://www.misericordia.edu/users/davies/thomas/Trans.htm Gospel of Thomas 114]</ref> although the verse containing the second is regarded as a dubious, later addition by most scholars.
In the [[Apocalypse of Peter]], Peter holds a dialogue with Jesus about the [[parable of the fig tree]] and the fate of [[sinners]].<ref>[http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/apocalypsepeter-mrjames.html Apocalypse of Peter]</ref>
In the [[Gospel of Mary]], Peter appears to be jealous of "Mary" (probably [[Mary Magdalene]]). He says to the other disciples "Did He really speak privately with a woman and not openly to us? Are we to turn about and all listen to her? Did He prefer her to us?"<ref>[http://www.gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm Gospel of Mary 9:4]</ref> In reply to this, [[Saint Matthew|Levi]] says "Peter, you have always been hot tempered."<ref>http://www.gnosis.org/library/marygosp.htm Gospel of Mary 9:6</ref>
Other noncanonical texts that attribute sayings to Peter include the [[Secret Book of James]] and the [[Acts of Peter]].
===Denial of Jesus===
In the [[Fayyum Fragment]] Jesus predicts that Peter will deny him three times before the cock crows at dawn in an account similar to that of the canonical gospels, especially the [[Gospel of Mark]]. The fragment's account is abbreviated, possibly a source text for the scene in Mark or an edited version of it.
===After the death of Jesus===
The fragmentary [[Gospel of Peter]], attributed to Peter, contains an account of the death of Jesus differing significantly from the canonical gospels. It contains little information about Peter himself, except that after the discovery of the [[empty tomb]], "I, Simon Peter, and Andrew my brother, took our fishing nets and went to the sea."
<ref>[http://www.cygnus-study.com/pagepet.html Gospel of Peter 14:3]</ref>
==Religious interpretations==
===Roman Catholic Church===
{{Infobox Pope |
English name = Peter |
image = [[Image:S. Peter GraoVasco1.jpg|200px]] |
birth_name = Simon/Simeon |
term_start = [[30]] AD? |
term_end = [[64]] AD? |
predecessor = [[Jesus]] |
successor = [[Pope Linus|Linus]] |
birth_date = |
birthplace = [[Bethsaida]] (traditional) |
dead = dead |
death_date = [[Circa]] [[64]] AD |
deathplace = [[Ancient Rome|City of Rome]], <br>present day [[Italy]] {{flagicon|ITA}}|
}}
{{infobox popestyles|
papal name=Pope Peter|
dipstyle=His Holiness|
offstyle=Your Holiness|
relstyle=Holy Father|
deathstyle=Saint|}}
{{main|Primacy of Simon Peter|Primacy of the Roman Pontiff}}
In Catholic tradition, Peter's leadership role among the Apostles, referred to above lies at the root of the leadership role of the [[pope]] among the [[bishop]]s of the Church. The pope is seen as the successor of Peter as [[bishop of Rome]] by all the ancient Christian Churches. Some [[Protestantism|Protestants]] question this belief on the grounds of alleged lack of contemporary evidence.
The first Epistle of Peter ends with "The church that is in [[Babylon]], chosen together with you, salutes you, and so does my son, Mark." (1 Pet 5:13). Though the word "Babylon" refers literally to a city in [[Mesopotamia]], it could be used cryptically to indicate Rome, as some argue the term is used in [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] {{bibleverse-nb||Revelation|14:8|KJV}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Revelation|16:19|KJV}}; {{bibleverse-nb||Revelation|17:5-6|KJV}}, and in the works of various Jewish seers. "Babylon" could also simply be a reference to the present age, so the reference to a specific place is not conclusive.
In reference to Peter's occupation before becoming an Apostle, the popes wear the [[Fisherman's Ring]], which bears an image of the saint casting his nets from a fishing boat. The keys used as a symbol of the Pope's authority refer to the "keys of the kingdom of Heaven" promised to Peter ({{bibleverse||Matthew|16:18–19}}). The terminology of this "commission" of Peter is unmistakably parallel to the commissioning of Eliakim ben Hilkiah in {{bibleverse||Isaiah|22:15}} and {{bibleverse||Isaiah|22:19–23}}.
