Peter’s Confession
October 16, 2022
Commentary
Jesus traveled to the region of Caesarea Philippi (v. 13) where Baal and Augustus Caesar were worshipped as gods. Jesus used questions to teach His disciples. On this occasion, He asked, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Jesus has no interest in dispassionate, hypothetical views regarding His person and work. He wants to know what you think about Him. The disciples stated various opinions of the people: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Christ the Son of the living God.” Jesus loves it when we repeat back to him the truth that God has revealed to us. Hearing Peter’s statement of truth, Jesus blessed him and declared where Peter had gotten his truth: from the Father. Then Jesus said, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church” (v. 18). Catholics interpret this to mean that the rock is Peter who became bishop of Rome. They believe his leadership has been passed on to his successors from pope to pope. Protestants however believe that the rock refers to Jesus and that He is building His Church on Himself. This interpretation is consistent with 1st Corinthians 3:11. Jesus promised to Peter the keys of the kingdom (vv. 19-20). This means that Peter would have the right to enter the kingdom himself, and preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers.
Then Jesus told His disciples that His death was near (v. 21). He would go to Jerusalem where He would suffer at the hands of the religious leaders and be killed. Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him (v. 22). He couldn’t understand how Jesus could be Messiah and yet die. Jesus rebuked Peter saying, “Get out of my way, Satan” (v. 23)! Peter had become a tool of Satan in a moment of doubt
Application
Today most people are willing to see Jesus as a great moral teacher, but they stop there. Who do you say that Jesus is?
Matthew 16:13– 23 (NET)
13 When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 They answered, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven! 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” 20 Then he instructed his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.
21 From that time on Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him: “God forbid, Lord! This must not happen to you!” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but on man’s.”