Mark 3:16

Mark 3:16, in plain English

Here are the twelve He chose: Simon, whom Jesus named Peter.

Why it's here

Jesus gave Simon a new name—Peter, meaning 'Rock.' Jesus saw who Simon would become, not just who he was in that moment. He does the same for you.

Who's speaking

Mark begins listing the twelve apostles, starting with Simon Peter.

Where it sits in the story

Imagine being given a new name by Jesus—a name that described your future, not your past. That's what happened to Simon. He was impulsive and inconsistent, but Jesus called him Rock.

The scholarly reading

Mark begins the apostolic list with Simon, to whom Jesus gave the name Peter (Petros, from Aramaic Kēphā', 'Rock'), signifying his foundational role in the community of disciples.

Language and setting

The renaming practice was significant in biblical tradition (Abram to Abraham, Jacob to Israel), indicating a new identity and mission. Peter is consistently listed first in every New Testament apostolic list.

Voice

Mark introduces the apostolic catalog, beginning with Simon Peter and his divinely given name.

Significance

Simon the fisherman received a new name reflecting a new destiny. 'Rock' would seem ironic given Peter's later failures, but Jesus named him for what he would become through grace, not what he was by nature.

14He appointed twelve of them, whom He designated as apostles, to accompany Him, to be sent out to preach,

15and to have authority to drive out demons.

16These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (whom He named Peter),

17James son of Zebedee and his brother John (whom He named Boanerges, meaning “Sons of Thunder”),

18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot,

Read all of Mark 3 — A man with a withered hand, a crowd pressing in from every side, and twelve unlikely men called to change the world.