Peter is therefore often depicted in both Western and Eastern Christian art holding a key or a set of keys.
In the same passage of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells Peter: "You are ''Peter'', and on this ''rock'' I will build my Church." In the original [[Greek language|Greek]] the word translated as "Peter" is ''Πέτρος'' (Petros) and that translated as "rock" is ''πέτρα'' (petra), two words that, while not identical, give an impression of a play on words. Furthermore, since Jesus presumably spoke to Peter in their native [[Aramaic language]], he would have used ''kepha'' in both instances.<ref name = "keating">[http://www.catholic.com/library/Peter_the_Rock.asp http://www.catholic.com/library/Peter_the_Rock.asp]</ref> The Peshitta Text and the Old Syriac text use the word "kepha" for both "Peter" and "rock" in Matthew 16:18.<ref>[http://www.peshitta.org/pdf/Mattich16.pdf http://www.peshitta.org/pdf/Mattich16.pdf]</ref> [[Gospel of John|John 1:42]] says Jesus called Simon "Cephas", as does Paul in some letters. The traditional Catholic interpretation has therefore been that Jesus told Peter (Rock) that he would build his Church on this Peter (Rock).
====Protestant objections====
Many Protestants agree that Jesus made Peter the head of the church, but Protestants deny the doctrine of [[Apostolic Succession]]. Thus, they say, they question the popes without questioning Peter.
Some Protestant scholars disagree with this interpretation on the basis of the difference between the Greek words. In classical Attic Greek ''petros'' generally meant "pebble," while ''petra'' meant "boulder" or "cliff." Accordingly, taking Peter's name to mean "pebble," they argue that the "rock" in question cannot have been Peter, but something else, either Jesus himself, or the faith in Jesus that Peter had just professed. In appealing to the doctrine of [[Biblical inerrancy]], these scholars claim that speculation regarding the original language/word choice of the event recorded in Matthew is irrelevant because the account in Greek is without error, and thus there must be significance to the different words chosen by the author.
[[Image:Gesupietrochiave.jpg|thumb|left|Christ Handing the Keys to St Peter, by [[Pietro Perugino]] (1481-82)]]
Counter-arguments are presented not only by Catholic [[apologist]]s like Karl Keating<ref name = "keating" /> but also by scholars of other Christian churches, such as the Evangelical Christian D. A. Carson in ''The Expositor's Bible Commentary'' (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984). They point out that the Gospel of Matthew was written, not in the classical Attic form of Greek, but in the Hellenistic [[Koine Greek|Koine dialect]], in which there is no distinction in meaning between ''petros'' and ''petra''. Moreover, even in Attic Greek, in which the regular meaning of ''petros'' was a smallish "stone," there are instances of its use to refer to larger rocks, as in [[Sophocles]], ''[[Oedipus at Colonus]]'' v. 1595, where ''petros'' refers to a boulder used as a landmark, obviously something more than a pebble. In any case, a ''petros''/''petra'' distinction is irrelevant considering the Aramaic language in which the phrase might well have been spoken. In Greek, of any period, the feminine noun ''petra'' could not be used as the given name of a male, which may explain the use of ''Petros'' as the Greek word with which to translate Aramaic ''Kepha''.<ref name = "keating" />
By analyzing the Greek, it is also believed Jesus meant to single out Peter as the very rock which he will build upon. Matthew uses the demonstrative pronoun ''taute'', which allegedly means "this very" or ''this same'', when he refers to the rock on which Jesus' church will be built. He also uses the Greek word for "and", ''kai''. It is alleged that when a demonstrative pronoun is used with ''kai'', the pronoun refers back to the preceding noun. The second rock Jesus refers to must then be the same rock as the first one; and if Peter is the first rock he must also be the second.<ref>''Jesus, Peter & the Keys: A Scriptural Handbook on the Papacy </ref>
Both Latin and Greek writers in the early church (such as St. [[John Chrysostom]]) considered the "foundation rock" as applying to both Peter personally and his confession of faith (or the faith of his confession) symbolically, as well as seeing Christ's promise to apply more generally to his twelve apostles and the Church at large.<ref>{{cite book|title="Peter's Primacy in the New Testament and the Early Tradition" in The Primacy of Peter|author=Veselin Kesich|year=1992|publisher=St. Vladimir's Seminary Press|id= |pages= 61-66}}</ref> This "double meaning" interpretation is present in the [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]].<ref>[[Catechism of the Catholic Church]], Articles 424 and 552</ref>
====St. Peter's Basilica====
When, in the early fourth century, the [[Emperor Constantine I]] decided to honour Peter with a large [[basilica]], the precise location of Peter's burial was so firmly fixed in the belief of the Christians of Rome that the building had to be erected on a site that involved considerable difficulties, both physical (excavating the slope of the Vatican Hill, while the great church could much more easily have been built on level ground only slightly to the south) and moral and legal (demolishing a cemetery). The focal point of [[St. Peter's Basilica]], both in its original form and in its later complete reconstruction, is the altar placed over what is held to be the exact place where Peter was buried.
