The Life of Peter: Matthew 16:13–23
“13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ. 21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” 23 But He turned and said to 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.”[1]” (Matthew 16:13–23, NASB 95)
Russell explored Matthew 16:13-23, where Jesus purposefully brings His disciples to Caesarea Philippi—a pagan stronghold filled with temples to false gods and regarded as a gateway to the underworld—to pose the most challenging question in Scripture: "Who do you say that I am?" The passage uncovers four layers of confrontation: the provocative location itself, Jesus' pointed question that demands a clear answer, Peter's bold declaration that Jesus is "the Christ, the Son of the living God," and Jesus' stern rebuke when Peter tries to dissuade Him from His mission of suffering and death. The sermon emphasizes that sometimes confrontation isn't about aggression but about truth clashing with falsehood. Jesus does just that as He establishes His identity and mission while commissioning the Church to advance against the gates of Hades with the authority to declare life to a dying world.
Discussion Questions
- Share an experience when you confronted someone or something that was wrong. How did it feel, and what was the outcome?
- Why do you think Jesus chose Caesarea Philippi—a hub of pagan worship—as the site for this crucial conversation? What does this teach us about engaging with our culture?
- The disciples provided different responses regarding who people believed Jesus to be (John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah). Why do you think there was so much confusion about Jesus' identity, even among His followers?
- Jesus asked, "But who do you say that I am?" How would you respond to this question in your own words? Has your understanding of Jesus evolved?
- Jesus called Peter "Satan" when he tried to dissuade Him from suffering and death. How can well-meaning Christians occasionally become stumbling blocks to God's purposes?
- Peter anticipated a conquering Messiah but received a suffering Savior. How do our expectations of what Jesus should do at times clash with what He actually does?
- The sermon concludes that we have the authority to "declare life to a world that is dying." What does this look like in practice in your daily life?
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