Peter’s Confession
Overview
- Testament: New
- Book: Matthew, Mark, Luke
- Chapters: Matthew 16:13-20; Mark 8:27-30; Luke 9:18-21
- Summary: At Caesarea Philippi, Peter declared Jesus to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God”; Jesus affirmed this as divine revelation and declared he would build his church on this confession.
Details
Jesus asked his disciples in the region of Caesarea Philippi, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” They reported various opinions: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Then Jesus pressed the question personally: “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered on behalf of the twelve: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus’ response was emphatic affirmation: “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” He then gave Peter the new name “Petros” (rock) and declared “upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He gave Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, with the authority to bind and loose. Immediately after this high point, Jesus warned the disciples to tell no one he was the Christ — then began teaching them for the first time about his coming suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter’s attempt to rebuke this teaching was sharply corrected: “Get thee behind me, Satan.”
Key People Involved
- Peter — The disciple who made the confession and received the keys
- Jesus Christ — The one identified and the one who responded with the church promise
- Disciples — The broader group questioned
Key Places
- Caesarea Philippi — The Gentile city at the foot of Mt. Hermon where this exchange occurred
Important Verses
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” — Matthew 16:16
“And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18
Cross-References
- Followed by: Transfiguration — Occurred shortly after this confession
- Related: Restoration of Peter — Jesus’ post-resurrection reinstatement of Peter
- Related: Messianic Secret — Jesus commands silence about his identity
- Related books: Matthew, Mark, Luke
Notes
The location is significant: Caesarea Philippi was a Gentile city at the base of a great rock cliff with a cave dedicated to the god Pan and the worship of Caesar. Jesus’ declaration that he would build his church on “this rock” may include a visual reference to the massive cliff behind them. The identity of “the rock” has been disputed in church history — whether it refers to Peter himself, to Peter’s confession, or to Jesus — but the immediate narrative emphasis is on the confession as the foundation of Christian proclamation. This is the first use of the word “church” (ekklesia) in the Gospels.