In the New Testament, Peter is the apostle whom Paul calls Cephas.
Cephas is a name used for Peter in several New Testament passages, especially in Paul’s letters. Paul writes of meeting Cephas in Jerusalem and later refers to a disagreement involving Cephas at Antioch. The Gospel of John explains that Jesus gave Simon the name Cephas, translated as Peter; both names are connected with the meaning “rock.”
Peter’s original name is Simon, and the New Testament uses Simon, Peter, and Cephas in different settings. “Peter” comes from the Greek Petros, while “Cephas” reflects the Aramaic word Kepha. These are not three different apostles.
Peter is one of the Twelve and appears prominently in the Gospel narratives and Acts. He is traditionally regarded as a leading figure among Jesus’s disciples, while Paul is especially associated with missions to Gentiles. Their distinct roles sometimes cause readers to overlook that Paul’s letters use Cephas as another name for Peter.