Barjona is a name found in the King James Bible, appearing 1 time in the text.
Who This Was
Barjona is a surname or descriptive name applied to Simon Peter, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. The name appears only once in the King James Bible, in Matthew 16:17, where Jesus addresses Peter directly: “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” According to the source note, Barjona means “son of Jonah,” identifying Peter by his lineage.
The setting is a pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry. Jesus had asked His disciples who people said He was, and then who they themselves believed Him to be. Simon Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus responded by pronouncing a blessing upon him, calling him “Simon Barjona,” and declaring that this revelation had not come from flesh and blood but from the Father in heaven.
In this passage, Peter is portrayed as the recipient of divine revelation. Jesus affirms that Peter’s confession of faith was not the product of human reasoning or instruction but was given to him by God the Father. The use of the name Barjona here is significant in that it ties Peter to his natural heritage—he is the son of Jonah—while Jesus simultaneously highlights the supernatural origin of his spiritual insight. Scripture records no further action or speech from Peter under this specific name, as Barjona is used only in this single verse. The name serves to identify Peter personally and to emphasize the contrast between his human lineage and the heavenly revelation he received.
The Name
The name Barjona is of Aramaic origin and is widely understood to mean “son of Jonah” or “son of John.” The prefix “Bar” in Aramaic means “son of,” and it is paired here with the name Jonah (or Joannes/John in some traditions). The source note confirms this meaning: Barjona, meaning “son of Jonah.” This type of patronymic naming was common in Jewish culture, where individuals were often identified by their father’s name. In John 21:15-17, Jesus addresses Peter as “Simon, son of Jonas,” which aligns with this understanding. The meaning of the name is well established and not a matter of speculation. It identifies Peter’s earthly father and roots him in a specific family line, even as the passage in Matthew highlights his heavenly calling.
A Closing Thought
Barjona reminds us that our earthly identity—our family name, our background, our lineage—is not the whole story of who we are. Peter was Simon Barjona, a son of Jonah, a fisherman from Galilee. Yet Jesus saw beyond that and spoke of a revelation that came from the Father in heaven. In the same way, our natural heritage, however meaningful, does not define our spiritual standing. What matters most is whether we, like Peter, confess Jesus as the Christ. That confession is not something we manufacture; it is a gift from God. May we receive it with humility and gratitude, knowing that our truest identity is found not in our bloodline but in our faith.
At a Glance
- Gender: Male
- Testament: New
- Mentions in the KJV: 1
Where It Appears in Scripture
- Matthew 16:17 — And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.