Mark 3:16

KJV

And Simon he surnamed Peter;

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} Simon {G4613} he surnamed {G2007}{G3686} Peter {G4074};

Complete Jewish Bible

Shim`on, to whom he gave another name, "Kefa";

Berean Standard Bible

These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter),

American Standard Version

and Simon he surnamed Peter;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Mark 3:16 records a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry: the formal appointment of Simon as one of the twelve apostles, specifically noting Jesus' act of bestowing upon him the new surname, Peter. This seemingly simple act carries profound theological weight, signifying Jesus' divine authority to redefine identity and purpose, and foreshadowing Simon's future foundational role within the nascent community of believers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a crucial passage in Mark's Gospel, immediately following Jesus' decision to appoint the twelve apostles ([Mark 3:13-19](/mark/3-13-19 "Mark 3:13-19 - Jesus Appoints the Twelve Apostles")). Jesus "went up on the mountain and called to him those whom he desired, and they came to him" ([Mark 3:13](/mark/3-13 "Mark 3:13 - Jesus Calls His Disciples")). The purpose of this appointment is explicitly stated: "that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and have authority to cast out demons" ([Mark 3:14-15](/mark/3-14-15 "Mark 3:14-15 - The Purpose of the Apostles")). Simon is listed first among these chosen disciples, underscoring his prominent position and the special significance of his renaming. This act of calling and commissioning establishes the core leadership of Jesus' earthly ministry and sets the stage for the spread of the Gospel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, the act of renaming a person was a powerful symbol of authority and a declaration of a new identity, destiny, or relationship. Often, a superior (like a king or a deity) would rename a subordinate to signify a change in status or a new mission. Examples include God renaming Abram to Abraham ([Genesis 17:5](/genesis/17-5 "Genesis 17:5 - Abram Renamed Abraham")) and Jacob to Israel ([Genesis 32:28](/genesis/32-28 "Genesis 32:28 - Jacob Renamed Israel")). For Jesus to rename Simon demonstrates His divine prerogative and sovereign authority over His disciples' lives and purposes. It was not merely a nickname but a prophetic act, indicating a profound transformation and a specific, weighty calling.
* **Key Themes:** Mark 3:16 contributes significantly to several key themes within the Gospel of Mark and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Authority**, as Jesus demonstrates His power not only to call individuals but also to redefine their very identity and purpose. Secondly, it introduces the theme of **New Identity and Transformation**, showing that following Jesus often involves a radical shift in who one is and what one is called to do. Simon, a simple fisherman, is given a name that speaks of strength and stability, foreshadowing his future role. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Foundational Leadership** within the nascent community of believers, as the name "Peter" (rock) implies a sturdy, enduring quality essential for the building of the church, a concept more explicitly developed in [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter, the Rock").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **surnamed (Greek, _epitíthēmi'_ G2007 and _ónoma'_ G3686):** The verb `epitíthēmi` means "to impose," "to lay upon," or "to put upon." When combined with `ónoma` (name), it signifies the act of "putting a name upon" someone, or "surnaming." This emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and authoritative action in bestowing the new name. It's not a casual nickname but a formal, intentional act of designation, indicative of His sovereign power over Simon's identity and future.
* **Peter (Greek, _Pétros'_ G4074):** This word literally means "a piece of rock" or "stone," distinguishing it from `petra` (G4073), which refers to a large, immovable rock or bedrock. While `Pétros` can denote a smaller stone, in this context, it carries the metaphorical weight of solidity, stability, and foundational strength. This name, given by Jesus, prophetically declares Simon's future character and his crucial role as a pillar in the early church, despite his initial human frailties and inconsistencies. It points to the divine purpose and potential Jesus saw in him.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Simon":** This refers to Simon, the son of Jonah, a fisherman from Bethsaida or Capernaum, who was one of Jesus' earliest disciples. His original name, `Símōn` (G4613), is of Hebrew origin, meaning "he has heard" or "listening," reflecting his Jewish heritage and perhaps his initial openness to Jesus' teaching.
* **"he surnamed Peter;":** This is the core action of the verse. Jesus, exercising His divine authority, formally bestows a new name upon Simon. The act of "surnaming" (from `epitíthēmi` and `ónoma`) signifies a profound change in identity and purpose. The new name, "Peter" (`Pétros`), meaning "rock," is a prophetic declaration of Simon's future character and his foundational role in the establishment and leadership of the Christian community. This renaming is not merely descriptive but prescriptive, indicating what Simon would become through divine empowerment.

