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More Matthew commentaries
Matthew 13:1-9
Teaching in Parables
Matthew 13:10-17
The Secret Message
Matthew 13:18-30
The Weeds among the Wheat
Matthew 13:31-35
The Growth of Christendom
Matthew 13:36-43
The Judgement Day
Matthew 13:44-52
The Kingdom of Heaven
Matthew 13:53-58
Rejected in His Home Town
Matthew 14:1-12
Herod Antipas’ False Assumption
Matthew 14:13-21
Steps to Problem Solving
Matthew 14:22-36
The Storms of Life
Matthew 15:1-20
Ritual over Relationship
Matthew 15:21-28
The Persistant Gentile Woman
Matthew 15:29-39
Caring for the Gentile Crowd
Matthew 16:1-12
The Religious Leader’s Demand
Matthew 16:13-20
Peter’s Confession
Matthew 16:21-28
Surrender to the Cross
Matthew 17:1-13
The Transfiguration
Matthew 17:14-23
Healing of the Epileptic Son
Matthew 17:24-27
Jesus Pays the Temple Tax
Matthew 18:1-9
The Need for Humility
Matthew 18:10-14
New Babes in Christ
Matthew 18:15-20
Steps to Church Discipline
Matthew 19:1-8
Is Devorce Permisable?
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Surrender to the Cross
Matthew 16:21–28
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
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Jesus explained to His disciples that His death was near (v. 21). He explained how it would be necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem where He would suffer many things at the hands of the religious leaders, and eventually He would be killed.
Peter hearing these things, took the Lord aside and began to rebuke Him (v. 22). Though he spoke in private, Peter may have had the support of the others on this occasion. He could not understand how Jesus could be Messiah and yet die at the hands of the religious leaders. Until he was filled with the Spirit, he had a tendency to argue with God’s Word.
Peter had become an instrument of Satan, trying to persuade Jesus from becoming the Redeemer. Jesus rebuked Peter by saying “Get out of my way, Satan” (v. 23)! It is very sobering to see how a person as close to the Lord as Peter was, could so easily become an instrument of Satan.
The Lord goes on to show that discipleship involves a cost (vv. 24-26). He uses the phrase, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (v.24). To deny self does not necessarily mean to give up things but to give yourself wholly to Christ and identify in His shame and death (vv. 27-28). To take up a cross does not mean to carry burdens or have problems. It simply means making oneself completely available to the master. True disciples have the promise of full reward at His coming (v. 27).
Application
How would I describe my response to Jesus’ call to discipleship? (1) I can identify with Peter, (2) I’ve got a long way to go, (3) I’m doing everything I know right now.
Matthew 16:21-28 (English Standard Version)
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you." But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway) »
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