====Feast days====
[[Image:SaintPeterRelic.jpg|thumb|Looking down into the ''[[confessio]]'' containing [[Relic]]s of Saint-Peter, [[Saint Peter's Basilica]], [[Rome]].]]
The [[Roman Martyrology]] assigns [[29 June]] as the [[Calendar of saints|feast day]] of both Peter and [[Paul the Apostle|Paul]], without thereby declaring that to be the day of their deaths. St. [[Augustine of Hippo]] says in his Sermon 295: "One day is assigned for the celebration of the martyrdom of the two apostles. But those two were one. Although their martyrdom occurred on different days, they were one."
*[[January 18]], Feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome (see below for explanation)
*[[February 22]], [[Feast of the Chair of St. Peter]] at Antioch (see below for explanation)
*[[June 29]], [[Feast of Saints Peter and Paul]]
*[[August 1]], [[St. Peter in Chains]] Roman calendar prior to [[1962]]
*[[November 18]], [[Feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of Saints Peter and Paul]]
The Feast of the Chair of Peter was originally celebrated on February 22. However since this date usually fall during Lent, in places such as Gaul it came to be celebrated in January 18. In 1588, [[Pope Paul IV]] doubled the feast officially and the original one was associated with Antioch while the newer one was associated with Rome. This feast at January 18 (along with August 1, St. Peter in Chains) was suppressed as part of the simplification of the calendar in [[1961]] and the original feast of February 22 remains in honor of Peter Authority over all the churches in the world. However January 18 remains the date for the [[Week of Prayer for Christian Unity|Prayer of Christian Unity]] with an octave ending January 25, [[Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul]].
===Eastern Orthodox===
[[Image:StPeter-RussianMuseum.jpg|thumb|[[Icon]] of St. Peter (15th century, [[Russian State Museum]], [[Saint Petersburg]]).]]
The [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] regards Saint Peter, together with Saint Paul, as "Preeminent Apostles". Another title used for Peter is ''Coryphaeus'', which could be translated as "Choir-director", or lead singer.<ref>[[John Meyendorff]], et al. (1963), ''The Primacy of Peter in the Orthodox Church'' ([[St. Vladimir's Seminary]] Press, Crestwood NY, ISBN 978-0-881-41125-6)</ref> The church recognizes Saint Peter's leadership role in the [[early church]], especially in the very early days at Jerusalem, but does not consider him to have had any "princely" role over his fellow Apostles. The New Testament is not seen by the Orthodox as supporting any extraordinary authority for Peter with regard to faith or morals. The Orthodox also hold that Peter did not act as leader at the [[Council of Jerusalem]], but as merely one of a number who spoke. The final decision regarding the non-necessity of [[circumcision]] (and certain prohibitions) was spelled out by [[James, the Brother of the Lord]] (though Catholics hold James merely reiterated and fleshed out what Peter had said, regarding the latter's earlier divine revelation regarding the inclusion of Gentiles).
