Saint Peter was well-read.
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 . According to the gospels , Peter confessed Jesus as the Messiah , was part of Jesus 's inner circle , thrice denied Jesus and wept bitterly once he realised his deed , and preached on the day of Pentecost .