In these examples from Genesis, we can see the significance of a name change. When birthparents name a child, they have the authority to do so. But if another voice pronounces a new name for a person, it must be that the former has an even greater authority over the latter. And certainly God has the authority to call Abram “Abraham” and Sarai “Sarah” and Jacob “Israel.”

The name “Cephas” (or “Peter”) came from Jesus’s pronouncement. Do you know that story?

In John 1, the reader gets a glimpse of Jesus’s early disciples. In John 1:35–42, we read of “two disciples” of John the Baptist who follow Jesus after John says, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” (1:35–37).

One of those disciples was Andrew (John 1:40), though we don’t know the other one’s name. [Perhaps it was John the apostle?] The two disciples wanted to know where Jesus was staying, and they accompanied Jesus for the evening (1:39). After spending some time there, Andrew searched for his brother Simon, who was apparently in the vicinity (1:41).

Andrew told Simon, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41). We can plausibly assert that Andrew and Simon—along with other faithful Jews—were preoccupied with the coming of the Messiah. They were searching for him, looking for possible clues and signs that suggested his arrival. Now, at last, Simon hears the good news from his brother: “We have found the Messiah.”

Andrew brings Simon to Jesus (John 1:42a), which makes sense. Simon would have been curious, especially given his brother Andrew’s enthusiasm.

What Jesus does next, however, is stunning. He tells Simon, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (John 1:42). The word “Cephas” is Aramaic for “rock.” And the Greek equivalent is where we get the name “Peter.” So “Cephas” and “Peter” are from the Aramaic and Greek words denoting “rock.”

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