Tevet 9 – The Death of Simon Peter

Tevet 9, 5785; from sunset January 8, 2025, to sunset January 9, 2025

(The ninth day of the tenth month)

This is the name Petros – Peter – as seen in the Apostolic Scriptures.

The Life & Death of Simon Peter

On the northwestern coastline of the Sea of Galilee, there is a village by the name of Kefar-Nachum. Today, we call this village Capernaum. Early one morning, in this fishing village, a man named Shimon (Simon, “He Who Hears”) went out to work the family fishing nets. Shimon was the son of Yonah (Jonah, “Dove”) and together with his brother Andreas (Andrew, “Manly”) they supported their families by their fishing business.

Andrew had been gone for a few days; he had gone to the Yarden (Jordan, “Descender”) River, near the village of Beit-Abarah (Bethabara, “House of Crossing”), to hear a man named Yochanan (John, “The LORD is Gracious”) who was preaching a baptism of repentance. “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

This particular morning, Andrew had returned from Beit-Abarah and was so full of hope that he couldn’t contain himself. “Simon! We have found the Messiah!” (John 1:41) Now, Simon probably could not believe his ears (get it? “Ears” – Simon = “He Who Hears”); but he listened as Andrew explained what had just happened to him. Their conversation could have gone something like this…

“Simon, I was with John the Baptizer in Beit-Abarah, and he not only was preaching the baptism of repentance, but he also told me that one day a man named Yeshua (Jesus, “Salvation”) came from Galilee to be baptized. John tried to prevent Him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?’ But Jesus answered, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.’ Then John said, ‘So I baptized Him.’” (cf. Matthew 3:13-15)

And John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, `Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” – John 1:32-34 (NKJ)

“Simon, I spent that night with John so I could hear more. He told me that right after the baptism, suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22) Can you imagine? A voice from Heaven! After that, Jesus went out into the wilderness and hadn’t been seen for about forty days.” (cf. Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13)

“The next day, Simon, the next day – we were standing there with John, and he looked and said, ‘Behold the Lamb of God!’ Simon, Jesus was there! We followed Him and then He turned, and spoke to us, “What do you seek?” We said to Him, “Rabbi, where are You staying?” He said to us, “Come and see.” So we went and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day, it was about four o’clock in the afternoon (about the tenth hour).” (cf. John 1:35-39)

And he [Andrew] brought him [Simon] to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas.” (which is translated, A Stone). – John 1:42 (NKJ)

And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. – Matthew 4:18-22 (NKJ).

From that day on, Simon’s life was forever changed. The next thirty-some years were a wild ride, ranging from very high highs to very low lows, including:

Walking on water!
Witnessing countless miraculous healings
Performing countless miraculous healings
Recognizing Jesus as, “the Christ, the Son of the living God”
Named the “Rock on which I will build My church”
Given the keys to the Kingdom
Was present at Jesus’ transfiguration
Had his temple tax paid by a fish!
Had his feet washed by Jesus!!
Was taught about the latter days
Fell asleep while praying with Jesus
Cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant
Denied knowing Jesus three times
Ran to the tomb after Mary Magdalene’s report
Was present when Jesus appeared after the resurrection
Caught 153 fish & had his breakfast cooked by Jesus
Had his death foretold by Jesus
Professed his love for Jesus and was commanded, “Feed My sheep”
Witnessed Jesus’ ascension
Received the Holy Spirit & the power of healing
Had an angel release him from prison
Received visions, met with Gentiles, and preached the gospel
& countless untold stories

Church tradition holds that Peter died on this day by crucifixion under the reign of Emperor Nero in Rome, somewhere around 64 AD. Legend has it that while fleeing Rome, Peter met the resurrected Jesus heading into the city. Peter asked, “Lord where are you going?” To which Jesus replied, “To Rome to be crucified again.” Peter is said to have then turned around and returned to Rome to face his destiny. It is said that he was crucified upside-down because he was not worthy to die in the same manner as Jesus. The traditional burial place of Peter is under the altar at St. Peter’s Basilica. The following is what Clement had to say about the life and death of Peter.

But not to dwell upon ancient examples, let us come to the most recent spiritual heroes. Let us take the noble examples furnished in our own generation. Through envy and jealousy, the greatest and most righteous pillars of the Church have been persecuted and put to death. Let us set before our eyes the illustrious apostles. Peter, through unrighteous envy, endured not one or two, but numerous labors, and when he had at length suffered martyrdom, departed to the place of glory due to him. – 1 Clement 5:1-4

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