Bible Verses About Peter: 12

"Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." … The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.""

— Matthew 16:16; John 21:17 (NIV)

People who search bible verses about Peter want Scripture on Petros — Simon the Galilean fisherman who left his nets, stepped out of the boat, confessed Jesus as the Messiah, denied him three times, wept, and was restored by the lake with "Do you love me?" before preaching at Pentecost and writing two letters — not only forgiveness in general. This page is a numbered list of twelve passages with the NIV text and a short note on each. Related lists: Bible verses about Jesus, Bible verses about forgiveness, Bible verses about restoration, Bible verses about faith, Bible verses about fear, Bible verses about discipleship, Bible verses about love, 1 Peter 4:8, and Bible verse of the day. Peter here means Simon Peter the apostle — distinct from generic forgiveness lists.

Word study (lead theme). In Greek, Πέτρος Petros (Strong's G4074; Bible Hub G4074) — Peter, "a rock or stone." John 1:42 gives the Aramaic form: "You will be called Cephas (which, when translated, is Peter)." This list tracks that Peter inventory — not a forgiveness-alone twelve.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on John 21 dwells on Jesus asking Peter three times "Do you love me?" after his three denials, and the charge to feed his sheep (Bible Hub MHC John 21; Blue Letter Bible, Matthew Henry on John 21). (Forgiveness and faith pages live elsewhere; this list centers Peter the apostle.)

12 Bible verses about Peter

1. Matthew 4:18-20. "As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him." Left his nets. See Bible verses about discipleship.

2. Luke 5:8. "When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!"" After the miraculous catch — honest about himself. See Bible verses about grace.

3. Matthew 14:29-31. ""Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"" Out of the boat — and caught. See Bible verses about faith and Bible verses about fear.

4. Matthew 16:16-18. "Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it."" The confession and the name. See Bible verses about Jesus.

5. John 6:68. "Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."" To whom shall we go?

6. Luke 22:31-32. ""Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."" Jesus prayed for him before he fell.

7. Luke 22:61-62. "The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly." The denial and the tears. See Bible verses about grief.

8. John 21:17. "The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep."" Three questions after three denials. See Bible verses about restoration and Bible verses about forgiveness.

9. Acts 2:38. "Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."" Peter preaching at Pentecost.

10. Acts 3:6. "Then Peter said, "Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk."" What I do have I give you. See Bible verses about courage.

11. 1 Peter 4:8. "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." Peter's own words on love. See 1 Peter 4:8 and Bible verses about love.

12. 1 Peter 5:7. "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." From the man Jesus caught when he sank. See Bible verses about peace.

How to use these verses

Pick one verse when you need Peter — not twelve as a grind. If you are stepping into something frightening, start at Matthew 14:29–31. If you have failed someone you love, open Luke 22:61–62 and then John 21:17. If you are anxious, open 1 Peter 5:7. If you want his words on love, open 1 Peter 4:8. For forgiveness in general, open Bible verses about forgiveness. For a daily verse, open Bible verse of the day.

Questions people ask

What is a good Bible verse about Peter?

Matthew 16:16–18 — Peter's confession and Jesus' words "you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church" — is the classic starting place. John 21:17 shows his restoration after the denial.

What does the name Peter mean?

Petros (G4074) means "a rock or stone." Jesus gave Simon the name; John 1:42 gives the Aramaic form Cephas.

How many times did Peter deny Jesus?

Three times, as Jesus had said he would (Luke 22:34, 22:54–62). After the third denial the rooster crowed, the Lord looked at Peter, and Peter went outside and wept bitterly.

Why did Jesus ask Peter "Do you love me?" three times?

John 21:15–17 records three questions by the Sea of Galilee after the resurrection, each followed by a charge to feed or take care of Jesus' sheep. Many readers see the three questions answering Peter's three denials.

How is Peter different from forgiveness alone?

Forgiveness pages gather Scripture on being forgiven and forgiving others in general. This list centers Peter the man — the nets, the water, the confession, the denial, the restoration, and his letters.