why was Peter's name changed?

[Assisi]

The change of Peters name was not for anyone but For Peter.. It was not meant for you and it was not meant for I.. It was between Him and Peter..

I think it's probably important for us too. I mean, it's in the Bible - God must want us to know about it.

 

[calluna]

Sorry, I don't buy the roman propaganda used to support the tyranny of popes.

Clearly in the original Greek there is two different words for peter and for the rock that Christ built His Church upon.

Even if we assume it the originals were written in Aramaic it would still stand to reason that there was purpose in using 2 different words when translated to Greek and later to English. And of course, Christ is the cornerstone of the Church and it is the confession of Him being Lord that makes us part of His Church, all living stones....and not built on pete.

There is no reason the suppose that Jesus was not quoted verbatim by Matthew. Jesus and eleven of the twelve were Galileans, who used Greek koine as lingua franca. The exception, Judas Iscariot, being the purser, must have known koine. And on this occasion, far to the north, in Caesarea Philippi, and privately, there was no great need to use Aramaic.

What no-one seems to ask is why, if Peter was really the greatest of the twelve, deserving of primacy, only one gospel records this event.

 

[prodromos]

why did Christ change his name to 'rock'?

I'm asking because God does everything for a reason.

OK Monica, what is the reason God called James and John "Sons of Thunder"?

John

 

[narnia59]

OK Monica, what is the reason God called James and John "Sons of Thunder"?

John

I'm not Monica, but my 2 cents...

If you google you can find all sorts of studies on this -- supports the idea that people understand that nothing in scripture is insignificant. Most refer to this as being an identification with what would become their zeal for God's word and Word.

This cannot be looked at in the same light as an actual name change that occurs with Abraham, Isaac and Peter. They were still known as James and John going forward.

However, it does still have significance, and that should be clear in reading the Bible. Peter is by far the most prominent, and many things occur between Jesus and Peter alone. But following that, it is clear that the trio -- Peter, James and John make up a core as well separate from the 12. They are the 3 present at the Transfiguration. They are the 3 called 'pillars of the church'. They are the 3 present with Jesus in the garden of Gethsamane. However, you will notice that when Jesus finds them all asleep -- who does he hold accountable for that? Peter.

So there is undoubtedly a hierarchy established among the apostles. Peter, the only one who assumes a new name -- Rock. The one Jesus says to that "upon this rock I will build my church". The only one commissioned by Jesus in the role of shepherd (feed my sheep, tend my sheep). The one Jesus appeared to first, and alone after the resurrection. The one Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

And then along with Peter are James and John who are separated from the rest and are the pillars of the church.

 

[calluna]

And then along with Peter are James and John who are separated from the rest and are the pillars of the church.

What a travesty.

 

[MamaZ]

I'm not Monica, but my 2 cents...

If you google you can find all sorts of studies on this -- supports the idea that people understand that nothing in scripture is insignificant. Most refer to this as being an identification with what would become their zeal for God's word and Word.

This cannot be looked at in the same light as an actual name change that occurs with Abraham, Isaac and Peter. They were still known as James and John going forward.

However, it does still have significance, and that should be clear in reading the Bible. Peter is by far the most prominent, and many things occur between Jesus and Peter alone. But following that, it is clear that the trio -- Peter, James and John make up a core as well separate from the 12. They are the 3 present at the Transfiguration. They are the 3 called 'pillars of the church'. They are the 3 present with Jesus in the garden of Gethsamane. However, you will notice that when Jesus finds them all asleep -- who does he hold accountable for that? Peter.

So there is undoubtedly a hierarchy established among the apostles. Peter, the only one who assumes a new name -- Rock. The one Jesus says to that "upon this rock I will build my church". The only one commissioned by Jesus in the role of shepherd (feed my sheep, tend my sheep). The one Jesus appeared to first, and alone after the resurrection. The one Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

And then along with Peter are James and John who are separated from the rest and are the pillars of the church.

Yes there are three present with Jesus in the transfiguration. Look at who was there.. The Prophets and the Law. Now where does Jesus hold Peter responsible for them sleeping? The teachings are the pillar of the Church not the men..

 

[prodromos]

This cannot be looked at in the same light as an actual name change that occurs with Abraham, Isaac and Peter. They were still known as James and John going forward.

As was Simon...

John 21:15-17
15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs. 16 He says to him again a second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Shepherd my sheep. 17 He says to him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, art thou attached to me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Art thou attached to me? and said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep.​

Since nothing Jesus did was without significance, why do you think Christ now calls him Simon again? What happened to "thou art Peter." Do you think it is significant that the last conversation the bible records between Christ and the brother of Andrew, He now calls him Simon?

John

 

[narnia59]

Yes there are three present with Jesus in the transfiguration. Look at who was there.. The Prophets and the Law. Now where does Jesus hold Peter responsible for them sleeping? The teachings are the pillar of the Church not the men..

Ga 2:9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

Do you not believe the Holy Spirit was capable of inspiring the text to read "those whose teachings were reputed to be pillars" if that's what he meant? Or "You are Peter and upon the rock of your faith I will build my church", IF that was what he meant? When one has to "add to" the words in order to get to the "real" meaning, it seems to me either:

1) the Holy Spirit was not capable of providing inspired writing
2) they don't want to accept what the Holy Spirit said.

Matthew 26:40 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.

Mark 14:37 37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour?

 

[narnia59]

As was Simon...

