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Book of Matthew - Chapter 16 - Verse 22

16:22
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Meaning

In this verse, Peter is expressing his deep concern for Jesus and his strong emotions are causing him to rebuke Jesus for speaking of his impending suffering and death. Peter's reaction highlights the human tendency to resist or reject the idea of suffering, especially when it involves someone we care about. Peter may have been acting out of love and a desire to protect Jesus, but he did not fully understand the divine plan that was unfolding. Jesus's response to Peter's rebuke, where he corrects Peter by saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me," emphasizes the importance of accepting God's will and understanding that suffering can lead to ultimate salvation and redemption.

Theological Overview

In this verse from the book of Matthew, Peter is shown rebuking Jesus after hearing about his impending death. The word "rebuke" in this context is translated from the Greek word "epitimao," which means to express strong disapproval or reprimand. Peter's reaction highlights his deep love and concern for Jesus, as he does not want to see his beloved Lord face such a fate. However, Jesus responds to Peter by saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me." This powerful exchange emphasizes Jesus' unwavering commitment to fulfilling his divine purpose, despite Peter's well-intentioned but misguided attempt to prevent it.

American Standard Version

And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall never be unto thee.
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