Ministry With Jesus. Peter was one of the earliest of Jesus’ disciples, being led to Jesus by Andrew, a disciple of John the Baptizer. (Joh 1:35-42) At this time Jesus gave him the name Cephas (Peter) (Joh 1:42; Mr 3:16), and the name was likely prophetic. Jesus, who was able to discern that Nathanael was a man “in whom there is no deceit,” could also discern Peter’s makeup. Peter, indeed, displayed rocklike qualities, especially after Jesus’ death and resurrection, becoming a strengthening influence on his fellow Christians.​—Joh 1:47, 48; 2:25; Lu 22:32.

its Semitic equivalent “Cephas” (perhaps related to the Heb. ke·phimʹ [rocks] used at Job 30:6; Jer 4:29),