Bible Strands
John 1:42
Andrew brought him to Jesus, who looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus immediately after announcing the Messiah. Jesus fixes his gaze on Simon and speaks directly to him before the narrative shifts to Galilee.
The words — ἤγαγεν (ēgagen) = He led and ἐμβλέψας (emblepsas) = having looked at describe the physical movement and direct personal attention Jesus gives to Simon.
The thread — The new name Cephas appears in 1 Corinthians 15:5 regarding a resurrection appearance and in 1 Corinthians 3:22 alongside other apostolic figures.
Why it lands — The text records a direct renaming that establishes Simon’s new identity before Jesus issues a call to follow. Readers must recognize the authority behind the name change and the expectation to bring others to Jesus.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- John 21:15 When they had finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love Me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he answered, “You know I love You.” Jesus replied, “Feed My lambs.”
- 1 Corinthians 3:22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,
- 1 Corinthians 15:5 and that He appeared to Cephas and then to the Twelve.
- 1 Corinthians 1:12 What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
- Matthew 10:2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
- Matthew 16:17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
- 1 Corinthians 9:5 Have we no right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas?
- Galatians 2:9 And recognizing the grace that I had been given, James, Cephas, and John—those reputed to be pillars—gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.
- Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees. “Go away from me, Lord,” he said, “for I am a sinful man.”
- John 6:70 Jesus answered them, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!”