While Judas struggled with greed, Simon Peter exhibits pride and a quick temper. Like Judas, Peter performed those same miracles when sent out, as recounted in Mark 6. Peter was truly dedicated to Jesus, following Him. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it’” ( Matthew 16:16-18). Later, Jesus confirms the Holy Spirit is guiding Peter, as recorded in Matthew, “Simon Peter replied, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. Here, the Gospels show that Simon Peter had early insight into who Jesus Christ is, stating, “But when Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord.’” ( Luke 5:8) Immediately he understood that this miracle worker was more than just an insightful man, or even a powerful prophet. Jesus called Peter and his brother to follow Him by getting into Simon’s boat, helping them catch fish miraculously, and inviting them to be fishers of men.
Like Judas, Peter is named in all four Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, and would go on to write two other books in the New Testament. His brother Andrew was also an apostle, and they worked with the Sons of Zebedee, who were also apostles. In all three of the Synoptic Gospels it mentions that Jesus healed his mother-in-law. Though it is not known who she was, Peter did have a wife. What Do the Gospels Say about Peter?īorn Simon son of Judah and renamed Peter by the Lord Jesus, this apostle began life as a fisherman in Capernaum. He asked for what he truly wanted - financial gain. Given how much the religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus, he probably could have asked for land or political favors. After Mary Magdalene anoints Jesus with precious perfume, “ But Judas Iscariot, one of his disciples (he who was about to betray him), said, ‘Why was this ointment not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?’ He said this, not because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to what was put into it” ( John 12:4-6).īeyond embezzlement, Judas betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. John reveals in his Gospel the extent of Judas’ love of money. This sin appears to be the one that he struggled with the most, and ultimately, failed to overcome. Highlighted frequently, particularly in the Gospel of John, is Judas’ greed. While Judas may have had bad motives for holding the purse, to be discussed shortly, the other apostles did deign to entrust him with their money. In John 12:6, John notes that Judas held the apostle’s moneybag, a position of trust, requiring integrity. The Book of John highlights another interesting point about the future betrayer. No account states that Judas failed at this task. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them” ( Mark 6:12-13). He went out with the others in Mark 6 - also recorded in Matthew - to spread the news of Jesus Christ: “So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. In all four Gospels, Judas is mentioned by name as one of the twelve hand-picked apostles.
The latter two are considered the least likely, but are a part of the debate. There is even some debate among scholars as to what Iscariot refers - a region, a Jewish sect, or even a term for liar. The Gospel of John asserts that he was the son of a man named Simon Iscariot. Little can be affirmatively known about the early life of Judas Iscariot. By comparing these two men, a picture is painted of two types of sinners, those who come to Jesus and those who do not. On the night of Jesus’ trials, Judas betrayed, but Peter denied. The Holy Spirit gave insight to Peter about the true nature of Jesus. Judas failed to understand who Jesus really was, even to the end.
Peter was the one who kept losing his temper. Yet a study of the Gospels reveals an interesting pattern. One betrayed Jesus, the other would go on to be one of the most passionate apostles. Two of the most well-known of these twelve, most believers would say, are very different: Judas and Simon Peter.
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