Though not included in the lectionary passage, verse 21 of this week’s Gospel begins with the words “From that time on” (Gk. Ἀπὸ τότε). Jesus predicts his death, rebukes Peter and, then, He says that His followers must deny themselves and take up their own cross. Recall, this question that Jesus posed in the previous Gospel, “Who do the people say that I am?” The disciples answered that some said He was a prophet, or someone like Elijah or Jeremiah. And Jesus then made the question more direct and personal asking them, “But what about you?” – “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answered for the others, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Peter got it exactly right. He received high praise from Jesus, and Jesus called him the rock or kephas.
Things appear at a high point, which looks like the pinnacle of success for the public activity of Jesus and for Peter as a disciple. Yet, then you get to this week’s passage and the opening verse (Mt 16:21), where things take an abrupt and startling turn – with those omitted words “from this time on…” Jesus goes on to say that He is going to suffer and die. Peter rebukes Jesus, and then Jesus rebukes Peter. This is some of the harshest language Jesus ever used. He calls Peter Satan! When Peter publicly proclaimed “you are the Christ,” Jesus pointed out that this was not from his lips, but was a revelation given to Peter from the Father. When Peter privately said, “God forbid that you should suffer,” Jesus notes that the source of that rebuke was from Peter himself and not divine in origin. And what was even worse, this merely human opinion was being used by a diabolic manipulator to tempt the Lord to choose comfort and honor over suffering and sacrifice.
At times, Jesus did use some very colorful language with the Pharisees and other Jewish religious leaders who were opposed to Him. He described them as hypocrites, blind leaders of the blind, and even a brood of vipers, but He never called them Satan! Peter expressed concern for His friend and master Jesus. Peter did not want Him to suffer and die. On the surface, this appears to be an admirable concern, yet, notice that the Gospel says that Peter rebuked Jesus—rebuke (Gk. ἐπιτιμᾶν or epitiman) is a strong word that literally means to warn by instruction. Peter’s intentions may have been noble, but rebuking God is never a good idea.
Praise and success can build our confidence in a healthy way, but it can also go to our head. You have to wonder if the praise that Peter had earlier received for recognizing Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, went to his head – and made him presumptuous. Perhaps this offers some words of caution for each of us: Our victories and defeats in life can come back to back. Our rising can lead to our falling. We get praised or experience success, and it inflates our ego. The Bible also warns us that pride goes before a fall (Prov 16:18). And the opposite way of wording that could be “Humility keeps us safe.”
Nature and dignity 