The 153rd Mentions of Peter and Paul in the Bible

Summary

Peter and Paul are each mentioned in 153 verses each in the King James Bible.

Within those 153 verses, the 153rd mention of Peter is in Galatians 2:7, when Paul is describing him as having the gospel of the circumcision committed unto him. Or in other words, Peter is the head fisher of the Jews.

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; Galatians 2:7

The number 153 is directly connected with the gospel, since it is the number of fishes caught in the miraculous catch of John 21. In the beginning of his ministry, Jesus said he would make his disciples fishers of men, and that they would “catch men”. Peter was the one who drew the net of 153 fishes to shore in John 21:11.

Paul the Apostle’s 153rd mention is located in Titus 1:1, closely followed by the phrase “…his word through preaching, which is committed unto me…”

Titus – Chapter 1
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;
4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

This mirrors the 153rd mention of Peter in Galatians 2:7 – how “the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;”

Furthermore, the 153rd mention of Paul is addressed to Titus; in fact it’s the very first word of his Epistle to Titus. Back in Galatians 2:7, Paul is talking in context of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles with Titus.

Galatians – Chapter 2
1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also.
2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.
3 But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised:
4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me:
7 But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:)

The pattern comes full circle: the gospel to the Jews was committed unto Peter (mentioned in 153 verses, 153rd mention in Galatians 2:7), and the gospel to the Gentiles was committed unto Paul (mentioned in 153 verses, 153rd mention in Titus 1:1 with the same phrase “committed unto me” cross referencing back to Galatians 2:1-8).