With regard to Jesus' words to Peter, "Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my church", the Orthodox hold Christ is referring to the confession of faith, ''not'' the person of Peter as that upon which he will build the church. This is allegedly shown by the fact that the original Greek uses the feminine demonstrative pronoun when he says "upon this rock" (ταύτι τή πέτρα); whereas, grammatically, if he had been referring to Peter, he would allegedly have used the masculine.<ref>Holy Apostles Convent (1999) ''The Orthodox New Testament'', Vol. I: The Holy Gospels (Dormition Skete, Buena Vista CO, ISBN 0-944359-13-2) p. 105</ref> This "gender distinction" argument is also held by some Protestants.
====Feast days====
In the Orthodox [[Daily Office]] every Thursday throughout the year is dedicated to the Holy Apostles, including St. Peter. There are also two [[feast day]]s in the year which are dedicated to him:
*[[June 29]], [[Feast of Saints Peter and Paul]]—This is a major feast day and is preceded by a period of Lenten fasting known as the [[Apostles' Fast]]
*[[January 16]], Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter—commemorating both the chains which {{bibleverse||Acts|12:1-11|KJV}} says miraculously fell from him, and the chains in which he was held before his [[martyr]]dom by [[Nero]]
===Evangelical Protestant and Seventh-day Adventist===
{{Unreferencedsection|date=June 2008}}
Evangelical Protestants, Seventh Day Adventists and others contend that the idea of Peter being the first Pope is based on a misinterpretation.{{Fact|date=June 2007}} (see the discussions above about the words "petros" and "petra" in Attic and Koine Greek, and as a translation from the Aramaic).
They argue in addition that Peter was in need of a firm foundation to gain a sense of stability, as Peter was noted for his great zeal, but instability:
# In {{bibleverse||Matthew|14:28–31|KJV}} Peter went out to walk on water, but then sank because of doubt.
# In {{bibleverse||Matthew|26:35|KJV}} and {{bibleverse||Matthew|26:74|KJV}} Peter dramatically swears that he will not deny his Lord even on pain of death, but he denied Jesus with cursing and swearing.
# {{bibleverse||Matthew|15:15|KJV}}, {{bibleverse||Matthew|16:16|KJV}}, {{bibleverse||Matthew|17:4|KJV}} {{bibleverse||Matthew|18:21|KJV}}, {{bibleverse||Matthew|19:27|KJV}} are a few examples of Peter being the first to answer.
# {{bibleverse||John|21:7|KJV}} Peter jumping into the water to meet his Lord.
They also argue that the statement by Peter: "''Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God''" <ref>This phrase is found in {{bibleverse||Revelation|12:17|KJV}} and {{bibleverse||Revelation|19:10|KJV}}.</ref> is the '''foundation''' of the Christian faith: not Peter, but the '''testimony''' that Peter gave.
They also argue that Peter's acts are recorded in all of the [[gospels]], and the [[book of Acts]], and his writings were included in the bible, and are used by Christians today. In this sense Peter was used in the building of the Lord's church, as a small stone (petros) would be used.
They also argue that the idea of making a single man the whole foundation of the church would go against the principle taught in {{bibleverse||Matthew|23:8–12|KJV}} although in {{bibleverse||John|21:15-17|NAB}} Jesus clearly tells "The Beloved Disciple" to feed and tend his sheep, and the ability to ''loose'' and ''bind'' is given to every disciple of Christ. ({{bibleverse||Matthew|18:18|KJV}})
===New Apostolic Church===
The [[New Apostolic Church]], who believes in the re-established Apostle ministry, sees Peter as the first [[Chief Apostle]].
===Latter Day Saint movement===
[[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] (LDS Church or "[[Mormons]]") along with other sects of the [[Latter Day Saint movement]] believe that Peter was the first leader of the early Christian church, but reject papal succession. In interpreting Matthew 16: 13–19 the church has stated, "The words then addressed to him, 'Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church,' have been made the foundation of the papal claims. But it is the Godhead of Christ, which Peter had just confessed, that is the true keystone of the Church."<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bd/p/27 LDS Bible Dictionary—Peter]</ref> Latter-day saints believe that as part of the restoration, Peter, James and John came from heaven and conferred the keys of the [[Melchizedek Priesthood]] upon [[Joseph Smith, Jr.|Joseph Smith]] and [[Oliver Cowdery]] in [[1829]], near [[Harmony Township, Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania]].<ref>[http://scriptures.lds.org/en/dc/27/12–13#12 Doctrine & Covenants 27: 12–13]</ref>
===Afro-American syncretism===
In the Cuban [[Santería]] and [[Palo Mayombe]], he has been syncretized with [[Ogún]].
