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 on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matthew 16:21–23 ESV)
“This phrase (From that time) marks a new phase of Jesus’ public ministry. Matthew turns from Jesus’ public proclamation of the kingdom’s near approach to His careful instruction of the disciples that the kingdom must come through His death and resurrection,” explains Dr. R. C. Sproul.
Following Peter’s confession and Jesus’ commission to not only Peter but also the other disciples, the Lord from that time on began to personally, actively and infinitely show them what awaited Him. He made known to the disciples three primary truths.
First, Jesus made known to the disciples that He must go to Jerusalem. However, His reason for going to Jerusalem was not for a vacation or to visit friends and family. He had to go to the capital city. Jesus used the word must (δεῖ; dei) meaning absolutely necessary.
“He (Jesus) must satisfy the demands of the law, that is, He must pay the penalty for His people’s sin in perfect obedience to His Father’s will and in fulfillment of prophecy (Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 12:50; 13:33; 22:37; 24:26, 27, 44; John 1:29; 17:4; 2 Cor. 5:21; Isaiah 52:13-53:12),” states Dr. William Hendriksen.
Second, the reason Jesus had to go to Jerusalem was to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests and scribes. To suffer (πάσχω; pascho) means to undergo an experience of pain. Jesus knew what was before Him. The elders, chief priests and scribes refer to the Jewish religious leaders of the day and they were going to make Jesus suffer.
Third, Jesus told His disciples that He would be killed (ἀποκτείνω; apokteino). This does not refer to a natural death from a disease or old age. Rather, it means to die by the forceful action of another. Jesus knew He would be the passive recipient of the Jews and Romans forceful, active and murderous behavior against Him (Acts 2:22-23). They were going to kill Him.
Finally, Jesus told His disciple He would rise from the dead. To be raised (ἐγείρω; egeiro) means to be restored to physical life. This would be by the active action of the Holy Spirit upon the passive corpse of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-4; 6:10-11).
“Jesus had made clear to The Twelve that He was indeed the long awaited Messiah. Therefore the next lesson was now very definitely in order. He must now convey to this little company the shocking truth, which at first seemed entirely unbelievable, that this Messiah must suffer and be killed,” explains Dr. Hendriksen.
“To be sure, Jesus added ‘and the third day be raised up’ but it is doubtful whether His first clear announcement of the resurrection even fully registered in the disciples’ minds, so utterly painful and inconceivable did the news of their Master’s fast approaching suffering and death seem to them.”
What would be even more shocking was Jesus’ next statementto Peter. We will examine this next time.
Soli deo Gloria!
His Word Today 