Photo shows remains of Peter's house at Capernaum which was a town on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. The town probably had a few hundred people when Jesus moved from Nazareth to Capernaum where he began his ministry. Capernaum had a synagogue built for the Jews by a Roman Centurion. Luke tells us that one day the elders of the Jews approached Jesus and urged him to heal the centurion's servant because "he loves our nation and has built the synagogue for us". (Lk 7:4) Despite its smallness it was important enough for a detachment of Roman soldiers to be stationed there. The village was a crossroad for many travelers leaving and entering the Tetrarchy of Herod Antipas. Simon lived here with his mother in law and Andrew his brother. The remains of his home are still seen today (right photo). He owned a boat and made a living along with his brother by fishing.

One day John the Baptist was with two of his disciples when he saw Jesus passing by. John pointed to Jesus saying: "Behold the Lamb of God". (Jn 1:36) This expression must have reminded them of the paschal lamb whose blood saved Israel and of Isaiah's suffering-servant who was lead like a lamb to the slaughter as a sin offering. The two disciples began following Jesus who invited them to see where he was staying. One of the two disciples was a fisherman named Andrew who became convinced that Jesus was the promised Messiah. At about four that afternoon, Andrew left, found his brother Simon and told him, "We have found the Messiah" which means the Anointed One. Andrew led his brother to Jesus who looked at him and said:

"You are Simon the son of John;
you shall be called Cephas"
(Jn 1:42)

Cephas (Kepha) in Aramaic means rock. Unlike water, a rock is solid and unchanging or stable. Here Christ is looking into the future destiny of Simon who would become a solid foundation of Christ's Church on Earth.

After this initial meeting Peter with other disciples remained with Jesus accompanying Him to Galilee (Marriage of Canaan), Judea, Jerusalem, Samaria and back to Galilee where for a short time Peter continued to labor as a fisherman. (New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia) One day Jesus was passing by the seashore of the Lake where he saw Peter and Andrew casting their nets into the sea. Jesus said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." (Mk 1:16) They left their nets and followed Jesus.

When they came to Capernaum on the Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue where he taught and cast out an evil spirit from a possessed man. " After he left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon's mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them."(Lk 1:38-39)

Primacy of Peter