===Jewish folklore===
According to Jewish folklore ([[Toledot Yeshu]] narrative), St. Peter (Shimeon Kepha Ha-Tzadik) has a pristine reputation as a greatly learned and holy man who according to the directions of his sage to bring about the end of one hundred years of strife in Israel, established the [[Sabbath in Christianity|Sunday Sabbath]] for [[God-Fearers]] (converted from among [[Gnostic]] [[heretic]]s known as The Watchers) instead of Saturday, [[Noel]] (as a new year feast but not as Christmas) instead of [[Hanukkah]], the [[Feast of the Cross]] instead of [[Rosh Hashana]], [[Easter|Firstfruits]] instead of [[Pesach]], remembering The Feast of The Jews {{Bibleverse||John|7:2|49|}} instead of [[Sukkot]], and the [[Ascension of Jesus Christ|Ascension]] for them instead of [[Shavuot]]. R. [[Judah ben Samuel of Regensburg]], who led Germany's 12th-century [[Chasidei Ashkenaz]], considered him to be a ''[[Tzaddik]]'' (a Jewish saint or spiritual Master among [[Hasideans|Hasidim]]) ([[Sefer Hasidim]]). The Tosaphist [[Rabbeinu Tam]] wrote that he was "a devout and learned Jew who dedicated his life to guiding gentiles along the proper path". Tam also passed on the traditions that St Peter was the author of the Sabbath and feast-day ''[http://headcoverings-by-devorah.com/Nishmat.html Nishmat]'' prayer, which has no other traditional author, and also that he authored a prayer for [[Yom Kippur]] in order to prove his commitment to Judaism despite his work amongst Gentiles ([[Julius Eisenstein|R.J.D. Eisenstein]]). Legends about Peter and his activities are also mentioned in other medieval works, such as the ''[[Mahzor Vitri]]''.
==Writings==
Traditionally, two canonical epistles (1 & 2 Peter) and several apocryphal works have been attributed to Saint Peter.
===New Testament===
[[Image:Petersinai.jpg|thumb|A 6th-century encaustic icon from [[Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai]].]]
The [[New Testament]] includes two letters (''epistles'') ascribed to Peter. Both demonstrate a high quality of cultured and urban Greek, at odds with the linguistic skill that would ordinarily be expected of an [[Aramaic]]-speaking fisherman, who would have learned Greek as a second or third language. However, the author of the first epistle explicitly claims to be using a secretary (see below), and this explanation would allow for discrepancies in style without entailing a different source. The textual features of these two epistles are such that a majority of scholars doubt that they were written by the same hand. This means at the most that Peter could not have authored both, or at the least that he used a different secretary for each letter. Some scholars argue that theological differences imply different sources, and point to the lack of references to 2 Peter among the early Church Fathers.
Of the two epistles, the [[First Epistle of Peter|first epistle]] is considered the earlier. A number of scholars have argued that the textual discrepancies with what would be expected of the biblical Peter are due to it having been written with the help of a secretary or as an [[amanuensis]]. Indeed in the first epistle the use of a secretary is clearly described: "By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand" (1 Peter 5:12). Thus, in regards to at least the first epistle, the claims that Peter would have written Greek poorly seem irrelevant. The references to [[persecution of Christians]], which only began under [[Nero]], cause most scholars to date the text to at least [[80]], which would require Peter to have survived to an age that was, at that time, extremely old, and almost never reached, particularly by common fishermen. However, the Roman historian [[Tacitus]] and the biographer [[Suetonius]] both record that Nero's persecution of Christians began immediately after the fire that burned Rome in 64. Such a date, which is in accord with Christian tradition, especially Eusebius (''History'' book 2, 24.1), would not have Peter at an improbable age upon his death. On the other hand, many scholars consider this in reference to the persecution of Christians in Asia Minor during the reign of the emperor [[Domitian]] ([[81]]-[[96]]).
