Who Is Peter? Bible Characters Explained

Think of the people you went to high school with. You probably knew some high performers who went to big-name universities and ended up with a lot of influence and income. 

If Peter had gone to your high school, he wouldn’t have been in that group.

Instead, he’d be the guy who graduated and went straight to work doing an honest, needed, and unglamorous job, like a truck driver, plumber, or farmer. A fine way to live, but not the kind of life that would naturally lead someone to become a globally known spiritual figure.

So what happened? How did a bold, honest, impulsive, hopeful, and sometimes way too overconfident small-town fisherman become the first leader of the church?

Let’s take a closer look.

Quick Facts About Peter

Where Is Peter’s Story?

Peter’s story appears throughout the four gospels and continues into the Book of Acts. You’ll also find him mentioned in several New Testament letters.

When Did He Live?

Peter lived in the first century AD during the same time as Jesus and the early church.

Who Was He?

Before he preached sermons or wrote letters, Peter was a fisherman from Galilee. He worked alongside his brother Andrew, likely as part of a family business.

What Is Peter Known For?

Peter is known for being one of Jesus’ closest disciples, declaring Jesus as the Messiah, walking (and sinking) on water, denying Jesus during His trial, being forgiven by Jesus, and becoming a central leader in the early church.

Who Did Peter Know?

Peter knew Jesus personally. He walked with Him daily and was part of His inner circle along with James and John. Later, he partnered with leaders such as John, James (the brother of Jesus), Paul, and Mark.

What Books of the Bible Did Peter Write?

Peter is traditionally credited with writing 1 Peter and 2 Peter, two letters encouraging Christians to stay faithful while they face hardship.

Early Christian writers taught that Mark’s gospel was heavily influenced by Peter’s account of his time with Jesus. While Peter likely didn’t dictate the Gospel of Mark word for word, people still sometimes call it “Peter’s gospel.” 

When Does Peter Show Up in the Bible?

Peter enters the story early in the gospels, back when he still went by his original name, Simon. In John 1, Andrew brings Simon to Jesus, who immediately gives him a new name: Peter, which means rock. 

From there, his story runs through the gospels and into Acts, where he preaches at Pentecost, heals the sick, and helps lead the early church.

Peter’s story happens after these moments:

• The stories of Abraham, Moses, David, and Esther
• Jesus’ birth and early life

And before these major moments:

• Paul’s missionary journeys across the Roman world
• John’s vision of Jesus’ return. 

Where Does Peter’s Story Take Place?

Peter’s story started in a region called Galilee. Galilee was a political entity distinct from Judea, the religious heart of Judaism centered in Jerusalem. Today, thousands of years later, this Galilean vs. Judean distinction might not seem like a big deal, but it really mattered in Peter’s day.

Economic Pressure

People in Galilee faced challenges that Judeans didn’t.

Galileans lived with more direct cultural pressure from Greek and Roman influence, heavier taxes under Herod Antipas, and fewer economic opportunities. That’s because the Roman elite had scooped up the land and leased it back to locals for a fee.

For example, fishing families like Peter’s often …

• Leased fishing rights
• Paid tolls to use the lake
• Sold catches to elites who controlled distribution

So even if they caught a lot of fish, much of the profit went elsewhere.

When you think of Peter’s life before Jesus, think less of a young man living off the land, and more of someone trapped by systems far beyond his control.

Spiritual Pressure

The region of Galilee sat near Gentile (non-Jewish) cities and major trade routes. This proximity caused Judeans to view Galileans as inherently compromised, less traditional, and less educated in Scripture.

And, as you can imagine, based on their isolation from Judea and exposure to different cultures, the Galileans had a distinct culture and accent. This meant that Peter couldn’t hide his background. And he likely experienced the biases and prejudices of the religious elite as soon as he opened his mouth.

Who Was Peter?

There was a cultural template for what it looked like to be a spiritual leader in this time, and Peter checked none of the boxes. That’s probably one reason Jesus chose Him—because Jesus’ whole ministry was built on God’s care, love, and calling of everyone, regardless of their background.

Peter Stepped Forward First, Even When He Wasn’t Ready

When Jesus first called Peter, he was cleaning his nets after a long night of fishing. Jesus said, “Follow Me,” and Peter actually did! With no plan or reassurance, he jumped right in.

