New Testament · Gospel

John 1:42

The Word Made Flesh

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). John 1:42 · Berean Standard Bible

What It Means

John 1:42, in plain English

Andrew brought Simon to Jesus. Jesus looked at him closely and said, 'You are Simon son of John. But you're going to be called Cephas' — which means Peter, or Rock.

Why it's here

Jesus looked at Simon and saw his future, not his present. He does the same with you — He sees who you're becoming, not just who you are today.

Who's speaking

Jesus gives Simon a brand new name and a brand new identity.

Where it sits in the story

Simon walked up as a fisherman. Jesus looked at him and saw a rock. He renamed him on the spot. That's what Jesus does — He sees your potential before you do.

A Closer Look

The scholarly reading

Andrew brings Simon to Jesus, who gazes at him (Greek: emblepsas, 'looked intently') and renames him Cephas (Aramaic: Kēphas, 'Rock'), which is translated as Peter (Petros).

Language and setting

The renaming parallels God's renaming of Abram to Abraham (Genesis 17:5) and Jacob to Israel (Genesis 32:28). A new name signals a new identity and divine calling.

Voice

Jesus looks at Simon and gives him a new name: Cephas (Peter), meaning 'Rock.'

Significance

Jesus sees not who Simon is but who he will become. The fisherman who will deny Christ three times is named 'Rock' — a prophetic act of naming based on divine foreknowledge.

In context

John 1:40–44

40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s testimony and followed Jesus.

41He first found his brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated as Christ).

42Andrew 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).

43The next day Jesus decided to set out for Galilee. Finding Philip, He told him, “Follow Me.”

44Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the same town as Andrew and Peter.

Read all of John 1 — John doesn't begin with a birth story. He begins with a cosmic declaration that echoes the first line of Genesis on purpose.

Understand every verse, not just this one

This page covers one. BibleKey does all 31,102 — tap any verse for its meaning, any word for its Hebrew or Greek root, and keep reading without leaving the chapter.

Get BibleKey

Understand every verse.

Not just the famous ones. BibleKey is free on iPhone and iPad.

Download on the App Store

Free on iPhone & iPad