John 1:42

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.

And {G2532} he brought {G71} him {G846} to {G4314} Jesus {G2424}. And {G1161} when Jesus {G2424} beheld {G1689} him {G846}, he said {G2036}, Thou {G4771} art {G1488} Simon {G4613} the son {G5207} of Jona {G2495}: thou {G4771} shalt be called {G2564} Cephas {G2786}, which {G3739} is by interpretation {G2059}, A stone {G4074}.

He took him to Yeshua. Looking at him, Yeshua said, “You are Shim‘on Bar-Yochanan; you will be known as Kefa.” (The name means “rock.”)

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).

He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter).

Commentary

John 1:42 records a pivotal moment in the early ministry of Jesus: the introduction of Simon, who would later become Peter, one of Jesus' most prominent apostles. This verse marks the beginning of Simon's transformation and the divine recognition of his future role.

Context

This verse follows Andrew, Simon's brother, having met Jesus and immediately recognizing Him as the Messiah. Andrew's first act after encountering Jesus is to find his brother, Simon, and bring him to Jesus. This highlights the theme of personal evangelism and the ripple effect of genuine spiritual encounters. The scene unfolds early in Jesus' public ministry, shortly after John the Baptist's testimony about Jesus as the "Lamb of God" and His initial gathering of disciples.

Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Calling: Jesus immediately perceives Simon's identity and, more significantly, his destiny. This demonstrates Jesus' supernatural knowledge of individuals and His intentional calling of those He chooses for His purposes, even before they fully understand their own potential.
  • Transformation and New Identity: The act of Jesus renaming Simon to "Cephas" (Peter) signifies a profound spiritual transformation and the bestowal of a new identity linked to a divine purpose. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God renames individuals to reflect a new covenant relationship or mission, such as Abram to Abraham or Jacob to Israel.
  • Foundation and Leadership: The name "Cephas," meaning "stone" or "rock," foreshadows Simon's future role as a foundational leader in the early Christian church. While Christ Himself is the ultimate cornerstone, Peter was chosen to be a pillar, particularly in the nascent stages of the church, as further elaborated in Matthew 16:18.
  • Personal Witnessing: Andrew's action of bringing Simon to Jesus is a powerful example of personal evangelism. It underscores the importance of disciples sharing their faith with those closest to them, allowing others to encounter Jesus for themselves.

Linguistic Insights

The core of this verse lies in the renaming of Simon. Jesus says, "Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone."

  • Cephas: This is the Aramaic word (כֵּיפָא, Kēphā) for "rock" or "stone." Aramaic was the common language spoken by Jesus and His disciples in Galilee.
  • Peter: The Greek equivalent of "Cephas" is Petros (Πέτρος), which also means "stone" or "rock." In the New Testament, Simon is almost exclusively referred to as Peter once Jesus gives him this new name. The name "Peter" is a masculine form of the Greek word petra (πέτρα), meaning "bedrock" or "large rock." While there's a subtle distinction, both "Cephas" and "Peter" convey the idea of stability and solidity.

By giving Simon this name, Jesus was not just giving him a nickname but declaring his future character and role: a man who, despite his imperfections, would be a steadfast and foundational figure for the Kingdom of God.

Practical Application

John 1:42 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  1. The Power of Personal Invitation: Andrew's simple act of bringing his brother to Jesus demonstrates the effectiveness of one-on-one witnessing. We are called to share our faith and introduce others to Christ, trusting that Jesus will do the transforming work.
  2. God Sees Our Potential: Before Simon had done anything noteworthy, Jesus saw in him "Cephas," the "rock." This reminds us that God sees beyond our present circumstances and weaknesses to the person He intends us to be, calling us into a new identity and purpose in Him.
  3. New Identity in Christ: Just as Simon received a new name and identity, believers in Christ are given a new spiritual identity. We are no longer defined by our past failures or worldly labels but are "new creatures" in Christ Jesus, called to live out our God-given purpose.
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Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 15:5 (6 votes)

    And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

  • John 21:15 (6 votes)

    ¶ So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

  • John 21:17 (6 votes)

    He saith unto him the third time, Simon, [son] of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:22 (6 votes)

    Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

  • 1 Corinthians 1:12 (5 votes)

    Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

  • Matthew 10:2 (4 votes)

    Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James [the son] of Zebedee, and John his brother;

  • Galatians 2:9 (4 votes)

    And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we [should go] unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.