Matthew 16:22 - Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
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What does "Matthew 16:22" mean?
This verse in Matthew 16:22 is a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative, revealing Peter's misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the clash between human comfort and divine purpose. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context is Key: The verse comes right after Jesus reveals to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer greatly at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, be killed, and on the third day be raised to life (Matthew 16:21). This is the first explicit "passion prediction" in Matthew's Gospel.
Peter's Reaction: Peter, upon hearing this, takes Jesus "aside" - likely to speak privately and perhaps out of earshot of the other disciples. He then "began to rebuke him." The word "rebuke" is strong; it implies that Peter is scolding or correcting Jesus as if he knows better.
"Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you." This is the core of Peter's statement. In Greek, "Far be it from you!" is translated as "Hileōs soi, Kyrie" which means "God have mercy on you, Lord!" However, in this context, Peter isn't invoking God's mercy in a reverent way. It's more of a shocked exclamation, a forceful rejection of the idea. He is saying, essentially, "No way, Lord! This can't happen to you! I won't let it!" Peter's statement reflects his strong loyalty and affection for Jesus, but also a deep misunderstanding.
Meaning & Significance:
Misunderstanding of Messiah: Peter, like many Jews of his time, expected the Messiah to be a victorious king who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and establish a glorious earthly kingdom. The idea of a suffering and dying Messiah was completely foreign and unacceptable to him. He couldn't reconcile the idea of Jesus, the powerful miracle worker and prophesied Messiah, being subjected to such humiliation and death.
Human vs. Divine Perspective: Peter's response highlights the tension between human desires and God's will. Peter, driven by human affection and a desire to protect Jesus, tries to shield him from suffering. Jesus, however, knows that his suffering and death are essential for the salvation of humanity, according to the Father's will. Peter's perspective is rooted in earthly concerns, while Jesus' perspective is rooted in a divine, eternal purpose.
Temptation to Avoid Suffering: Peter's words inadvertently represent a temptation for Jesus to avoid the cross, to choose an easier path. It's a temptation to abandon his mission and avoid the pain and sacrifice required.
Foreshadowing: This verse foreshadows Peter's later denial of Jesus during the passion narrative. His inability to accept the idea of Jesus' suffering makes him vulnerable to fear and ultimately leads him to deny knowing Jesus.
Jesus' Strong Response: The verse is immediately followed by Jesus' sharp rebuke of Peter: "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.” (Matthew 16:23). This is an incredibly strong reaction, indicating the severity of Peter's misunderstanding and the danger of allowing human comfort to overshadow divine purpose.
In conclusion, Matthew 16:22 is a significant verse that reveals Peter's human perspective, his misunderstanding of Jesus' role as the suffering Messiah, and the tension between human desires and God's will. It sets the stage for Jesus' further teachings on the importance of suffering, sacrifice, and following him even unto death. It also serves as a warning against prioritizing earthly comfort over God's purpose.
Matthew 16:22 - Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
What does "Matthew 16:22" mean?
This verse in Matthew 16:22 is a pivotal moment in the Gospel narrative, revealing Peter's misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and the clash between human comfort and divine purpose. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context is Key: The verse comes right after Jesus reveals to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer greatly at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, be killed, and on the third day be raised to life (Matthew 16:21). This is the first explicit "passion prediction" in Matthew's Gospel.
Peter's Reaction: Peter, upon hearing this, takes Jesus "aside" - likely to speak privately and perhaps out of earshot of the other disciples. He then "began to rebuke him." The word "rebuke" is strong; it implies that Peter is scolding or correcting Jesus as if he knows better.
"Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you." This is the core of Peter's statement. In Greek, "Far be it from you!" is translated as "Hileōs soi, Kyrie" which means "God have mercy on you, Lord!" However, in this context, Peter isn't invoking God's mercy in a reverent way. It's more of a shocked exclamation, a forceful rejection of the idea. He is saying, essentially, "No way, Lord! This can't happen to you! I won't let it!" Peter's statement reflects his strong loyalty and affection for Jesus, but also a deep misunderstanding.
Meaning & Significance:
Misunderstanding of Messiah: Peter, like many Jews of his time, expected the Messiah to be a victorious king who would liberate Israel from Roman rule and establish a glorious earthly kingdom. The idea of a suffering and dying Messiah was completely foreign and unacceptable to him. He couldn't reconcile the idea of Jesus, the powerful miracle worker and prophesied Messiah, being subjected to such humiliation and death.
Human vs. Divine Perspective: Peter's response highlights the tension between human desires and God's will. Peter, driven by human affection and a desire to protect Jesus, tries to shield him from suffering. Jesus, however, knows that his suffering and death are essential for the salvation of humanity, according to the Father's will. Peter's perspective is rooted in earthly concerns, while Jesus' perspective is rooted in a divine, eternal purpose.
Temptation to Avoid Suffering: Peter's words inadvertently represent a temptation for Jesus to avoid the cross, to choose an easier path. It's a temptation to abandon his mission and avoid the pain and sacrifice required.
Foreshadowing: This verse foreshadows Peter's later denial of Jesus during the passion narrative. His inability to accept the idea of Jesus' suffering makes him vulnerable to fear and ultimately leads him to deny knowing Jesus.
Jesus' Strong Response: The verse is immediately followed by Jesus' sharp rebuke of Peter: "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.” (Matthew 16:23). This is an incredibly strong reaction, indicating the severity of Peter's misunderstanding and the danger of allowing human comfort to overshadow divine purpose.
In conclusion, Matthew 16:22 is a significant verse that reveals Peter's human perspective, his misunderstanding of Jesus' role as the suffering Messiah, and the tension between human desires and God's will. It sets the stage for Jesus' further teachings on the importance of suffering, sacrifice, and following him even unto death. It also serves as a warning against prioritizing earthly comfort over God's purpose.