Saint Peter is referenced in a religious text.
The Gospel According to Mark ( τὸ κατὰ Μᾶρκον εὐαγγέλιον , to kata Markon euangelion ) , the second book of the New Testament , is one of the four canonical gospels and the three synoptic gospels . Saint Peter ( Syriac/Aramaic : ܫܸܡܥܘܿܢ ܟܹ݁ܐܦ݂ܵܐ , Shemayon Keppa , שמעון בר יונה , Πέτρος , according to the New Testament , was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ , leaders of the early Christian Great Church . The New Testament indicates that Peter was the son of John ( or Jonah or Jona ) and was from the village of Bethsaida in the province of Galilee or Gaulanitis . The Gospel of Mark was traditionally thought to show the influence of Peter 's preaching and eyewitness memories . The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported in the New Testament when Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant in glory upon a mountain .