Charles Spurgeon Commentary John 1:42

"He brought him unto Jesus. Jesus looked upon him, and said, Thou art Simon the son of John: thou shalt be called Cephas (which is by interpretation, Peter)." — John 1:42 (ASV)

Thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, a stone.

Something more solid than the son of a pigeon; something more stable than the son of a dove. Christ changes men's names, and changes their natures, too. He can make the most fickle of us to become firm and steadfast. Oh, that he would thus work by his grace upon us!

And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jona:

"Simon, son of a dove, your name may point you out as being timid; mind where you wing your flight."

And when Jesus beheld him, he said, You are Simon the son of Jona: you shall be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

There was a meaning in the change of names, for there was about to be a change of character – the timid son of a dove soon to become a very rock for the Church.