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    St Peter – the story in pictures

    Paintings and Artworks by Duccio, Bassano, Fra Angelico, Tissot, Le Nain, von Honthorst, Mola, Raphael, Rembrandt, Caravaggio   

    Jesus Calls the Disciples

    Like his father and brother Andrew, Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade, working on the Lake of Galilee. When Jesus called him to become a follower he changed Peter’s name from Simon to Peter, which means ‘rock‘.   

    Gospel reference: Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20. See Bible Texts for St Peter   

    Jesus Calls the Disciples, Duccio

    Jesus Walks on Water

    Jesus was on the shore while the disciples, including Peter, were out on the Lake of Galilee. The weather was stormy, the water rough. Suddenly the men in the boat saw a figure walking towards them over the water. It was Jesus. 

     They shouted in fear, thinking it was some evil spirit. It was not. Jesus called to them not to be afraid. Peter, relieved and always impetuous, called out to Jesus that if Jesus wanted, Peter would walk towards him on the water. Jesus called for him to come, and Peter stepped out onto the water. 

    As long as he kept his focus on Jesus he was safe, but when he noticed how stormy the water was, he began to sink into the water. He called to Jesus for help. Jesus held out his hand and pulled him up to safety.   

    Gospel reference: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21. See Bible Texts for St Peter   

    Jesus Walks on Water, artist unknown

    Peter at the Last Supper

    At the Last Supper, Jesus washed the feet of each of his disciples. Peter objected to having his feet washed by someone he venerated, but Jesus persisted. 

    Jesus also predicted that his disciples would scatter and flee when danger threatened. But Peter contradicted him, assuring Jesus and the other disciples that even if everyone deserted, he would remain faithful to the end.  

    Gospel reference: Matthew 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:1-38. See Bible Texts for St Peter  

    Christ Washing the Feet of St Peter, Ford Madox Brown

    The Last Supper, Jacopo Bassano. Peter sits at Jesus' right hand

    Peter in the film 'Passion of the Christ'

    Peter at Gethsemane

    Peter was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just before his death. When the soldiers tried to arrest Jesus, Peter unsheathed his sword and swung it at the head of one of them, a slave of the High Priest called Malchus. He missed, but cut off the ear of the unfortunate man.   

    Gospel reference:  John 18:10-11, Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53. See Bible Texts for St Peter   

    The Arrest of Jesus, Fra Angelico

    Peter Smites the Ear of Malchus, James Tissot

    Peter Denies Jesus

    Reconstruction of Caiphas' Palace

    After Jesus’  arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, he was taken to the house of Caiphas the High Priest. This was an official residence with an open central courtyard. Peter was there, waiting outside while Jesus was being questioned. 

     Up until this point, he was being true to his word: he was staying by Jesus when the others fled. But someone, a woman servant, recognised him as a follower of Jesus, and challenged him. Peter took fright and said three times that he did not know Jesus. At once he was bitterly sorry for his own weakness.  

    Gospel reference: Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:56-62, John 18:25-27. See Bible Texts for St Peter  

    Saint Peter's Denial, Antoine/Louis Le Nain

    The Denial of St Peter, Gerrit van Honthorst

    The Third Denial of Peter, Caravaggio

    Peter is imprisoned, and escapes

    The early Christians were hunted and imprisoned by Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great (who slaughtered the Innocents at the time of the birth of Jesus). 

    Peter too was imprisoned, but the Christian communities prayed and God set him free: an angel of the Lord appeared, the chains fell off his wrists, and Peter followed the angel out of the prison cell.  

    New Testament reference: Acts 12:1-11. See Bible Texts for St Peter  

    The Liberation of St Peter, Gerrit van Honthorst

    St Peter in Prison, Rembrandt

    The Liberation of St Peter, Raphael

    The Death of St Peter

    There is no description of St Peter’s death in the New Testament, but traditionally he is supposed to have died in Rome during the persecution begun by the Emperor Nero. It was said he was crucified, like Jesus, but upside down.  

    The Crucifixion of St Peter, Caravaggio

    Summary

    The central events of St Peter’s life appear in the four gospels. The stories show a man of simplicity and faith. He suffered from a common human ailment: he wanted to do and be good, but was not always able to live up to his goals. Jesus loved and forgave him, because whenever Peter fell, he got up and tried again. 

    You can read more at PETER THE APOSTLE

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                                                 Group and individual activities for ST. PETER