#### Literary Devices
Mark 3:16 employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the name "Peter" itself serves as a powerful symbol. "Rock" symbolizes strength, stability, and foundational importance, directly contrasting with Simon's often impulsive and wavering character seen elsewhere in the Gospels. This symbolic renaming is also a clear instance of **Foreshadowing**, as it anticipates Peter's future leadership role, his pivotal confession of Christ, and his ultimate martyrdom, all of which confirm his "rock-like" steadfastness in the face of persecution. Furthermore, there's an element of **Irony** in Jesus giving the name "rock" to someone who would famously deny Him three times ([Mark 14:66-72](/mark/14-66-72 "Mark 14:66-72 - Peter Denies Jesus")), highlighting that Peter's strength and stability would ultimately derive not from his own character but from the transforming power and steadfast grace of Christ.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The renaming of Simon to Peter is a profound theological statement about God's sovereign right to redefine and empower individuals for His purposes. It underscores the theme of divine election and transformation, where God sees not just who we are, but who we can become through His calling and grace. This act also sets the stage for the establishment of the church, with Peter serving as a foundational figure, a "rock" upon which the early community would be built. It speaks to the truth that God often uses ordinary people, transforming them from within, to accomplish extraordinary tasks for His kingdom. This divine prerogative to rename and redefine is a consistent biblical motif, signifying a new covenant, a new identity, and a new destiny for those called by God.

* [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus' Declaration about Peter and the Church")
* [John 1:42](/john/1-42 "John 1:42 - Andrew Brings Simon to Jesus, Who Renames Him Cephas")
* [Isaiah 62:2](/isaiah/62-2 "Isaiah 62:2 - New Name for God's People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Mark 3:16 offers a powerful reminder that when we commit our lives to Christ, we are offered a new identity and purpose that transcends our past failures, our perceived limitations, and even our original names or reputations. Just as Simon, a simple fisherman, was transformed into Peter, the "rock," so too does God see our potential beyond our current circumstances. This verse encourages believers to embrace the new identity they have in Christ, understanding that God equips and empowers those He calls for His divine purposes. It challenges us to consider what "new name" or new purpose God might be calling us into, urging us to trust in His transformative power to mold us into the people He intends us to be. Our past does not define our future in God's plan; rather, He often uses ordinary people for extraordinary tasks, transforming them in the process.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does it mean for you to have a "new identity" in Christ, and how does that impact your daily life?**
* **In what areas of your life might God be calling you to embrace a new purpose or a transformed character, much like Simon becoming Peter?**
* **How does the idea of Jesus having the authority to "rename" you influence your understanding of His sovereignty over your life?**
* **Despite Peter's future failures, Jesus still called him "rock." What does this teach you about God's grace and His long-term vision for you?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus rename Simon "Peter"?**

Answer: Jesus renamed Simon "Peter" (Greek: _Pétros_, meaning "rock" or "stone") as a prophetic act signifying Simon's future character and pivotal role within the nascent Christian church. This act demonstrated Jesus' divine authority to redefine identity and purpose. The name "rock" symbolized the stability, strength, and foundational importance that Peter would embody, especially in his leadership of the early believers, as further elaborated in [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter, the Rock on Which the Church is Built"). It was a declaration of what Simon would become through God's empowering grace, rather than merely a description of his initial personality.

**Is "Peter" the same as "Cephas"?**

Answer: Yes, "Peter" is the Greek translation of the Aramaic name "Cephas." In [John 1:42](/john/1-42 "John 1:42 - Andrew Brings Simon to Jesus, Who Renames Him Cephas"), Jesus initially tells Simon, "You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas" (which means Peter). The Gospel of Mark, written primarily for a Gentile audience, uses the more familiar Greek equivalent, "Peter," while retaining the profound meaning of a "rock." Both names convey the same significant truth about Simon's new identity and destiny.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The renaming of Simon to Peter in [Mark 3:16](/mark/3-16 "Mark 3:16 - Simon Surnamed Peter") finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. While Peter becomes a "rock" for the church, he is only so by virtue of his connection to Christ, who is the true and ultimate "rock" and foundation. The Old Testament consistently portrays God as the "Rock" of Israel, their refuge and strength ([Deuteronomy 32:4](/deuteronomy/32-4 "Deuteronomy 32:4 - God is the Rock"), [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord is My Rock")). This imagery is powerfully transferred to Jesus in the New Testament, who is identified as the "cornerstone" rejected by the builders but chosen by God ([Acts 4:11](/acts/4-11 "Acts 4:11 - Jesus, the Cornerstone"), [1 Peter 2:7](/1_peter/2-7 "1 Peter 2:7 - Christ, the Living Stone")). Therefore, Peter's "rock-like" quality is a reflection of Christ's own steadfastness and foundational nature. Jesus, as the sovereign Lord, not only renames Simon but also empowers him through the Holy Spirit to fulfill that new identity, demonstrating His ongoing work of building His church upon Himself as the chief cornerstone, with apostles like Peter serving as vital, Spirit-empowered foundational stones ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Built on the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets")). Thus, Simon's transformation into Peter ultimately points to Christ's supreme authority, His identity as the unshakeable foundation, and His redemptive power to transform and use ordinary individuals for His eternal purposes.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.

Acts 1:13

And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James [the son] of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas [the brother] of James.

2 Peter 1:1

¶ Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

1 Corinthians 1:12

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.

1 Corinthians 3:22

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

Matthew 10:2

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;

Matthew 10:4

Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.