Background Study of 2 Peter
Jessica Amtower
BEGE 1720 – Section 1
Fall 2010
Background Study of 2 Peter
Biography of the Author
The author of this book is identified as Peter. There are four different forms of Peter’s name in the New Testament: the Hebrew translated into Greek, “Simeon” to “Simon,” and the Aramaic translated into Greek, “Cephas” to “Petros” (meaning “rock”). His given name was Simeon bar-Jonah (Mt 16:17; cf. Jn 1:42), “Simon the son of John.” The home of Peter and Simon is said to be in Bethsaida (John 1:44). Bethsaida is placed in Galilee, making this the place where Peter was raised (John 12:21).
Peter, along with his brother Andrew, worked in the fishing business (Matthew 4:19). It is suggested that they may have been partnered with James and John (Luke 5:10). It is also likely that they intermittently continued in their business while disciples, as indicated in the fishing scene in John 21:1–8. It is said that they left their “homes”, but not in the literal sense (Luke 18:28). The disciples did leave their business of fishing to follow Christ, but they kept the tools of the trade, and returned to their business when necessary. The New Testament tells us that Peter was married. Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, who could have possibly been living with her (Mark 1:29-31). It is possible that Jesus may have dwelt in this home along with Peter and his family (Matthew 8:14). It is indicated in First Corinthians 9:5 that Peter took his wife with him on some missionary journeys.
Peter was very prominent among the disciples in the Gospels and Acts. In the lists of the Twelve just mentioned, Simon’s name always appears first, and in Matthew 10:2 it introduces his name as “the first.” The disciples are often referred to as “Peter and those with him” (Mark 1:36; Luke 9:32; 8:45). He is also very important in the fact that both Luke and Paul state that the risen Lord appeared to Simon Peter first.
The four Gospel accounts all picture Peter as very impulsive and
BEGE 1720 – Section 1
Fall 2010
Background Study of 2 Peter
Biography of the Author
The author of this book is identified as Peter. There are four different forms of Peter’s name in the New Testament: the Hebrew translated into Greek, “Simeon” to “Simon,” and the Aramaic translated into Greek, “Cephas” to “Petros” (meaning “rock”). His given name was Simeon bar-Jonah (Mt 16:17; cf. Jn 1:42), “Simon the son of John.” The home of Peter and Simon is said to be in Bethsaida (John 1:44). Bethsaida is placed in Galilee, making this the place where Peter was raised (John 12:21).
Peter, along with his brother Andrew, worked in the fishing business (Matthew 4:19). It is suggested that they may have been partnered with James and John (Luke 5:10). It is also likely that they intermittently continued in their business while disciples, as indicated in the fishing scene in John 21:1–8. It is said that they left their “homes”, but not in the literal sense (Luke 18:28). The disciples did leave their business of fishing to follow Christ, but they kept the tools of the trade, and returned to their business when necessary. The New Testament tells us that Peter was married. Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, who could have possibly been living with her (Mark 1:29-31). It is possible that Jesus may have dwelt in this home along with Peter and his family (Matthew 8:14). It is indicated in First Corinthians 9:5 that Peter took his wife with him on some missionary journeys.
Peter was very prominent among the disciples in the Gospels and Acts. In the lists of the Twelve just mentioned, Simon’s name always appears first, and in Matthew 10:2 it introduces his name as “the first.” The disciples are often referred to as “Peter and those with him” (Mark 1:36; Luke 9:32; 8:45). He is also very important in the fact that both Luke and Paul state that the risen Lord appeared to Simon Peter first.
The four Gospel accounts all picture Peter as very impulsive and
Bibliography: Carson, D. A.: New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition. 4th ed. Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA : Inter-Varsity Press, 1994 Elwell, Walter A Hughes, Robert B. ; Laney, J. Carl: Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2001 (The Tyndale Reference Library) Walvoord, John F Willmington, H. L.: Willmington 's Bible Handbook. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 1997 -------------------------------------------- [ 1 ]. Elwell, Walter A. ; Comfort, Philip Wesley: Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2001 (Tyndale Reference Library), S. 1021 [ 2 ] [ 3 ]. Elwell, Walter A. ; Comfort, Philip Wesley: Tyndale Bible Dictionary. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 2001 (Tyndale Reference Library), S. 1022 [ 4 ] [ 7 ]. Willmington, H. L.: Willmington 's Bible Handbook. Wheaton, Ill. : Tyndale House Publishers, 1997, S. 767 [ 8 ] [ 9 ]. Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:862 [ 10 ] [ 11 ]. Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:862 [ 12 ]