Matthew 16:21-28
Q.1. Why did Jesus foretell His death and resurrection at that time? How well did Peter understand Christ’s Messiahship? What did Jesus mean by His rebuke of Peter? – (Mt.16:21-23)
The Messiah (Hebrew: Mashiach & Greek: Christos) was the hope of Israel. He was portrayed as the royal Son of David, and the Restorer and Redeemer of Israel. Jesus was well aware that the Jews were interested in a Messiah who would conquer the Romans, not a Messiah who would die. Yet, throughout the Old Testament, there are passages about a righteous Servant Who would suffer physical abuse, mockery, derision, rejection and finally death. This suffering Servant, though pure from sin Himself, would be wounded on account of the sins of the people. Through His own suffering and death, the people of God would be healed. This teaching is prevalent in the Psalms and the Suffering Servant songs (Ps.22:1,6-8, 11-21; Isa.42:1-7; 49:1-6; 50:4-9; 52:13-53:12). Jesus had to expand on the commonly held view of the Messiah and reveal His need to die. – 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 be raised up on the third day (Mt.16:21). The Gospel says that Jesus tried many times to prepare them for His suffering and death. (c.f. Mk.8:31-32; 9:12; 10:32-34). Peter had just received high praise from His Master when he acknowledged that Jesus was this ‘Anointed One’. However, this rebuke showed that he too held to the commonly held view about the Messiah. It is perhaps not surprising that he took Jesus aside saying – … God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You (Mt.16:22). Jesus opposed Peter’s perception and replied – … Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s (Mt.16:23). This shows how easily we can be led by the Holy Spirit one moment and deceived by Satan the next. Peter, like the Jews, was protecting his cherished views of the Messiah, rather than understanding Whom Jesus really was, and why He came to earth.
Q.2. What are the demands of following Jesus? Is it worth the cost of being His disciple? Where does our focus need to be? What did Jesus mean about His coming kingdom? – (Mt.16:24-28)
The Gospel writers stated that after preparing His disciples to accept His own suffering, Jesus then also spoke of a cross for those who would follow Him – 24 … If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it (Mt.16:24-25 c.f. Mk.8:31-32; Lk.9:32-34). This means putting yourself last and sacrificing your life for Christ and His kingdom. Is it worth paying such a high price? Jesus asserted – For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Mt.16:26). We must keep our eyes on the prize – For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels and will then repay every man according to his deeds (Mt.16:27 c.f. 1 Cor.3:10-15). Jesus then gave a prophecy to the disciples – Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom (Mt.16:28). Whatever did He mean? Both Mark and Luke recorded that Jesus predicted that they would – see the kingdom of God (Lk.9:27) … come in power (Mk.9:1). The three synoptic writers all connect this to the Transfiguration of Jesus which occurred six to eight days later (Mt.17:1-8; Mk.9:2-8; Lk.9:28-36). N.B. Confusion is caused by the division of the script into chapters and verses, which were not in the original manuscripts. These separated these incidents which were connected. Certainly Peter, James, and John had a clearer understanding that Jesus was the King of the Kingdom of Heaven, after His Transfiguration (Mt.17:1-13).