In the salutation of the first epistle, the writer refers to the diaspora, which did not occur until 136 a.d. "1. Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2. who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance."
The [[Second Epistle of Peter]], on the other hand, appears to have been copied, in part, from the [[Epistle of Jude]], and some modern scholars date its composition as late as ''c.'' [[150]]. Some scholars argue the opposite, that the Epistle of Jude copied 2 Peter, while others contend an early date for Jude and thus observe that an early date is not incompatible with the text. Many scholars have noted the similarities between the [[apocrypha]]l second pseudo-[[Epistles of Clement|Epistle of Clement]] (2nd century) and 2 Peter. Second Peter may be earlier than 150, there are a few possible references to it that date back to the first century or early second century, e.g. [[1 Clement]] written in ''c'' 96 AD, and the later church historian [[Eusebius]] claimed that [[Origen]] had made reference to the epistle before 250. Even in early times there was controversy over its authorship, and 2 Peter was often not included in the [[Biblical Canon]]; it was only in the 4th century that it gained a firm foothold in the New Testament, in a series of synods. In the east the [[Syrian Orthodox Church|Syriac Church]] still did not admit it into the canon until the 6th century.
Traditionally, the [[Gospel of Mark]] was said to have been written by a person named ''John Mark'', and that this person was an assistant to Peter, hence its content was traditionally seen as the closest to Peter's viewpoint. According to [[Eusebius]]'s ''Ecclesiastical History'', [[Papias]] recorded this belief from [[John the Presbyter]]:
:''Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him. But afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter, who accommodated his instructions to the necessities [of his hearers], but with no intention of giving a normal or chronological narrative of the Lord's sayings. Wherefore Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things as he remembered them. For of one thing he took especial care, not to omit anything he had heard, and not to put anything fictional into the statements''.—Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 3.39.14–16
Also Irenaeus wrote about this tradition:
:''After their (Peter and Paul's) passing, Mark also, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, transmitted to us in writing the things preached by Peter.'' (Irenaeus, ''Against Heresies'', III. 1.2.; quoted by Eusebius in ''Ecclesiastical History'', book 5, 7.6)
Based on these quotes, and on the Christian tradition, the information in Mark's Gospel about St. Peter would be based on eyewitness material. It should be
observed, however, that some scholars (for differing reasons) dispute the attribution of the Gospel of Mark to its traditional author. The gospel itself is [[Anonymous work|anonymous]], and the above passages are the oldest surviving written testimony to its authorship.
===Pseudepigrapha and apocrypha===
There are also a number of other [[apocrypha]]l writings that have been either attributed to or written about St. Peter. They were from antiquity regarded as [[pseudepigrapha]].{{Fact|date=June 2008}} These include:
*[[Gospel of Peter]], a [[docetism|Docetic]] narrative that has survived in part
*[[Acts of Peter]]
*[[Acts of Peter and Andrew]]
*[[Acts of Peter and Paul]]
*[[Acts of Peter and the Twelve]]
*[[Gnostic Apocalypse of Peter]]
*A [[Letter of Peter to Philip]], which was preserved in the [[Nag Hammadi library]]
*[[Apocalypse of Peter]], which was considered as genuine by many Christians as late as the fourth century
*The Epistula Petri, the introductory letter ascribed to St Peter that appears at the beginning of at least one version of the [[Clementine literature]]
==Popular culture==
Over the years "St. Peter" has evolved into a [[stock character]] that is now widely used in [[joke]]s, [[cartoon]]s, [[comedy|comedies]], [[drama]]s, and [[Play (theatre)|plays]]. Such caricatures almost all play upon Peter's role as the "keeper of the keys of the [[kingdom of heaven]]" in Matthew 16:19 [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2016:18–16:19&version=9], on the basis of which he is often depicted as an elderly, bearded man who sits at the [[pearly gates]] that serve as heaven's main entrance, and acting as a sort of hotel-style [[doorman]] / [[bouncer]] who personally interviews prospective entrants into Heaven, often from behind a desk.
