Peter

Peter's Story

Follow his life from the fishing boats of Galilee to the church in Jerusalem and beyond. Read each event in Scripture, and see how it all fits together.

Tap any event to read it in Scripture, compare the accounts, and move through the story.

The Gospels tell Peter's years with Jesus in a similar order, though they sometimes differ in the order of events. Acts tells his leadership of the church, and Galatians and his letters add a little more. The Bible gives few dates. Where the details differ, the event says so.

Part 1 of 7

The Fisherman Called

Simon, a fisherman from Galilee, meets Jesus, leaves his nets and is named Peter.

  1. A painting of Andrew bringing his brother Simon to Jesus
    1. John 1:40–42Andrew Brings Simon to Jesus
  2. A painting of Simon kneeling before Jesus in a boat full of fish
    2. Luke 5:1–11The Great Catch of FishThe Sea of Galilee
  3. A painting of Jesus calling Simon and Andrew from their nets
    3. Mark 1:16–18 · 2 accounts“Follow Me”The Sea of Galilee
  4. A painting of Jesus raising Peter's mother-in-law from her sickbed
    4. Mark 1:29–31 · 3 accountsJesus Heals Peter's Mother-in-LawCapernaum
  5. A painting of Jesus choosing the twelve apostles on a mountainside
    5. Mark 3:13–19 · 2 accountsChosen as an Apostle

Part 2 of 7

Following Jesus

Peter walks on the water, says Jesus is the Christ, and sees him transfigured.

  1. A painting of Jesus raising Jairus' daughter as Peter, James and John look on
    6. Mark 5:35–43 · 3 accountsJairus' Daughter
  2. A painting of Jesus catching Peter's hand as he sinks in the sea
    7. Matthew 14:22–33Peter Walks on the WaterThe Sea of Galilee
  3. A painting of Peter answering Jesus as other followers walk away
    8. John 6:66–69“To Whom Would We Go?”Capernaum
  4. A painting of Peter telling Jesus he is the Christ
    9. Matthew 16:13–20 · 3 accounts“You Are the Christ”Caesarea Philippi
  5. A painting of Jesus rebuking Peter
    10. Matthew 16:21–23 · 2 accounts“Get Behind Me, Satan”
  6. A painting of Jesus transfigured with Moses and Elijah, as Peter, James and John look on
    11. Matthew 17:1–8 · 3 accountsOn the Mountain with JesusA high mountain
  7. A painting of Jesus speaking with Peter about the temple tax
    12. Matthew 17:24–27The Coin in the FishCapernaum
  8. A painting of Peter asking Jesus how many times to forgive
    13. Matthew 18:21–35“How Many Times Shall I Forgive?”

Part 3 of 7

The Last Night

Peter promises to die with Jesus, falls asleep in the garden, and denies him three times.

  1. A painting of Peter and John following a man with a water jug
    14. Luke 22:7–13 · 3 accountsPreparing the PassoverAn upper room in Jerusalem
  2. A painting of Jesus washing Peter's feet
    15. John 13:1–11Jesus Washes Peter's Feet
  3. A painting of Jesus telling Peter he will deny him
    16. Luke 22:31–34 · 4 accounts“You Will Deny Me Three Times”
  4. A painting of Jesus finding Peter, James and John asleep in Gethsemane
    17. Mark 14:32–42 · 3 accountsAsleep in GethsemaneGethsemane
  5. A painting of Jesus stopping Peter's sword and healing Malchus
    18. John 18:10–11 · 4 accountsThe Sword in the GardenGethsemane
  6. A painting of Peter in the high priest's courtyard as Jesus looks at him
    19. Luke 22:54–62 · 4 accountsPeter Denies Jesus

Part 4 of 7

The Risen Lord

Peter runs to the empty tomb, and the risen Jesus gives him work to do.

  1. A painting of Peter at the empty tomb, seeing the linen cloths
    20. John 20:1–10 · 2 accountsRunning to the Tomb
  2. A painting of Peter coming ashore to the risen Jesus by a charcoal fire
    21. John 21:1–14Breakfast by the SeaThe Sea of Galilee
  3. A painting of Jesus asking Peter if he loves him
    22. John 21:15–19“Do You Love Me?”The Sea of Galilee

Part 5 of 7

Leader in Jerusalem

Peter preaches at Pentecost, heals in Jesus' name, and stands firm before the council.

  1. A painting of the believers choosing Matthias
    23. Acts 1:12–26Matthias Is ChosenJerusalem
  2. A painting of Peter preaching to the crowd at Pentecost
    24. Acts 2:14–41Peter Preaches at PentecostJerusalem
  3. A painting of Peter lifting the lame man at the Beautiful Gate
    25. Acts 3:1–26Healing at the Beautiful GateThe temple in Jerusalem
  4. A painting of Peter and John speaking before the council
    26. Acts 4:1–22“We Cannot Stop Speaking”Jerusalem
  5. A painting of Peter speaking to Ananias as he lays down the money
    27. Acts 5:1–11Ananias and Sapphira
  6. A painting of the sick laid in the street as Peter passes by
    28. Acts 5:12–16Peter's ShadowJerusalem
  7. A painting of an angel leading the apostles out of the jail
    29. Acts 5:17–42“We Must Obey God”Jerusalem

Part 6 of 7

The Gospel for the Gentiles

God shows Peter that the good news is for the Gentiles too.

  1. A painting of Peter refusing Simon the sorcerer's money
    30. Acts 8:14–25Simon the SorcererSamaria
  2. A painting of Aeneas rising from his mat as Peter speaks
    31. Acts 9:32–35Aeneas Is HealedLydda
  3. A painting of Peter taking the hand of Tabitha as she sits up
    32. Acts 9:36–43“Tabitha, Get Up”Joppa
  4. A painting of Peter's vision of the sheet let down from heaven
    33. Acts 10:9–16 · 2 accountsThe Vision on the RoofJoppa
  5. A painting of Peter speaking in the house of Cornelius
    34. Acts 10:17–48 · 2 accountsPeter and CorneliusCaesarea
  6. A painting of an angel freeing Peter from his chains in prison
    35. Acts 12:1–19Rescued by an Angel
  7. A painting of Peter speaking to the council in Jerusalem
    36. Acts 15:4–12Peter Speaks at the CouncilJerusalem
  8. A painting of Paul opposing Peter at Antioch
    37. Galatians 2:11–14Paul Opposes Peter at AntiochAntioch in Syria

Part 7 of 7

Peter's Letters

Peter writes to the churches as a witness of Christ's sufferings.

  1. A painting of the older Peter writing to the churches
    38. 1 Peter 5:12–13 · 4 accountsPeter Writes to the Churches