We see this again and again in Peter’s story. Like when he and Jesus’ followers were on a boat in the middle of a storm. The disciples saw Jesus walking on the water toward them. Peter asked if he could go to Him. It didn’t make sense, but Peter’s instinct was to move toward Jesus, even when he wasn’t ready.

Peter Was Honest About His Failures

Peter’s mistakes weren’t hidden or edited out of his story. In fact, the authors seemed to go out of their way to point out Peter’s obvious flaws.

One minute, he declared Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, and the next, he attempted to correct Jesus’ theology.

Later, Peter promised he would stay faithful to Jesus no matter what, then denied knowing Jesus three times.

Basically, Peter didn’t do anything quietly. He spoke, led, taught, and failed boldly. He also boldly received Jesus’ grace after his biggest failure.

Peter Remained Faithful to the End

Church tradition says Peter eventually served the church in Rome and chose to face death with humility.

Before his execution on religious grounds, church tradition states that he asked to be crucified upside down because he didn’t see himself as worthy of dying the same way Jesus died.

And while this story isn’t in Scripture, it does seem like a very Peter thing to do.

Peter Shows Us Resilient Faith

If there’s one thing Peter’s life teaches us, it’s that Jesus doesn’t require perfection from us to start following Him. Peter stumbled, recovered, tried again, got confused, listened when corrected, and kept following Jesus even when he felt overwhelmed.

What Did Peter Do in the Bible?

Peter’s story begins with him leaving his fishing nets to follow Jesus and ends with him giving his life for the faith he once denied.

Here are some key moments from Peter’s life. 

What Are the Famous Bible Stories About Peter?

1. The Call of Peter (Matthew 4:18-20; Luke 5:1-11): Peter is cleaning his nets after fishing when Jesus calls him to follow. Peter leaves everything on the spot and begins his journey as a disciple.
2. Peter Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33): During a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus walks toward the disciples’ boat. Peter asks if he can come to Him. He steps onto the water, walks briefly, then starts sinking—and Jesus rescues him.
3. Peter Declares Jesus Is the Messiah (Matthew 16:13-20): When Jesus asks His disciples who they believe He is, Peter calls Jesus “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
4. Peter Denies Jesus (Matthew 26:69-75; Luke 22:54-62): In the courtyard during Jesus’ trial, Peter is recognized more than once as one of Jesus’ disciples. Afraid, he denies knowing Jesus three times. When he realizes what he’s done, he breaks down in grief.
5. Jesus Restores Peter (John 21:1-19): After His resurrection, Jesus prepares breakfast by the sea and restores Peter with three questions that mirror his three denials. Instead of replacing Peter, Jesus gives him a renewed calling to shepherd His people.
6. Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-41): Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preaches boldly to the crowds in Jerusalem. Thousands choose to follow Jesus that day, marking the birth of the church.
7. Peter Heals a Beggar (Acts 3:1-10): At the temple gate, Peter offers healing. A man who couldn’t walk stands up and runs with joy, drawing the attention of the whole city.
8. Peter’s Vision of the Clean and Unclean (Acts 10): Through a vision, God prepares Peter to welcome Gentiles into the family of faith. This becomes a major turning point that helps unite all believers in the early church.

Why Does Peter’s Story Matter?

Do you think a story about an ordinary person with imperfect theology doing their best to follow Jesus could speak to people today?

How about a story of someone with doubts and deeply held spiritual opinions that aren’t 100% accurate, who gets to know Jesus personally?

How about a story about a person who experienced a massive failure, but then found forgiveness through Jesus?

Paul and Peter are the two most influential figures in the early church. One is an educated and articulate theologian. The other one’s Peter—a guy whose normal life was turned upside down by one simple “yes.”

If you’ve ever felt too unimportant to make a difference, Peter’s story is for you. Peter’s story makes room for real people—flaws and all—to feel included in God’s family.

Peter’s story also helps us avoid looking down on anyone because of their background, lack of formal training, or past mistakes. 

Jesus builds His church through forgiven and transformed people, not perfect ones. His journey invites anyone who’s struggled, failed, or doubted to see how patient Jesus really is and how powerful His restoring love can be.

Reflect or Discuss

1. Where do you see yourself in Peter’s story?
2. What’s one area of your life where you need Jesus to restore what shame or fear has taken?
3. What’s one small step of faith you could take this week?