Peter, A Fisherman Named Simon

Last year for Easter, we took a look at Mary Magdalene and the role she played in the resurrection.

Simon was a fisherman, later he was renamed Peter

This year as we head into the Easter season, we are going to explore the role Peter played in Jesus ministry, crucifixion, resurrection and the early church.

But, before we start, who was Peter?

“And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.”  {Matthew 5:18-19}

• Peter was also called Simon, which is why we often here him referred to as Simon Peter. The People’s New Testament says “Simon was the name of the first until Christ changed it to Cephas, or Peter. “
• Simon Peter had a brother named Andrew.
• Simon Peter and Andrew were both fishermen.

The People’s New Testament describes Galilee as “the province of Galilee on its western side. It is about thirteen miles long and six miles wide in the widest place. The Jordan runs through it.”

“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.”  {Mark 1:16-17}

Jesus approached a group of fishermen

Mark reiterates the same thing Matthew told us.
“Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.”  {John1:44}

John tells us that Andrew and Peter were from the town of Bethsaida.  According to Wikipedia, “Bethsaida means house of hunting or fishing”.

One commentary seems to say this means where they were born {because they lived in Capernum}, while another says it means where they dwelt.  {Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary & Barnes Notes on the New Testament}.

So in closing, we have learned that Peter was from Bethsaida in Galilee, had a brother name Andrew and was a fisherman when Jesus called them to follow him.

These were men who were using to working with their hands.  Pulling in the fish could not be easy work and would have definitely have been smelly.  But Jesus saw the potential in them and called them to follow him.

So, regardless of where God has you working, He can use you.

How is God using you today?

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