Hello dear friends,
Today, let’s take a closer look at the twelve appointed Apostles staring with the lead apostle, Simon Peter:
“And He appointed the twelve: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter),”
— Mark 3:16
First, we see Mark mentioning Simon. In all the synoptic gospels, Simon Peter is named first.
“Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew;”
— Luke 6:14“Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;”
— Matthew 10:2
This reflects the kind of influence and leadership status Peter had among the apostles. He was both a public failure and a public success. Peter denied Jesus three times, but unlike Judas, he was reconciled to Jesus and took on a leadership role among the apostles. Jesus gave direct instructions to Peter to care for His flock:
“He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of John, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’”
— John 21:17
Peter was also the one who preached the very first sermon at Pentecost during the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit:
“But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: ‘Men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give heed to my words.’”
— Acts 2:14
As part of his public successes, Jesus told Peter the manner in which he would die—serving Jesus, crucified like his Master:
“Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to gird yourself and walk wherever you wished; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will gird you and bring you where you do not wish to go.” Now this He said, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me!’”
— John 21:18-19
Church history tells us this is how Peter was martyred—crucified upside down.
Another interesting detail is how Mark introduces him: “Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter).” Simon was his Hebrew name, and he was likely from the tribe of Simeon. Upon meeting Jesus, he was given the name Peter, meaning “Rock” or “man of Rock.”
“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).”
— John 1:42
It’s noteworthy that Simon Peter is named first among the apostles despite his many flaws and failures. This is a reminder for us as believers that God’s grace and His purpose surpass our imperfect histories. As Paul later wrote to the Romans:
“Now the Law came in so that the transgression would increase, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.”
— Romans 5:20
No matter our past, as believers, we must know that God’s grace is far greater than any sin we have committed. If we humbly come to Him in repentance, He is faithful to forgive us.
I pray this serves as a reminder of the God we serve—full of mercy and grace.
May the grace of God be with you.
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