Simeon Bar Jonah, Called Kepha

Simeon and his companions returned from another night of fishing on the Kinneret without catching anything. As they stood on the shore washing their nets, Yeshua got into Simeon’s boat and asked him to move a little way from land. From there, he sat and taught the people gathered by the water.

When he finished speaking, Yeshua told Simeon to go into deep water and let down the nets. Simeon reminded him that they had worked all night and caught nothing. Still, he said: if you say so, I will let down the nets.

This time they caught so many fish that the nets began to tear. Simeon and his companions signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help. They filled both boats until they nearly sank under the weight of the fish.

When Simeon Kepha saw what had happened, he fell at Yeshua’s feet and said he was not worthy to stand beside him. He and everyone with him were astonished at the catch. So were Yaakov and Yochanan, the sons of Zavdai and Simeon’s partners. Yeshua told Simeon not to fear: from now on he would catch people. They brought the boats ashore, left everything, and followed him.

Some time later, near Caesarea Philippi, Yeshua asked his disciples who people said he was. They gave various answers: Yochanan the Immerser, Eliyahu, Yirmeyahu, or one of the prophets. Then he asked them directly: and you, who do you say I am?

Simeon Kepha answered: you are the Mashiach, the Son of the living God. Yeshua addressed him by name, Simeon Bar Jonah, and said this answer had not come from flesh and blood but from his Father in heaven. Then he said: you are Kepha, and on this rock I will build my community. He gave him the keys of the kingdom of heaven and spoke of what would be forbidden and what would be permitted.