Before we consider the Apostle Peter, the preacher at Pentecost, the Pastor and leader in Jerusalem’s infant church, the earliest missionary to the Gentiles, and the author of two New Testament books, we need to see Peter the Hebrew, the blue-collar family-man, the hardworking fisherman on the Sea of Galilee.
Though we know him as Peter or Simon Peter, his daddy probably called him Simeon (2 Peter 1:1), the ancient Hebrew rendering of Simon. Simeon grew up in a Jewish home, obediently taught the Torah, and religiously obedient to its ceremonial rules. Years after Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, Peter could honestly declare, “I have never eaten anything impure and ritually unclean” (Acts 10:14). In his epistles, Peter quotes extensively from the Old Testament, demonstrating his religious upbringing and education in the Jewish synagogue.
Likely, Peter and Andrew were raised in the home of a fisherman. They were fishermen, sons of a fisherman, who was the son of a fisherman. They knew every inch of the shoreline of Galilee near their home in Capernaum. They grew up exploring its beaches, swimming, playing, skipping stones into its waters, and at an early age, experienced the long days and nights toiling in the family business. It was a good life. A hard life.
Peter had a wife, and though never mentioned in the Bible, probably children filled their home with love and laughter. His wife’s mom lived with them (Mark 1:30), helping with the chores, and likely nannying the kids. In the later years, his “believing wife” accompanied Peter on his missionary travels (1 Corinthians 9:5).
If we could go back in time and walk the streets of Capernaum, we’d find Peter to be common, ordinary. Like his neighbors, he worked hard. He loved his family. He detested the Roman imperialists and their burdensome taxation. And, he longed for the coming of the Son of David, the Messiah.
So, where does the story begin?
“As (Jesus) was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter), and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ‘Follow me,’ he told them, ‘and I will make you fish for people.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him” (Matthew 4:18–20).
What set Peter apart from his contemporaries? Nothing. Why did Jesus invite Peter to become His disciple? Grace.
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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