Simon Peter the Fisherman

Ishak Natan
Oct 2022


Introduction
Was Simon Peter, the apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, ever in Rome during his life on Earth?
Let's examine his life as recorded in the New Testament Bible.

First Mentioned
And when Jesus was walking along the lake of Galilee, He saw two brothers, namely Simon called Peter, and Andrew, his brother. They are spreading nets in the lake, because they are fishermen. Mt 4:18

Andrew Introduces His Brother To Jesus
35 Again the next day John stood, and two of his disciples; 36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he said, Behold the Lamb of God! 37 And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. 38 Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and said unto them, What seek you? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher,) where do you dwell? 39 He said unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. 40 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said unto him, We have found the Messiah, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. 42 And he [Andrew] brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jonah: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. Joh 1:35-42

Jesus Called Four Fishermen
18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he said unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they immediately left their nets, and followed him. 21 And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the ship and their father, and followed him. Mt 4:18-22

Peter Hasn't Yet Abandoned His Fishing Business
1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, 2 And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. 3 And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and asked him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. 4 Now when he had ceased speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch. 5 And Simon answering said unto him, Teacher, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. 6 And when they had done this, they enclosed a great multitude of fish: and their net broke. 7 And they beckoned unto their partners, who were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. 9 For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of the fish which they had taken: 10 And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from now on you shall catch men. 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him. Lu 5:1-11

The Jews Seek Jesus Out of Stomach Being Full
24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took boats, and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. 25 And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when did you come here? 26 Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, You seek me, not because you saw the miracles, but because you did eat of the loaves, and were filled. 27 Labor not for the food which perishes, but for that food which endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for on him has God the Father set his seal. Joh 6:24-27

The Jews Failed to Understand Jesus' Words
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? 29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent. 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign do you show then, that we may see, and believe you? what do you work? 31 Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat. 32 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven, and gives life unto the world. 34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. 35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That you also have seen me, and believe not. Joh 6:28-36

Simon Peter & His Group Stay Put
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. 60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is a hard saying; who can hear it? 61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Does this offend you? 62 What if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? 63 It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who would betray him. 65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? you have the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that you are that Christ, the Son of the living God. 70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? 71 He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon: for he it was that would betray him, being one of the twelve. Joh 6:59-71

Simon Peter's Response to Jesus' Inquiry
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that you are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 He said unto them, But whom say you that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto you, That you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Mt 16:13-18

Note: There are two verses about 'upon this rock'. It refers to Jesus himself not on Peter as the words that came out from the mouth of Simon Barjona.

The Main Purpose of Jesus Came
From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Mt 16:21

Why Jesus as the second man of the last Adam 'must' be killed click here

Simon Peter rebuked Jesus and was rebuked back
22 But Peter pulled Jesus aside and rebuked Him, saying, "Lord, may God take this away! It will never happen to you." 23 Then Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me, for you do not think about what God thinks, but what people think." Mt 16:21-23

Peter Examines Empty Grave And Still Dumb


6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spoke unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the tomb, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, who told these things unto the apostles. 11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. 12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the tomb; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which had come to pass. Lu 24:6-12

Simon Peter Returns to Old Profession
1 After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and in this way showed he himself. 2 There were together Simon Peter, and Thomas called Didymus, and Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two other of his disciples. 3 Simon Peter said unto them, I am going fishing. They said unto him, We also will go with you. They went forth, and entered into a ship immediately; and that night they caught nothing. 4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus. 5 Then Jesus said unto them, Children, have you any fish? They answered him, No. 6 And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and you shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fish. 7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girded his fisher's coat unto him, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. Joh 21:1-7

Three Times Jesus Restored Peter To Fish Men
15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Joh 21:15-17

Peter Was Told of His Death
18 Truly I say to you, when you were young you tied your loins and walked wherever you wished, but when you grew old you would stretch out your hands and someone else would tie you up and take you where you did not want to." 19 And this he said to reveal how Peter would die and glorify God. After saying this he said to Peter, "Follow me." John 21:18-19
13 I consider it my duty to keep reminding you of these things as long as I have not put off this tabernacle of my body. 14 For I know that I will soon put off this tabernacle of my body, as our Lord Jesus Christ has told me. 2Pe 1:13-14

Peter's Grave in Jerusalem
http://www.sevenstarhand.org/Shimon_bar_Jonah/
https://www.excatholic.net/petertomb.html
https://jamestabor.com/was-simon-peter-buried-in-jerusalem/

According to church tradition, the apostle Simon Peter died by crucifixion upside down.
But it is very likely that Peter was killed with a sword like James;
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to persecute certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) Ac 12:1-3
Perhaps fulfilling Jesus' word;
51 And, behold, one of them [Peter] which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. 52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. 53 Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? Mt 26:51-54

Pros and Cons of Peter's Tomb
https://www.romewise.com/st-peters-tomb.html
https://www.gnosticdoctrine.com/2019/01/did-apostle-peter-ever-visit-rome.html
https://earlychurchhistory.org/communication/st-peters-tomb-discovered/
http://christianbeliefs.org/articles/peter&rome.html
https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/the-apostle-peter-in-rome/
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/catholicreformation/peter-buried-in-jerusalem-not-rome-t2725-s10.html
http://lonelypilgrim.com/2013/11/25/on-the-so-called-jerusalem-tomb-of-st-peter/

Conclusion
There is no clear biblical evidence that Peter was ever in Rome. The first letter of Peter stated;
13 Greetings to you all from your chosen friend who is in Babylon, and also from Markus, my son. 14 Greet one another with a holy kiss. Peace be with you all who are in Christ. Amen. 1Pe 5:13-14
Many Bible scholars cannot be sure whether this refers to real Babylon or Rome with Babylon as a pseudonym at the time. The church in Rome was already growing when Paul wrote his letter to the church in Rome around the year 57. He greeted about 27 people in Rome by name, but none of the name of Simon Peter.
Later around the year 60-62 there was also no mention of Peter in Rome during the two years Paul stayed there in the book of Acts chapter 28 written by Luke.

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https://freerepublic.com/focus/religion/1027410/posts


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