The meaning of Jonas (2) in the Bible
(From International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

jo'-nas (yonah, or yochanan; Iona):

(1) The name given in Matthew 12:39-41; Matthew 16:4; Luke 11:29-32 the King James Version to the Old Testament prophet Jonah (the Revised Version (British and American) renders "Jonah").

See JONAH.

(2) (Ioanes): The name given in John 21:15-16 the King James Version to the father of the apostle Simon Peter. Nothing further is known of him, except the different forms of his name. In John 1:42 the King James Version he is called Jona (compare also Matthew 16:17 the King James Version). In John 1:42; John 21:15-16 the Revised Version (British and American) he is called John, with the marginal note "Gr Joanes." In Matthew 16:17 the Revised Version (British and American) Simon Peter is called Simon Bar-Jonah.

Jonas may be a contraction for Joanes (Keim). It has also been suggested that the father of Simon may have had a double name, Jona-Johannes (compare F. H. Chase in HDB, article "John, father of Simon Peter").

C. M. Kerr

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