Faith
Where did Peter Go from Jerusalem
The Bible does not provide specific information except saying he “went to another place” and we may assume that he continued his service to the Lord in that unspecified place.
May 17, 2023By Thangchinllian Guite
Herod Agrippa I arrested Peter and James the son of Zebedee in AD 40. Though James was killed, Peter had a miraculous escape from the prison (Acts 12:1—10). He hurried at night to the house where the believers were praying for his release, “motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. ‘Tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this,’ he said, and then he left for another place” (Acts 12:17).
He turns up in the first Jerusalem council that was held around A. D. 50 (Acts 15:17) and then disappears from the Book of Acts completely. There is no mention of Peter after the Jerusalem Council. So, where was he for the six years between the miraculous deliverance from the prison in Jerusalem and his cameo appearance in A. D. 50?
The Bible does not provide specific information except saying he “went to another place” and we may assume that he continued his service to the Lord in that unspecified place.
During this period James the brother of Jesus had rose to prominence in the church in Jerusalem though he was not one of the twelve that Jesus had appointed. James’ rise to prominence indicate that Peter was not all in any location in or around Jerusalem during this period.
The Catholics believe that he went to Rome and became the first Pope of the church. The other historical churches does not seem to have a problem with this though they may not agree that papacy had its origin with Peter.
Michael Grant examined eight arguments that support Peter being in Rome to conclude that “despite such reasons for skepticism, there is a large measure of agreement that Peter did go to Rome.” So, the place where Peter fled for safety after his release from Jerusalem prison is still being debated. Besides Rome, some people suggest Antioch, or a city near Jerusalem like Lydda or Joppa.
The fact that after six years he turns up in the Jerusalem Council to speak in support of mission to Gentiles indicate two undeniable facts—first he was active in the mission that the Lord called him to, second, he was reaching out to Gentiles, wherever he was.
[Photo: Marina Gr]
