Knowing The Word in Matthew 16:21-23

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time Jesus began [we have started a new section, the third and final section that covers the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Messiah] to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem [why this city and not another?] and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes [these are the three groups that make up the Sanhedrin, the highest court in Israel], and be killed, and on the third day be raised [passive tense, meaning God must do it for him]. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke [to give a stern warning, a talking to] him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord [may God be gracious to you]! This shall never happen to you.” [Peter is horrified by this unorthodox notion of Messiahship and also for the fate of his master and probably his own fate as well. He cannot grasp that God would use a disaster like this for his purposes.] 23 But he turned [not only to Peter but the other disciples as well] and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! [As Peter’s former pronouncement was inspired by God, this one is from Satan. Peter is being cast in Satan’s role as the tempter.] You are a hindrance to me. [Peter has gone from a foundation rock to a stumbling block.] For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” [Peter’s thinking is not God inspired but inspired by natural human considerations.]