JohnDB
Member
Matthew 16:13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by 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 overcome it.
19 I will give you the keys bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
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, the chief priests and the teachers of the law and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
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 concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
_________________________________________
Now...To explain this passage.
The location of Casarea Phillipi is noteworthy. The tetriarch Phillip rebuilt this city and renamed it after Caesar. It's at the base of Mount Hermon where one of the three springs that feeds the Jordan River before the Sea of Galilee is formed.
The Romans had a habit of puting a shrine to one of the Pantheon of their gods at each spring. This one was once a "Baal" type God but when rebuilt it was to an "Ashera" type fertility god named Pan.
The spring came out of the rocks with such force that it was said (by the Romans) that the Styx River itself fed this spring.
This place had a reputation for being the "World's Largest Outdoor Orgy"
The action timing of this passage was around "November". About 6 months before Jesus would be crucified. The Apostles have been with Jesus for three long and hard working years. Becoming holy, relearning scripture, watching miracles, performing miracles and preaching in poetry. It probably hurt their feelings to even be in this place at this point in the ministry.
Notice Peter's answer to Jesus' question in verse 13.
The three prophets that Peter mentioned were known for their passion and single-mindedness. They all faced incredible opposition to their passion but never once quit or pulled a punch. This "purity of thought" can be referred to as "holy of heart" (yes, a beatitude). But what is relevant is that people thought this very same attitude of these prophets was evident in Jesus... Giving us an insight into his personality.
Peter, as spokesman for the group, is handed the next question consistent with giving answers is a moment of "out of character" for Peter. Peter has been anything but a rock. He has been more of a jello on a hot day for his entire apostolic career. And in verse 23 we see Peter being his "normal self" once again. Peter is never one to be shy about speaking his mind.
An important thing to notice isn't what Peter says...It's what isn't said. (Hint: the orgy in the background)
This is a major part of why Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek for stone, Hebrew for Maternal first born) is now earning his name.
But what else is Peter saying?
That Jesus, the Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man (Greek/Gentile reference to God) is personable, wants to know us on a personal level...Wants to just hang out with us, give us wonderful gifts and wants us to know Him on a personal level too. And that this telling of God's goodness and loving kindness in the face of total self indulgent obvious sin is the rock that Jesus claims that this "ecclesia"/Church is going to be built upon.
The gates of any Ancient Near East city was the most fortified portion of the wall that surrounded it. It was the last place any commander would send his troops. A city gate complex could easily swallow and kill an entire legion and not hurt the city's defenses.
But Jesus said that this message can defeat the gates of death.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE....
Jesus now says that He is going to hand them out the keys to the Kingdom to them.
That they now don't just get access to Heaven but the storerooms of treasure, power, and resources. (Limitless supplies)
Then tells them that because they understand this "good news" message they now have the authority to declare what a sin is. (Before this time only a Schmeekah Rabbi, the highest religious authority, could do this)
Then told not to say anything about Jesus being the Messiah. This is in direct opposition to Alexander the Great. Alex one day declared himself to be a god while alive and demanded his soldiers all to bow down to him and require others to do the same upon penalty of death.
Peter then listens to Jesus talk about his death and resurrection which makes no sense at all to Peter.
Peter ain't having it either.
He, like so many others, would die to protect his God.
That's when Jesus tries to explain to Peter..."But that's why I am here and you just said that I am God"
Jesus then explained that being one of his followers/telmahdeem was about self sacrifice... Giving up glory and honor and money and privilege. They may have access to the storerooms of Heaven but that they shouldn't expect to be wealthy on earth.
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by 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 overcome it.
19 I will give you the keys bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
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, the chief priests and the teachers of the law and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
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 concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
_________________________________________
Now...To explain this passage.
The location of Casarea Phillipi is noteworthy. The tetriarch Phillip rebuilt this city and renamed it after Caesar. It's at the base of Mount Hermon where one of the three springs that feeds the Jordan River before the Sea of Galilee is formed.
The Romans had a habit of puting a shrine to one of the Pantheon of their gods at each spring. This one was once a "Baal" type God but when rebuilt it was to an "Ashera" type fertility god named Pan.
The spring came out of the rocks with such force that it was said (by the Romans) that the Styx River itself fed this spring.
This place had a reputation for being the "World's Largest Outdoor Orgy"
The action timing of this passage was around "November". About 6 months before Jesus would be crucified. The Apostles have been with Jesus for three long and hard working years. Becoming holy, relearning scripture, watching miracles, performing miracles and preaching in poetry. It probably hurt their feelings to even be in this place at this point in the ministry.
Notice Peter's answer to Jesus' question in verse 13.
The three prophets that Peter mentioned were known for their passion and single-mindedness. They all faced incredible opposition to their passion but never once quit or pulled a punch. This "purity of thought" can be referred to as "holy of heart" (yes, a beatitude). But what is relevant is that people thought this very same attitude of these prophets was evident in Jesus... Giving us an insight into his personality.
Peter, as spokesman for the group, is handed the next question consistent with giving answers is a moment of "out of character" for Peter. Peter has been anything but a rock. He has been more of a jello on a hot day for his entire apostolic career. And in verse 23 we see Peter being his "normal self" once again. Peter is never one to be shy about speaking his mind.
An important thing to notice isn't what Peter says...It's what isn't said. (Hint: the orgy in the background)
This is a major part of why Cephas (Aramaic) or Peter (Greek for stone, Hebrew for Maternal first born) is now earning his name.
But what else is Peter saying?
That Jesus, the Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man (Greek/Gentile reference to God) is personable, wants to know us on a personal level...Wants to just hang out with us, give us wonderful gifts and wants us to know Him on a personal level too. And that this telling of God's goodness and loving kindness in the face of total self indulgent obvious sin is the rock that Jesus claims that this "ecclesia"/Church is going to be built upon.
The gates of any Ancient Near East city was the most fortified portion of the wall that surrounded it. It was the last place any commander would send his troops. A city gate complex could easily swallow and kill an entire legion and not hurt the city's defenses.
But Jesus said that this message can defeat the gates of death.
BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE....
Jesus now says that He is going to hand them out the keys to the Kingdom to them.
That they now don't just get access to Heaven but the storerooms of treasure, power, and resources. (Limitless supplies)
Then tells them that because they understand this "good news" message they now have the authority to declare what a sin is. (Before this time only a Schmeekah Rabbi, the highest religious authority, could do this)
Then told not to say anything about Jesus being the Messiah. This is in direct opposition to Alexander the Great. Alex one day declared himself to be a god while alive and demanded his soldiers all to bow down to him and require others to do the same upon penalty of death.
Peter then listens to Jesus talk about his death and resurrection which makes no sense at all to Peter.
Peter ain't having it either.
He, like so many others, would die to protect his God.
That's when Jesus tries to explain to Peter..."But that's why I am here and you just said that I am God"
Jesus then explained that being one of his followers/telmahdeem was about self sacrifice... Giving up glory and honor and money and privilege. They may have access to the storerooms of Heaven but that they shouldn't expect to be wealthy on earth.
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