==Patronage==<!-- This section is linked from [[Saint Peter]] -->
In Roman Catholic religious doctrine and tradition, Saint Peter is the [[patron saint]] of the following categories
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=3|Workers
|-
|valign="top"|
*[[Baker]]s
*[[Engineering|Bridge builders]]
*[[Butcher]]s
*[[Fisherman|Fishermen]]
*[[Harvest]]ers
|valign="top"|
*[[Cordwainer]]s
*[[Horology|Horologists]]
*[[Locksmith]]s
*[[Cobblers]]
|valign="top"|
*[[Masonry|Masons]]
*[[Net (device)|Net]] makers
*the [[Papacy]]
*[[Shipwright]]s
|-
!colspan=3|Called for aid in
|-
|valign="top"|
*Frenzy
*Foot problems
|valign="top"|
*[[Fever]]
|valign="top"|
*[[Longevity]]
|-
!colspan=3|Institutions
|-
|valign="top"|
*[[Bath Abbey]]
*[[Berchtesgaden Abbey]]
|valign="top"|
*[[Exeter College, Oxford]]
*[[Christian Universalism|Universal Church]]
|valign="top"|
*[[Peterhouse, Cambridge]]
*[[St Peter's College, Oxford]]
|-
!colspan=3|Locations
|-
|valign="top"|
*[[Birżebbuġa]]
*[[Bremen (city)|Bremen]]
*[[Worms, Germany|Worms]]
*[[Calatrava, Negros Occidental|Calatrava]]
*[[Chartres]]
*[[Chimbote]]
*[[Calbayog City]]
*[[Cologne]]
*[[Davao]]
*[[Dunajská Streda]]
*[[Jackson, Mississippi|Jackson]]
*[[Köpenick]]
|valign="top"|
*[[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]]
*[[Leuven]]
*[[Leiden]]
*[[Lessines]]
*[[Maralal]]
*[[Marquette, Michigan|Marquette]]
*[[Moissac]]
*[[Naumburg]]
*[[Obermarsberg]]
*[[Philadelphia]]
*[[Poznań]]
|valign="top"|
*[[Providence, Rhode Island|Providence]]
*[[Pubnico, Nova Scotia]]
*[[Regensburg]]
*[[Rome]]
*[[Póvoa de Varzim]]
*[[Saint Petersburg]]
*[[Scranton, Pennsylvania|Scranton]]
*[[Holsbeek|Sint-Pieters-Rode]]
*[[Tielt]]
*[[Toa Baja]]
*[[Umbria, Italy|Umbria]]
|}
== Notes ==
<div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;">
<references />
</div>
==See also==
{{commonscat|Petrus}}
*[[St. Peter's Basilica|St Peter's Basilica]]
*[[St Peter's Square]]
*''[[The Big Fisherman]]''
*[[San Pietro in Vincoli]]
*[[Saint Peter's tomb]]
*[[Saint Peter (disambiguation)]]
*[[Quo Vadis]]
==External links==
*[http://www.stpetersbasilica.org/tours.htm stpetersbasilica.org] Books on Peter in Rome
*[http://sol.sci.uop.edu/~jfalward/Cephas.htm Etymology of Peter]
*[http://wikinoah.org/index.php/Simon_Kefa_%28Peter%29_bar_Jonah The Jewish St Peter]
*[http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=790&letter=S&search=Simon%20Peter Jewish Encyclopedia: Simon Cephas]
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: St Peter, Prince of the Apostles]
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11752a.htm Catholic Encyclopedia: Epistles of St Peter]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=100202 Veneration of the Precious Chains of the Holy and All-Glorious Apostle Peter] Orthodox [[icon]] and [[synaxarion]]
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101841 The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter] icon and synaxarion