John 21:15-17
15 When therefore they had dined, Jesus says to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Feed my lambs. 16 He says to him again a second time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? He says to him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. He says to him, Shepherd my sheep. 17 He says to him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, art thou attached to me? Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Art thou attached to me? and said to him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I am attached to thee. Jesus says to him, Feed my sheep.
​

Since nothing Jesus did was without significance, why do you think Christ now calls him Simon again? What happened to "thou art Peter." Do you think it is significant that the last conversation the bible records between Christ and the brother of Andrew, He now calls him Simon?

John

I think that there is indeed significance in the difference when Jesus calls him Simon vs. Peter. Simon tends to show up when he isn't being very 'rock-like'. In this exchange after the resurrection, there are at least two things happening here (which is common in scripture). One is the obvious reference to 'tending sheep'. Jesus had referred to himself as the 'good shepherd' and used that analogy many times. The giving to Peter alone this role -- the command to 'tend my sheep' is obvious.

The other thing that's occurring here is Jesus is giving Peter an opportunity to confirm his faithfullness to the Lord three times. In calling him Simon and repeating the question "Do you love me" three times, Jesus is reminding him of his behavior during Christ's passion where he betrayed him three times, and his behavior wasn't very "rock" like. It is the opportunity for Peter to be reconciled which Christ following his absence at the crucifixion, and affirmed in his unique relationship with Christ and position among the apostles.

 

[MamaZ]

Does that mean He held Peter responsible for the other? Or was it that He just asked Peter? Did Peter answer Him? Every word that Jesus said to Peter does not make Him any more significant than Paul or James or any other Apostle.
Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
Eph 2:15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
Eph 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Eph 2:17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR;
Eph 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,
Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
Eph 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
Eph 2:22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

 

[MamaZ]

Lets look at the before and the after of the Galatians scripture you gave.
Gal 2:7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised
Gal 2:8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles),
Gal 2:9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Gal 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.
Gal 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

 

[narnia59]

I would add to my above John that when Jesus changed his name he said "You will be called Peter" indicating future. Most of the time Jesus still refers to him as Simon. It is probably more significant to look at the times when Jesus actually says "Peter". And the fact that throughout scriptures the writers refer to him as "Peter" and after the ascension it becomes the primary way he is addressed.

 

[MamaZ]

Act 2:41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
Act 2:42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Act 2:43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles.
Act 2:44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
Act 2:45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need.
Act 2:46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart,
Act 2:47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.

 

[MamaZ]

In 1 Corinthians 3:11 Paul says, "No man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (NASB). That complements what he wrote in Ephesians 2:20: the apostles and prophets were chosen to be foundation stones because they confessed Christ to be the true foundation. They were intimately attached and inseparably linked to Christ and His Word. Saying the church is built on the foundation of the apostles is the same as saying that it's built on Christ. And today Christ is still building His church on people, who like apostles, embrace Christ as Lord.

 

[narnia59]

Does that mean He held Peter responsible for the other? Or was it that He just asked Peter? Did Peter answer Him? Every word that Jesus said to Peter does not make Him any more significant than Paul or James or any other Apostle.
Eph 2:14 For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,
Eph 2:15 by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace,
Eph 2:16 and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
Eph 2:17 AND HE CAME AND PREACHED PEACE TO YOU WHO WERE FAR AWAY, AND PEACE TO THOSE WHO WERE NEAR;
Eph 2:18 for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.
Eph 2:19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household,
Eph 2:20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone,
Eph 2:21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord,
Eph 2:22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

He just happened to ask Peter? Over and over and over again Peter is singled out by coincidence? He just happened to appear to Peter first and alone before the other 12 after the resurrection? He just happened to change only Peter's name? He just happened to choose to pay Peter and his taxes from the same coin? He just happened to give only Peter the keys to the kingdom? He just happened to pray only for Peter at the last supper that when he 'came back' he would strengthen his brothers? He just happened to tell Peter alone to tend his sheep? All of these things just happened?

So why didn't anything just 'happen' to any of the others individually?

 

[narnia59]

Lets look at the before and the after of the Galatians scripture you gave.
Gal 2:7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised
Gal 2:8 (for He who effectually worked for Peter in his apostleship to the circumcised effectually worked for me also to the Gentiles),
Gal 2:9 and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Gal 2:10 They only asked us to remember the poor--the very thing I also was eager to do.
Gal 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned.

11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs?

Edited to add because I accidentally hit enter....

A perfect lesson in the difference between heresy and scandal. Peter was not teaching or proclaiming any false doctrine. His behavior however, was causing scandal. Perfectly appropriate for Paul in his role to call him on it. Has nothing to do with the correctness of Peter's teachings.

 

[MamaZ]

Nope but does that make Peter above any of the other apotles? Nope. Does that make Peter the Petras as to what Jesus built His Church on? Nope. So does the change of Peters be if signifance to us as the Body of Christ? nope.. But It sure was significant to Peter.

 

[narnia59]

Nope but does that make Peter above any of the other apotles? Nope. Does that make Peter the Petras as to what Jesus built His Church on? Nope. So does the change of Peters be if signifance to us as the Body of Christ? nope.. But It sure was significant to Peter.

The lesson you are promoting here is that scripture can be separated into two categories -- that which is significant to us today, and that which is not.

Is this the only thing that happens to fall into your category of "not of any importance for us today"?

 

[MamaZ]

Actually what I am teaching is that Jesus called Peter like He did for Peters benefit and not that of the church.. Peter was the Apostle sent to the circumcised.. Paul was sent to the gentiles. We see also that Paul was Saul..What significance does this have?

 

[MamaZ]

What Peter taught and What Paul taught are the same..Just to different groups. What they taught was truth. That is what is the foundation of the Church.. The truth. That Jesus is the Christ and that by believing in Him you pass from Death to Life..