This Week with the Word

The Uniform Lesson for July 27
Background & Commentary by Sam E. Stone

Today we complete the second month in our quarter’s study, “Images of Christ.” In June we considered descriptions of the Lord found in the book of Hebrews; July has featured images from the four Gospels; and next month we will consider various others from the epistle of James.

The scene for this lesson is Caesarea Philippi, near Mount Hermon in the northern Galilee area. It was named Caesarea to honor the Roman emperor and Philippi in honor of Herod’s son Philip, and to distinguish it from the other Caesarea on the Mediterranean coast. Jesus is well into his third and final year of ministry. On this occasion, He asks the disciples an all-important question: “Who do you say that I am?”

Promised Messiah/Matthew 16:13-15

Verse 13. When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” In this isolated area, away from the sometimes volatile crowds, he quizzed them.

Verse 14. They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Herod was among those who supposed he might be John the Baptist risen from the dead (Matthew 14:2). Others heard in his powerful preaching similarity to various Old Testament prophets. Many called him a prophet, yet they refused to heed his message, just as their forefathers had.

Verse 15. “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Literally Jesus said, “But you, who do you say that I am?” Every individual must answer this question for himself. The disciples had been given abundant time and opportunity in which to form a correct judgment.

Important Answer/Matthew 16:16, 17

Verse 16. Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter plainly identified Jesus as the Messiah, the Anointed One. He and the other disciples had been convinced by spending more than two years with Jesus. In spite of the defection of many Galileans (John 6:66), they would continue to stand with him. Peter believed!

Verse 17. Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Calling Peter by his full name, Jesus praised him for giving the right answer. This did not come through any human source, but from God (compare Galatians 1:16). “God revealed the truth to Peter in the words and works of Jesus” (McGarvey).

Resulting Promise/Matthew 16:18, 19

Verse 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 overcome it.” Mentioning the name he gave Peter soon after they met, Jesus used a play on words. “You are petros, and on this petra . . . .” Petros refers to a rock that you can pick up and throw; petra refers to a great, solid mass of rock.

Verse 19. “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bound on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Here is the scene: Jesus is the builder, Peter is holding the keys, and the great truth he has just confessed is the rock on which Christ’s church will stand throughout time. A key is used to unlock and open a door. Peter used the “keys of the kingdom” on the Day of Pentecost to permit believers to come into Christ’s kingdom, the church (Acts 2:36). He had the authority to tell people how to be cleansed from sin. A similar promise was given to the other apostles later (John 20:23).

Necessary Mission/Matthew 16:20-23

Verse 20. Then he warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. In the future Jesus would have them tell everyone the news (Matthew 28:18-20), but for now they should keep this fact to themselves. Jesus had more months of ministry ahead of him. He did not want to precipitate a crisis by stirring up the populace. The people (including the disciples) had been expecting a powerful military and political Messiah.

Verse 21. From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law. The Jewish Sanhedrin was composed of these three constituent groups. And that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Jesus began preparing the disciples for what was coming at the next Passover.

Verse 22. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” The incongruity is apparent. The disciple tells his Lord, “No!” Although prompted by great love, Peter’s words ran counter to God’s will.

Verse 23. Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” A few moments before, Peter received Christ’s highest commendation; now he hears his most solemn denunciation. The name Satan means “Adversary” and that is what Peter had become. The devil tried to get Jesus to turn away from Calvary before (Matthew 4:10). Plummer writes, “In Peter the banished Satan has once more returned.” |L

Sam E. Stone is the former editor of Christian Standard. He continues his writing and speaking ministry from his home in Cincinnati, Ohio.