Saint Peter the Apostle
The fisherman who became the rock of the Church
Fourteen episodes on the life of Simon Peter, Galilean fisherman who became the head of the apostolic college. Sixty-six years: from Bethsaida and the Capernaum boats to the calling on the Jordan, from the miraculous catch to walking on water, from the confession at Caesarea Philippi and the Transfiguration on Tabor to the night in Gethsemane. From the sword against Malchus to the three denials in the high priest's courtyard, from the empty tomb to the dawn fire on the shore of Tiberias and the threefold restoration. From Pentecost in Jerusalem to the lame man at the Beautiful Gate, from the vision of the sheet in Joppa to Cornelius the centurion in Caesarea. From the angel breaking the chains of Herod Agrippa to the journeys through Anatolia and the letters from Babylon, from the Roman years to the Appian Way where Peter meets Christ carrying the cross. From upside-down crucifixion in Nero's Vatican circus to the tomb in the necropolis, from the 1939-1968 Vatican excavations to Paul VI's declaration that the relics had been identified.
14 episodes · Narrated in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French and German
Episode 1 is free
Episodes
- 01
Fisherman of Galilee
Galilee, the first century. On the shores of the Sea of Galilee, Simon and his brother Andrew make their living as fishermen. This is where Peter's story begins.
- 02
You Will Be Called Cephas
Near the Jordan, Andrew brings Simon to Jesus, who announces a new name for him. By the lake, Luke tells of an extraordinary catch and the fisherman’s calling.
- 03
Day by Day in Capernaum
Capernaum, around the year 30. The Gospels recount the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, a crowd outside the house, and a storm during a lake crossing.
- 04
Upon the Waters
On the Sea of Galilee, according to Matthew, Peter walks on the water and begins to sink. Mark also recounts his presence at Jairus’s house.
- 05
You Are the Christ
Near Caesarea Philippi, Peter confesses that Jesus is the Messiah. Jesus promises him the keys to the Kingdom. Days later, Peter witnesses the Transfiguration on a mountain not named in the Gospels.
- 06
The Night He Failed
Jerusalem, on the night of Jesus’ arrest. The supper, the washing of the feet, and Gethsemane. Peter draws his sword and denies knowing his Master three times.
- 07
Tiberias and Pentecost
The Sea of Tiberias and Jerusalem. According to John, the risen Jesus speaks with Peter three times beside the lake. In Acts, the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost.
- 08
In the Name of Jesus
Jerusalem, in the early years of the Christian community. According to Acts, a healing at the Beautiful Gate leads Peter before the Sanhedrin. Then comes the story of Ananias and Sapphira.
- 09
Acts on the Road
Samaria, Lydda, and Joppa, in the early years of the Church. Simon offers money for the gift of the Spirit. According to Acts, Aeneas is healed and Tabitha is restored to life.
- 10
Heaven Opened
Joppa and Caesarea, around the year 40. Peter sees a vision of animals. According to Acts, the Holy Spirit is granted to Cornelius’s household too.
- 11
The Night of the Chains
Jerusalem, around 44. Herod Agrippa has James killed and arrests Peter. Acts recounts how an angel leads Peter out of prison.
- 12
From Antioch to Babylon
From Antioch to Rome, in ancient sources and traditions. Paul confronts Peter; according to Papias, Mark records his preaching. Two letters bear the apostle’s name.
- 13
Quo Vadis, Domine
Rome, 64. The great fire and persecution under Nero. According to an apocryphal tradition, Peter encounters Christ as he leaves the city.
- 14
Upside Down
Rome under Nero. The tradition of Peter’s crucifixion. The venerated Vatican tomb and the modern investigation of the relics.
How this series was researched
The narration and the place and date labels were broken down into factual claims and checked against sources: 238 claims in this series were checked against a cited source. Where the sources did not support a claim, the text was corrected or reduced to what the sources actually say.
A second, independent check then went through the whole series again.
The text was reviewed separately in each of the five languages it is narrated in.
Main sources
- Gospels: Mt 4; 14; 16–17; 26 · Lk 5; 22 · Jn 1; 21 (1st century)
- Acts of the Apostles 1–12; 15 (1st century)
- First Letter of Peter (1st century)
- Historia Ecclesiastica II.25; III.1 — Eusebius of Caesarea (c. 313–325)
- Acts of Peter (apocryphal) (2nd century)
- General Audience on the relics of Saint Peter — Paul VI (1968)
Tradition and debate
Where the sources are thin or disagree, the series says so. For example:
- The exact site of Bethsaida, Peter's hometown by the Sea of Galilee, is still debated by archaeologists.
- The Gospels do not name the mountain of the Transfiguration; an ancient Christian tradition identifies it with Mount Tabor.
- Peter's “Quo vadis?” encounter with Christ comes from the apocryphal Acts of Peter; Roman tradition places it on the Appian Way.
