ACC ~ John 1 v42

PETER CALLED CEPHAS

AUGUSTINE: The Evangelist John, again, tells us that before Jesus went into Galilee, Peter and Andrew were with him one day. He also tells us that on that occasion the former had this name, Peter, given to him, while before that he was called Simon. Likewise, John tells us that on the day following, when Jesus now wanted to go up to Galilee, he found Philip and told him to follow him. In this way, too, the Evangelist comes to give the narrative about Nathanael. Further, he informs us that on the third day, when he was yet in Galilee, Jesus brought about the miracle of the turning of the water into wine at Cana. All these incidents are left unrecorded by the other Evangelists, who continue their narratives at once with the statement of the return of Jesus into Galilee. From this, we are to understand that there was an interval here of several days during which those incidents took place in the history of the disciples that are inserted at this point by John. Neither is there anything contradictory here to that other passage where Matthew tells us how the Lord said to Peter, “You are Peter, and on this rock will I build my church.” [1] But we are not to understand that that was the time when he first received this name. We are rather to suppose that this took place on the occasion when it was said to him, as John mentions, “You shall be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, ‘a rock.’” Thus the Lord could address him at that later period by this very name when he said, “You are Peter.” For he does not say then, “You shall be called Peter” but “You are Peter,” because on a previous occasion it had already been said, “You shall be called.” HARMONY OF THE GOSPELS 2.17.34. [2]

[1] Mt 16:18.

[2] NPNF 1 6:121*.

BUILDING ON A ROCK

AUGUSTINE: Is it a great thing that he changed his name and made him Peter from Simon? Now Peter is from the word for rock, but the rock is the church. Therefore, in the name of Peter the church was represented. And who is secure if not he who builds on a rock? And what does the Lord himself say? “He who hears these words of mine and does them, I shall liken him to a wise man who builds on rock.” [1] He does not give in to temptation….

In this way he has drawn your attention. For if Peter had this name before, you would not in that case see the mystery of the rock, and you would think that he was called that name before by chance, not by the providence of God. This is why he wanted him to be called another name first, so that from the very change of name the vital force of the mystery might be commended. TRACTATES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.14.1-4. [2]

[1] See Mt 7:24.

[2] FC 78:167-68*.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

CHRYSOSTOM: Why does he change their names? He does this to show that it was he who gave the old covenant, that it was he who altered names, who called Abram “Abraham,” and Sarai “Sarah” and Jacob “Israel.” To many he assigned names even from their birth, as with Isaac and Samson, and to those in Isaiah and Hosea. [1] But to others, he gave them their names after they had been named by their parents, like those we have mentioned, as well as Joshua the son of Nun. It was also a custom of the ancients to give names from things, which in fact Leah did. [2] By doing so, the parents have the appellation to remind them of the goodness of God, that a perpetual memory of the prophecy conveyed by the names may sound in the ears of those who receive it. And so too, he named John early, [3] because those whose virtue was to shine forth from their early youth, from that time received their names, while to those who were to become great at a later period, the title also was given later.

But then they each received a different name. Now we all have one name, that which is greater than any. We are called “Christians,” and “sons of God,” and “friends” and [his] “body.” HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 19.2-3. [4]

[1] Is 8:3; Hos 1:4, 6, 9.

[2] See Gen 30.

[3] Or “from above.”

[4] NPNF 1 14:68**.