Peter’s Confession about Jesus

Today's Reflections

 

Peter’s Confession about Jesus 

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Mt 16:13-19

¹³When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. ¹⁸And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Reflection:
 

You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Peter confesses Jesus to be the promised Messiah, the anointed one of God. This was the affirmation of God the Father for Jesus when Jesus was baptized by John at the Jordan River (Mt 3:17). This will be the Father’s proclamation of Jesus during the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor (Mt 17:5). Peter here does not say only what Jesus wants to hear. Nor does Peter simply repeat what others have said. 

He speaks as a result of revelation from the Father. At the same time, he voices his personal conviction, his personal discovery of Jesus. He affirms his experience of Jesus; he speaks not with his head but with his heart.

Though Peter’s answer is correct, Jesus strictly orders his disciples to tell no one that he is the Messiah. For the Jewish people, in fact, the title signifies a powerful political leader who will come from the lineage of King David and will eventually restore Israel to her political might and glory. Thus, the title for them has glorious political and worldly connotations. But for Jesus this is not what the Messiah is meant to do. To save fallen humanity, Jesus has to undergo pain and suffering. He has to accept the reality of the cross to the point of crucifixion. Jesus is the Messiah but not the political messiah the Jews have envisioned.

“Who do you say that I am?”If Jesus asks this of you today, how will you answer?