OpenTheo

Q&A#114 Why is the Apostle Peter Called Simon Bar-Jonah?

Alastair Roberts

Q&A#114 Why is the Apostle Peter Called Simon Bar-Jonah?

March 9, 2019
Alastair Roberts
Alastair Roberts

Today's question: "I found it odd that Jesus would address Peter as "Simon bar-Jonah" after his declaration of Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:17) -- not because it's uncommon for men to be referred to as "the son of" someone in the biblical text, but because the occurrence takes place so soon (in the text) after Jesus' declaration that the only sign that the "wicked and adulterous generation" would receive was "the sign of [what I assume to be the prophet] Jonah" (16:4). Do you see anything beyond the coincidental double appearance of the name Jonah here?"

See my recent article on Boat Stories for more on some of the themes I discuss here: https://theopolisinstitute.com/article/boat-stories.

My blog for my podcasts and videos is found here: https://adversariapodcast.com/.

If you have any questions, you can leave them on my Curious Cat account: https://curiouscat.me/zugzwanged.

If you have enjoyed these talks, please tell your friends and consider supporting me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/zugzwanged. You can also support me using my PayPal account: https://bit.ly/2RLaUcB.

The audio of all of my videos is available on my Soundcloud account: https://soundcloud.com/alastairadversaria. You can also listen to the audio of these episodes on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/alastairs-adversaria/id1416351035?mt=2.

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditCopy Link

Transcript

More From Alastair Roberts

Phyllis Chesler, A Politically Incorrect Feminist
Phyllis Chesler, A Politically Incorrect Feminist
Alastair Roberts
March 10, 2019
In this video I discuss Phyllis Chesler's riveting memoir of second wave feminism, A Politically Incorrect Feminist. Buy a copy here: https://amzn.to/
The Family of Abraham: Part 5—Cutting a Covenant
The Family of Abraham: Part 5—Cutting a Covenant
Alastair Roberts
March 11, 2019
Within this video, I discuss Genesis 15, with God's cutting of a covenant with Abram, an unusual vision, and declaration of the future events of the E
The Family of Abraham: Part 6—Hagar and a New Fall
The Family of Abraham: Part 6—Hagar and a New Fall
Alastair Roberts
March 12, 2019
Within this video, I explore how the story of Hagar in Genesis 16 is an anticipation of bondage in Egypt and a repetition of the Fall. For more on Ex
Why Does The Modern World Care So Much About Equality (and what does Scripture say about it)?
Why Does The Modern World Care So Much About Equality (and what does Scripture say about it)?
Alastair Roberts
March 8, 2019
Today's question: "Why is equality such an important ideal (given good) in modern society? What are some underlying causes and how does the gospel she
The Family of Abraham: Part 4—Defeating the Kings, Rescuing Lot, Meeting Melchizedek
The Family of Abraham: Part 4—Defeating the Kings, Rescuing Lot, Meeting Melchizedek
Alastair Roberts
March 7, 2019
In the fourth part of my series on Abraham and his family, I discuss Genesis 14, with Abram's victory over the kings, his encounter with Melchizedek,
The Family of Abraham: Part 3—Exodus from Egypt and the Departure of Lot
The Family of Abraham: Part 3—Exodus from Egypt and the Departure of Lot
Alastair Roberts
March 6, 2019
In the third part of my study of the story of Abraham and his family, I discuss Abram's sojourn in the land of Egypt, his journeys in Canaan, and his
More From "Alastair Roberts"

More on OpenTheo

What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?
What Do You Think About Churches Advertising on Social Media?
#STRask
January 19, 2026
Questions about whether there’s an issue with churches advertising on social media, whether it’s weird if we pray along with a YouTuber, and whether C
How Do We Advocate for Christian Policy Without Making the Government Interfere in Every Area of Life?
How Do We Advocate for Christian Policy Without Making the Government Interfere in Every Area of Life?
#STRask
November 20, 2025
Questions about how to advocate for Christian policy without making the government interfere in every area of life, and the differences between the mo
Shouldn’t I Be Praying for My Soul Rather Than for Material Things?
Shouldn’t I Be Praying for My Soul Rather Than for Material Things?
#STRask
February 2, 2026
Questions about whether we should be praying for our souls rather than for material things, why we need to pray about decisions, whether the devil can
Sense, Sensibility, and Adam Smith with Jan Van Vliet
Sense, Sensibility, and Adam Smith with Jan Van Vliet
Life and Books and Everything
February 16, 2026
This year is a special anniversary for the United States as Americans celebrate 250 years of independence. But 1776 was an important year in more ways
What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?
What About Those Who Never Heard the Name of Jesus?
#STRask
December 22, 2025
Questions about what will happen to those who never heard of Jesus or were brought up in a different faith, whether there’s biblical warrant to think
How Could One Person Trust Another Person on the Topic of God?
How Could One Person Trust Another Person on the Topic of God?
#STRask
March 5, 2026
Questions about how one person could trust another person on the topic of God, how STR obtained information about God that others haven’t obtained, an
How Should I Respond to an LGBTQ Person Who Says He Feels Good About Who He Is?
How Should I Respond to an LGBTQ Person Who Says He Feels Good About Who He Is?
#STRask
March 2, 2026
Questions about responding to an LGBTQ person who says he feels good about who he is, and whether—since we all have sin in our life we don’t consider
Why Is There No Effort Towards a Neutral Interpretation of Scripture?
Why Is There No Effort Towards a Neutral Interpretation of Scripture?
#STRask
March 9, 2026
Questions about why there is no effort towards a neutral interpretation of Scripture that doesn’t take denominational preferences into account, and ho
Can You Recommend Good Books with More In-Depth Information and Ideas?
Can You Recommend Good Books with More In-Depth Information and Ideas?
#STRask
January 22, 2026
Questions about good books on Christian apologetics, philosophy, and theology with more in-depth information and ideas, and resources to help an intel
Does God Really Need a “Pound of Flesh” to Forgive Sins?
Does God Really Need a “Pound of Flesh” to Forgive Sins?
#STRask
January 12, 2026
Questions about how to answer the challenge that God doesn’t need a “pound of flesh” to forgive sins but can simply forgive, and whether the claim in
Are You Accursed If You Tithe?
Are You Accursed If You Tithe?
#STRask
December 15, 2025
Questions about whether anyone who tithes is not a Christian and is accursed since Paul says that if you obey one part of the Mosaic Law you’re obliga
The Best of Times and the Worst of Times with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
The Best of Times and the Worst of Times with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen
Life and Books and Everything
March 10, 2026
If you don’t like freewheeling conversation, laughter, and banter among friends, then this may not be the episode for you. But if you are interested i
Does Open-Mindedness Require Studying Other Religions Before Becoming a Christian?
Does Open-Mindedness Require Studying Other Religions Before Becoming a Christian?
#STRask
February 9, 2026
Questions about the claim that if Christians really want to be open-minded, they need to read and study other religions before committing to Christian
Prove to Me That Jesus Is Not a Created Being
Prove to Me That Jesus Is Not a Created Being
#STRask
January 26, 2026
Questions about why we should think Jesus is not a created being, and what it means to say God became fully human if part of being human means not bei
How Do I Determine Which Topics at Work Are Worth Commenting On?
How Do I Determine Which Topics at Work Are Worth Commenting On?
#STRask
January 5, 2026
Questions about how to determine which topics at work are worth commenting on, and a good way to respond when you’re in a group Bible study and hear e