He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus doesn't just give Simon a new name; he looks at him and sees who he will become. This isn't just a nickname; it's a prophetic declaration of Peter's future firmness and foundation in faith, even before he shows those qualities.
He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
English Standard Version (ESV)
Andrew, having just encountered Jesus, immediately finds his own brother Simon and tells him they've found the Messiah. Andrew then brings Simon to Jesus, and Jesus, looking intently at him, reveals His knowledge of Simon's identity by giving him a new name, Cephas, which means "rock" or "stone." This marks a pivotal moment where Jesus foreknows and names the steadfast character He intends for Peter, even before Peter fully grasps his future role.
Jesus didn't just meet Simon; He saw the man he would become. Discover the profound impact of receiving a new name and identity from Christ.
In this moment, Jesus gives Simon a new name: Cephas, which means 'Peter' or 'rock.' This isn't just a nickname; it's a prophetic declaration. Think about how often God gives new names in Scripture – Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel. These aren't just changes of address; they signify a new calling, a new purpose, and a new identity rooted in God's plan.
Jesus sees beyond Simon's current self – perhaps impulsive, maybe even wavering. He sees the 'rock' that Simon will be, the steadfast foundation he will become for the early church. This reveals a crucial aspect of God's work in us: He calls us according to His purposes, not just our present condition.
Andrew just met Jesus, and his very first act was to find his brother. What does this tell us about the natural overflow of encountering Christ?
The passage highlights Andrew's immediate response after encountering Jesus: he sought out his own brother, Simon. This wasn't a passive encounter; it was an active sharing of the incredible news, 'We have found the Messiah!'
This demonstrates a beautiful principle: genuine encounters with Jesus naturally lead us to want others to experience Him too. Andrew, having just heard the life-changing words and seen the Master, couldn't keep this revelation to himself. He brought Simon to Jesus, initiating Simon's own transformative journey.
It’s a powerful reminder that our faith isn't meant to be a private possession but a shared joy. The first step is often bringing someone into Jesus' presence, just as Andrew did.
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Understand the original words
Kephas · Aramaic (transliterated into Greek) Noun
A name given to Simon by Jesus, meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' It denotes the stability and foundational role this disciple would play in the early church.
Petros · Greek Noun
The Greek equivalent of Cephas, meaning 'rock' or 'stone.' It highlights the transformation of Simon's character under the influence of Jesus.
Jesus renaming Simon to Peter here, before his denial and before his later, more public commissioning in Matthew 16, highlights Jesus' divine foreknowledge. Even in Simon's early, perhaps impetuous, state, Jesus saw the future steadfastness that would earn him the name 'Rock'.
c. 20-15 BC
Birth of Simon bar Jonah
Simon, who would later be called Peter, is born in Bethsaida, a Galilean town on the Sea of Galilee.
Early 1st century AD
Simon's Early Life and Calling
Simon works as a fisherman on the Sea of Galilee, likely alongside his father Jonah and his brother Andrew. He is married and lives in Capernaum.
c. AD 28
John the Baptist's Ministry Begins
John the Baptist begins his public ministry in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming a baptism of repentance.
c. AD 28
Andrew Encounters Jesus
Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptist, hears John identify Jesus as the Lamb of God and begins to follow Jesus.
c. AD 28— this verse
Andrew Brings Simon to Jesus
Andrew finds his brother Simon and tells him, 'We have found the Messiah!' He then brings Simon to Jesus.
c. AD 30
Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles
Jesus formally designates twelve men, including Peter, to be his closest followers and apostles, commissioning them to preach and heal.
c. AD 33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
Jesus is crucified and resurrected. Peter denies Jesus three times during Jesus' trial, fulfilling Jesus' prediction.
This passage is crucial as Jesus directly refers to Peter as 'Peter' (the Greek word for 'rock' or 'stone') and declares he will build his church upon this rock. John 1:42 shows the naming of Peter, linking the theological significance of his foundational role in the Church to his initial call.
Genesis 17:5Just as God changed Abram's name to Abraham to signify a new covenant and a father of many nations, Jesus changes Simon's name to Peter, signifying a new identity and a foundational role in the new covenant community.
1 Corinthians 1:12The Apostle Paul mentions divisions within the Corinthian church, with some identifying with Paul, others with Apollos, and some with Cephas (Peter). This shows Peter's prominent status and how his name (and by extension, his role) was recognized and followed early in the church's history.
Galatians 2:11Here, Paul directly confronts Peter (Cephas) for his hypocrisy regarding Gentile and Jewish believers. This demonstrates Peter's high standing, as he is the one Paul feels compelled to address directly, yet also shows that even this 'rock' was fallible and needed correction.
Luke 5:8After Peter witnesses the miraculous catch of fish, his response is 'Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!' This reveals Peter's immediate recognition of Jesus' divine power and his own unworthiness, prefiguring the humility and awe that characterized his faith, even as he was called to be a 'fisher of men'.
ellicottJohn 1:42: "And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."
(42) Beheld. —See Note on John 1:29 . A Stone.—Better, Peter, as in margin. The word means a stone, but the writer translated for Greek, not for English readers. The rule of the previous verse, which places the Greek word in the text and the English word in the margin, should be followed here. Cephas.—The word occurs only…
vincentJohn 1:42: "And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."
BeheldThe same word as in John 1:36, on which see Rev., looked upon.Thou artSome read interrogatively: art thou.Jona (Ιωνᾶ)The correct reading is Ἱωάνου, of John.A stone (Πέτρος)See on Matthew 16:18. A detached mass of rock. Cephas is the Aramaic name, occurring 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:22; 1 Corinthians 9:…
Jesus doesn't just give Simon a new name; he looks at him and sees who he will become. This isn't just a nickname; it's a prophetic declaration of Peter's future firmness and foundation in faith, even before he shows those qualities.
Andrew, having just encountered Jesus, immediately finds his own brother Simon and tells him they've found the Messiah. Andrew then brings Simon to Jesus, and Jesus, looking intently at him, reveals His knowledge of Simon's identity by giving him a new name, Cephas, which means "rock" or "stone." This marks a pivotal moment where Jesus foreknows and names the steadfast character He intends for Peter, even before Peter fully grasps his future role.
Andrew, having just encountered Jesus, immediately finds his own brother Simon and tells him they've found the Messiah. Andrew then brings Simon to Jesus, and Jesus, looking intently at him, reveals His knowledge of Simon's identity by giving him a new name, Cephas, which means "rock" or "stone." This marks a pivotal moment where Jesus foreknows and names the steadfast character He intends for Peter, even before Peter fully grasps his future role.
"He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter)." — Jesus doesn't just give Simon a new name; he looks at him and sees who he will become. This isn't just a nickname; it's a prophetic declaration of Peter's future firmness and foundation in faith, e…
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Last reviewed October 2026