Peter and his brother Andrew were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee and were the first two disciples to follow Jesus. After Pentecost, Peter became the leader of the apostles and travelled through Palestine and Asia Minor where he worked multiple miracles and converted many followers.

His denial progresses from a plea of ignorance, to a denial plus an oath and then to cursing and swearing with a total denial that he ever knew Jesus. The significance of three denials lies in its superlative force; it underscores the disciple's resolve to deny Jesus (see Biblical numerology).

The idea that Peter was married is in the New Testament itself. According to Mark, Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law in Capernaum. We don't hear anything about Peter having children in the New Testament but there's no reason to think that he didn't.