Cephas

Cephas is a name of Aramaic origin meaning rock or stone. It is the form of the name Kepha (or Kepha) and is commonly translated in English as Cephas. In the New Testament, Cephas is used as the original name given to the apostle Simon Peter, highlighting the close link between Peter’s identity and the rock imagery associated with his role.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus renames Simon as Cephas: You are Simon son of John; you shall be called Cephas, which is translated Peter. This Aramaic designation aligns with Peter’s prominent position in the early church and with the Greek form Petros used in other New Testament writings. The pairing of Cephas with Peter appears in various textual traditions to indicate the same person, Peter the Apostle, who plays a leading role in the spread of early Christianity.

In Paul’s letters, Cephas is often used to refer to Peter, reflecting early Christian usage of the name. For example, some passages record discussions about followers of Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, signaling Peter’s recognized leadership within the apostolic circle. The use of Cephas alongside Peter underscores both the historical memory of Peter’s role and the linguistic diversity of early Christian communities.

Today, Cephas is primarily encountered in biblical scholarship and translations, where it appears as the Aramaic form of Peter’s name. Kepha remains a common name in some Eastern Christian and contemporary contexts, preserving the original linguistic root of the term.