*[http://ocafs.oca.org/FeastSaintsViewer.asp?SID=4&ID=1&FSID=101840 The Holy Glorious and All-Praised Leader of the Apostles, Peter & Paul] sermon of Saint Augustine, Bishop of Hippo
*[http://www.catholic.com/library/was_peter_in_rome.asp Catholic response to Protestant claims that Peter never visited Rome]
{{start box}}
{{s-hou|Papal succession|Unknown}}
{{s-ecc|}}
{{succession box | before=''Newly created'' | title=[[List of Patriarchs of Antioch|Bishop of Antioch]] | years=[[37]]–[[53]] | after=[[Saint Evodius|Evodius]] }}
{{s-bef | before=Newly created}}
{{s-ttl | title=[[Image:Emblem of the Papacy.svg|35px]]</br>[[Bishop of Rome]] [[Pope]] | years=30–64}}
{{s-aft | after=[[Pope Linus]]}}
{{end box}}
{{Apostles}}
{{New Testament people}}
{{Popes}}
{{Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch}}
<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
{{Persondata
|NAME = Saint Peter
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = One of the Twelve Apostles, bishop
|DATE OF BIRTH = unknown
|PLACE OF BIRTH = Bethsaida
|DATE OF DEATH = ~67
|PLACE OF DEATH = Rome
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Peter}}
[[Category:1st century bishops]]
[[Category:67 deaths]]
[[Category:Christian martyrs of the Roman era]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodox saints]]
[[Category:Papal saints]]
[[Category:Patriarchs of Antioch]]
[[Category:People executed by crucifixion]]
[[Category:Saints from the Holy Land]]
[[Category:Syrian popes]]
[[Category:Twelve apostles]]
[[Category:Apostle Peter]]
[[Category:Jewish Christians]]
{{Link FA|de}}
[[af:Petrus]]
[[ar:بطرس]]
[[ast:Apóstol San Pedru]]
[[az:Həvari Pyotr]]
[[be:Пётр, апостал]]
[[be-x-old:Пётра (папа рымскі)]]
[[bs:Petar (Apostol)]]
[[br:Pêr (abostol)]]
[[bg:Петър (апостол)]]
[[ca:Sant Pere]]
[[ceb:San Pedro]]
[[cs:Petr (apoštol)]]
[[cy:Sant Pedr]]
[[da:Apostlen Peter]]
[[de:Simon Petrus]]
[[et:Peetrus]]
[[el:Απόστολος Πέτρος]]
[[es:Simón Pedro]]
[[eo:Sankta Petro]]
[[eu:San Petri]]
[[fr:Pierre (apôtre)]]
[[fy:Petrus]]
[[ga:Naomh Peadar]]
[[gl:Pedro, papa]]
[[ko:페트루스]]
[[hr:Sveti Petar]]
[[bpy:সাও পেড্রো]]
[[id:Simon Petrus]]
[[is:Pétur postuli]]
[[it:Pietro apostolo]]
[[he:פטרוס]]
[[jv:Santo Petrus]]
[[ka:წმინდა პეტრე]]
[[sw:Petro Mtakatifu]]
[[la:Petrus]]
[[lt:Apaštalas Petras]]
[[li:Petrus]]
[[hu:Szent Péter]]
[[mk:Апостол Петар]]
[[ml:പത്രോസ് ശ്ലീഹാ]]
[[nl:Petrus]]
[[ja:ペトロ]]
[[no:Apostelen Peter]]
[[nn:Apostelen Peter]]
[[pl:Piotr Apostoł]]
[[pt:São Pedro]]
[[ro:Petru (apostol)]]
[[qu:Simun Pidru]]
[[ru:Апостол Пётр]]
[[sco:Saunt Peter]]
[[sq:Shën Pjetri]]
[[simple:Saint Peter]]
[[sk:Peter (apoštol)]]
[[sl:Sveti Peter]]
[[sr:Свети апостол Петар]]
[[sh:Sveti Petar]]
[[fi:Pietari (apostoli)]]
[[sv:Petrus]]
[[tl:Simón Pedro]]
[[ta:புனித பேதுரு]]
[[th:นักบุญปีเตอร์]]
[[tr:Petrus]]
[[uk:Петро (апостол)]]
[[ur:پطرس]]
[[vec:San Piero]]
[[zh:聖彼得]]