Matthew: Peter's Proclamation

Text: Matthew 16:13-20 
Title: Peter’s Proclamation

Reading: Matthew 16:13-20

“Jesus’ declaration, “You are Peter,” parallels Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ,” as if to say, “Since you can tell me who I am, I will tell you who you are.” (Craig Blomberg)

“The play on words in the Greek between Peter’s name (Petros) and the word “rock” (petra) makes sense only if Peter is the rock and if Jesus is about to explain the significance of this identification.”(Craig Blomberg)

“It is often alleged that the “rock” must be Christ or Peter’s confession of Christ, especially since the days of Luther and the Protestant Reformation. These alternatives understandably react against traditional Roman Catholic equation of Peter with the first pope and against an elaborate ecclesiology built on this verse. But a legitimate interpretation of vv. 18b–19, as below, predicates nothing of this, so there should be no theological objections to taking Peter as “this rock.” A distinction between “Peter” and “this rock” is also often affirmed on the basis of the two different Greek words, but grammar requires this variation because the ending of petra (“rock”) is feminine and could not be used for a man’s name. The underlying Aramaic would have used kepha in both instances, in which case the problem disappears altogether.” (Craig Blomberg)

“If Peter was prepared to say that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus was prepared to say that, with this allegiance, Peter would himself be the foundation for his new building. Just as God gave Abram the name Abraham, indicating that he would be the father of many nations (Gen. 17:5), so now Jesus gives Simon the new name Peter, the Rock. Furthermore, just as in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus told a story about a wise man building a house on the rock (7:24), so now Jesus himself declares that he's going to do just that. Here, as there, we are meant to imagine in the background the great city, Jerusalem, built on the rocky heights of Mount Zion. In some Jewish traditions, the Temple in Jerusalem was the place were heaven and earth met, and where the gates of the underworld as well were to be found. Jesus is declaring that he is reconstructing this centerpiece of God's world. Jesus isn't going to build an actual city, or an actual temple. He is going to build a community, consisting of all those who give allegiance to him as God's anointed king. And this movement, this community, starts then and there, at Caesarea Philippi, with Peters declaration.” (N.T. Wright)

“The metaphor of binding and loosing was variously employed in ancient Judaism but often was used for the interpretation of Torah and for decision making more generally. Many therefore support the GNB’s “prohibit” and “permit,” which would fit Jesus’ use of these terms in (18:18) in the context of church discipline. But this translation reflects a fairly late, rabbinic usage; more immediate parallels suggest that one should pursue the imagery of keys that close and open, lock and unlock (based on Isa. 22:22) and take the binding and loosing as referring to Christians’ making entrance to God’s kingdom available or unavailable to people through their witness, preaching, and ministry.”        (Craig Blomberg)

“He, on whom the church is to be built, follows his ancestors Adam and Eve in presuming to know better than God what God desires.” (Stanley Hauerwas)

“Jesus, therefore, tells his disciples that if they are to follow him they must take up their cross. If they seek to save their lives using the means the world offers to ensure their existence, then their lives will be lost. Rather, they must be willing to lose their lives “for my sake” if they are to find life. Jesus is not telling his disciples that if they learn to live unselfishly they will live more satisfied lives. Rather, he says that any sacrifices they make must be done for his sake. The cross we bear must be one determined by his cross. What Jesus asks of his disciples makes no sense if Jesus is not who he says he is. You do not ask those who follow you to follow you to a cross unless you are the son of God. You do not ask your brothers and sisters to contemplate the death of those they love if you are not the messiah. You do not make Peter the rock on whom the church is built if you are not the one who is inaugurated the new age. But Jesus is all this and more, required his disciples to live life not determined by death.” (Stanley Hauerwas)