This is only the third time in the Gospel’s that it is recorded where Jesus referred to Peter using his full Hebrew name… “Simon son of Jonah.” The first reference is recorded in John 1:42. Andrew had just brought his brother to Jesus, and Jesus addressed him, saying...
“’You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ (which is translated, Stone).”
Simon and Jonah are Hebrew names. Cephas is Peter’s initial Greek name. Greek was the international language, so it was common for people to have a Greek name in addition to a name in their first language. Jesus initially calls Simon “Stone” in Greek. But later in Mark 3:16, Jesus upgrades Cephas from “Stone” to Peter which means “Rock” in Greek.
In John 21:15, Jesus refers to Peter by his Hebrew names, “Simon son of Jonah.” Peter’s father was named after the Prophet Jonah. Remember Jonah? He was the prophet that God called to preach to the people of Nineveh. What did Jonah do? Initially, he ran from God’s calling. But later, after a miraculous experience, Jonah spoke for God.
Jonah’s change of heart happened after he experienced a storm. He was on a ship that was about to sink. The sailors cast lots to determine who was to blame for this crisis. The lot fell on Jonah. Jonah confessed his sin to the sailors. He told them to cast him into the sea to save their lives. They tried to save themselves by rowing harder. Their own work could not save them. They needed someone to die in their place. Jonah told them to sacrifice him. They did so by throwing him overboard. The storm immediately ceased. Jonah surrendered his life that they might live.
Jonah was in the belly of a great fish for three days. Perhaps, he died, and the Lord resurrected him. Jonah said…
“Out of the belly of Sheol [the place of the dead] I cried, and You heard my voice.” [2]
“The earth with its bars closed behind me forever; yet You have brought up my life from the pit, O Lord, my God.” [3]
Jesus said…
“No sign will be given to it [this generation] except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
On the third day, the fish vomited Jonah up on dry land. He was alive.
Jesus refers to Peter as Simon son of Jonah three times (See John 21:15-17). Each time, He asks the son of Jonah, “Do you love me?” Simon Son of Jonah and his crew just caught 153 fish in one net. [5] Could he surrender fish for Jesus? Could he who denied the Lord three times confess that he loved Jesus three times? Yes, he did.
How about you and me? Is there anything that is keeping us from confessing our love for Jesus? What is between us and Jesus? Can we give it up? Will our Ninevites die without Jesus? Or will we love Jesus enough to feed them. With each confession of his love for Jesus. Jesus directs Peter to feed God’s people.
Sheep need shepherds because they are prone to go astray. If we love Jesus, we will feed them God's Word as Jonah did, as Jesus did, and yes… as Peter did.
“Yes, Jesus, we love You. Yes, we will feed Your sheep.”
[1] John 21:15
[2] Jonah 2:2
[3] Jonah 2:6
[4] Matthew 12:39-40
[5] John 21:11
The second picture is my son Andrew's painting. He is a fisherman who by the testimony of another fisherman had a positive impact on his life for Christ.
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