"Cephas, Rock, rendered into Greek by Πέτρος, Jn. 1:42; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Gal. 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14*"
Definition and meaning
Cephas, Rock, rendered into Greek by Πέτρος, Jn. 1:42; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Gal. 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14*
In the original Greek the word is written: Κηφᾶς
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of kephas (G2786) across the King James Bible.
And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.
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Common questions
Strong's G2786 (kephas) is a Greek word that means: Cephas, Rock, rendered into Greek by Πέτρος, Jn. 1:42; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Gal. 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word kephas (G2786) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2786 is kephas, a Greek word defined as: Cephas, Rock, rendered into Greek by Πέτρος, Jn. 1:42; 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:22; 9:5; 15:5; Gal. 1:18; 2:9, 11, 14*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
kephas is a Greek word found in the New Testament.