Peter’s theology was influenced by his experiences with Jesus, which includes his vision of the transfiguration (2 Peter 1:16–21). Peter’s theological perspective emerged from his direct experiences as a disciple. His witness of Christ’s transfiguration, passion, and resurrection likely contributed to his well-developed trinitarian theology (1 Pet 1:2) and his distinctive view of suffering (1 Pet 5:1).

Apostle Peter plays a central role in the Gospel books and Acts until Acts 12. From that point on, Peter takes a backseat role in the story of the New Testament. So what happened to Peter at the end of his story?

In this brief article, I fill in the picture of Peter’s life after Acts 12 to help complete the portrait of this apostle’s life.

Peter: Married Missionary

According to Paul, Peter not only was married, but he also took his wife with him on his missionary journeys (1 Cor 9:5). When Peter left Jerusalem in Acts 12:17, he likely took his wife and family with him: “Then he departed and went to another place.” Although Peter left Jerusalem as his regular residence, he could still return to the city as Acts 15 shows.

Although Galatians 2:7-9 indicates that Peter “had been entrusted with the gospel to the circumcised,” nothing in this text should make us believe that he exclusively ministered to Jews. Acts 10 shows him sharing the Gospel with Gentiles, and his First Epistle also includes Gentiles in its audience.

Likely, Paul has in mind Peter’s original call by Jesus—not that Peter would never preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. Acts 10 and then later Acts 15 show how long it took for Jewish believers like Peter to open their eyes to the importance of preaching the Gospel to Gentiles as well as Jews.

Peter: Apostle and Pillar

As the Spirit led the church into wider and wider circles, Peter made his way to Rome where he eventually died.

Historical records indicate that Peter ministered in Rome. Tertullian speaks of Peter ordaining Clement of Rome, speaking of “the Roman Church that Clement was ordained thereto by Peter” (Prescription §32). Irenaeus of Lyon (180 AD) also confirms Peter’s presence in Rome, writing: “Matthew also issued a written Gospel among the Hebrews in their own dialect, while Peter and Paul were preaching at Rome and laying the foundations of the Church” (AH 3.1.1).

That Peter went to Rome matters. Peter was an apostle of the Lord and the recognized leader among the apostles. He stood as one of three pillars of the early church alongside James and John (Gal 2:9).

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