Page:Catholic Encyclopedia, volume 11.djvu/813

 PETER

745

PETER

Alexandria (Stromata, III, vi, ed. Dindorf, II, 276), liad children. The same writer relates the tradition that Peter's wife sufTered martyrdom (ibid., VII, xi, I'd. cit.. Ill, 306). Concerning these facts, adopted by Eusebius (Hist. Eccl., Ill, xxxi) from Clement, the ancient Christian literature which has come down to us is silent. Siinon pursued in Capharnaum the profitable occupation of fisherman in Lake Genesareth, possessing his own boat (Luke, v, 3). Like so many of his Jewish contemporaries, he was attracted by the Baptist's preaching of penance and was, with his brother Andrew, among John's associates in Bethania on the eastern bank of the Jordan. When, after the High Council had sent envoys for the seconrl time to the Baptist, the latter pointed to Jesus who was pa.ss- ing, saying, "Behold the Lamb of Cod", .Andrew and another disciple followed the Saviour to his residence and remained with Him one day.

Later, meeting his brother Simon, Andrew said "We have found the Messias", and brought him to Jesus, who, looking upon him, said: "Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cejihas, which is interpreted Peter". Already, at this first meet- ing, the Saviour foretold the change of Simon's name to Cephas (K7)0aj; Aramaic Kipha, rock), which is translated nirpos (Lat., Petrus) a proof that Christ had akeady spe-ial views with regard to Simon. Later, probably at the time of his definitive call to the Apostolate with the eleven other .Xpnstlcs, .Insus actually gave Simon the name of ('iiili;:> /'.;,//,!. after whi 'h he was usually called Petci'. ( •■|>ici:ill\ l,\ Christ on the solemn occasion after Pi'trr's ihoIc-muu of faith (Matt., xvi, 18; cf. below). 'I'he ICvanndi-ts often combine the two names, while St. P:iul use- the name Cephas. After the first meeting Peter wuh I he other early disciples remained with Jesus for some time, accompanying Him to Galilee (Man-iage :H Cana), Judjea, and Jerusalem, and through Saiiiaiia back to Galilee (John, ii-iv). Here Peter re,s\iiiic'l liis occupation of fisherman for a short time, l)iii somi received the definitive call of the Saviour to liccmnc one of His permanent disciples. Peter and .Vndnw were engaged at their calling when Jesus met and :iil- dressed them: "Come ye after me, and I will m:il^r you to be fi.shers of men". On the same occasion i lii sons of Zebedee were called (Matt., iv, lS-22: M;ul, i, 16-20; Luke, v, 1-11; it is here assumed that Liik refers to the same occasion as the other Evangelist- Thenceforth Peter remained always in the immcdirii neighbourhood of Our Lord. After preaching llir Sermon on the Mount and curing the son of the cen- turion in Capharnaum, Jesus came to Peter's house and cured his wife's mother, wlio was sick of a fever (Matt., viii, 14-15; Mark, i, 29-31). A little later Christ chose His "Twelve Apostles as His constant associates in preaching the Kingdom of God.

Among the Twelve Peter soon became conspicuous. Though of in-esolute character, he clings with the greatest fidelity, fii-mness of faith, and inward love to the Saviour; rash alike in word and act, he is full of zeal and enthusiasm, though momentarily easily ac- cessible to external influences and intimidated by difficulties. The more prominent the Apostles become in the EvangeUcal narrative, the more conspicuous does Peter appear as the first among them. In the list of the Twelve on the occasion of their solemn call to the .\postolate, not only docs Peter stand always at their head, but the svirname Petrvs given him by Christ is especially emphasized (Matt., x, 2): "Duo- decim autem Apostolorum nomina ha;c: Primus Simon qui dicitur Petrus . . ."; Mark, iii, 14-16: "Et fecit ut essent duodecim cum illo, et ut mitteret eos praidicare . . . et imposuit Simoni nomen Petrus"; Luke, vi, 13-14: "Et cum dies factus esset, vocavit discipulos suos, et elegit duodecim ex ipsis (quos et Apostolos nominavit ) : Simonem, quem cognominavit Petrum ..." On various occasions Vetcr .speaks in

the name of the other Apostles (Matt., x-v, 15; xix, 27; Luke, xii, 41, etc.). When Christ's words are addressed to all the Apostles, Peter answers in their name (e. g.. Matt., xvi, 16). Frequently the Saviour turns specially to Peter (Matt., xxvi, 40; Luke, xxii, 31, etc.).

Vei-y characteristic is the expression of tinae fidelity to Jesus, which Peter addressed to Him in the name of the other Apostles. Christ, after He had sjjoken of the mystery of the reception of His Body and Blood (John, vi, 22 sqq.) and many of His disciples had left Him, asked the 'Twelve if they too should leave Him; Peter's answer comes immediately: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we have believed and have known, that thou art the Holy One of God" (Vulg. "thou art the Christ, the Son of God "). Christ Himself launistakably accords

in r:\-T7iRovKD (ni Cv.

UrypL ol .St. I'otcr'a, Home

Peter a special precedence and the first place among the Apostles, and designates him for such on various occasions. Peter was one of the 1 1 1 n ■! • . \ pi ist les (with James and John) who were wiili ( hnsi on certain special occasions — the raising of the ihiunhlerof Jairus from the dead (Mark, v, 37 ; Luke, viii, 51) ; the Tran.s- figuration of Christ (Matt., xvii, 1; Mark, ix, 1; Luke, ix, 28); the Agony in the Garden of Gelliscniani (Matt., x.xvi, 37; Mark, xiv, 33). On srvcml occa- sions also Christ favoured him above .ill llie ■.ihcrs; He enters Peter's boat on Lake Genes;ireili to preach to the multitude on the shore (Luke, v, 3); when He was miraculously walking upon the waters. He called Peter to come to Him across the lake (Matt., xiv, 28 sqq.); He sent him to the lake to catch the fish in whose mouth Peter found the stater to pay as tribute (Matt., xvii, 24 sqq.).

In especially solemn fashion Christ accentuated Peter's precedence among the Apostles, when, after Peter had recognized Him as the Messias, He prom- ised that he would be head of His flock. Jesus was then dweUing with His Apostles in the vicinity of (a!sarea Philip])!, engagerl on His work of salva- tion. As Christ's! uiiKiiiin-od so little in power and

glory with the rxpei.ii i,,Tis uf the .Messias, many different views conrenung lliui were current. While