Peter's Confession of Christ #85

Peter’s confession is the scene in which Simon Peter, speaking for the disciples, declares that Jesus is the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. It takes place near Caesarea Philippi and is recorded in Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, and Luke 9:18-21. Most readers treat it as the hinge of the Synoptic Gospels.

Biblical Account

Jesus took his disciples to the region of Caesarea Philippi, a city in the far north at the foot of Mount Hermon. There he asked who people said he was, and they reported that some thought he was John the Baptist, others Elijah, others Jeremiah or one of the prophets. Then he asked, “But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15). Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Mark and Luke record shorter versions, “You are the Christ” and “The Christ of God” (Mark 8:29; Luke 9:20).

In Matthew, Jesus responds that this was revealed by his Father in heaven, calls Peter blessed, and says, “thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” He adds that he will give Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:17-19). Jesus then charged the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. From that time he began to explain that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and be raised on the third day. Peter rebuked him for saying so, and Jesus answered sharply (Matthew 16:21-23). Six days later, three of the disciples saw him transfigured. John records a comparable moment of confession elsewhere, when Peter said the Twelve had no one else to go to, for Jesus had “the words of eternal life” (John 6:66-69).

Theological Significance

The confession shows that Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah, while the following rebuke shows that he did not yet understand what kind of Messiah Jesus would be. The Gospels present the disciples’ faith as real but incomplete, growing toward the cross and resurrection.

The meaning of “this rock” has been debated for centuries. The Catholic Church traditionally teaches that it refers to Peter himself and to his office. Many Protestant interpreters take it to mean Peter’s confession or the faith it expresses, and some understand it as pointing to Christ. Eastern Orthodox and other traditions have their own emphases. All of these traditions agree that the passage affirms Jesus’ identity as the Christ and the Son of God, and that it is a foundation for the church’s confession.