Matthew 16:22 Meaning and Explanation
“Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Peter pulls Jesus aside and rebukes him, refusing to accept the cross.
What Does Matthew 16:22 Mean?
The same Peter who just confessed Christ now takes him aside and rebukes him. The thought of his Master suffering and dying is unbearable; 'Be it far from thee, Lord,' he protests, 'this shall not be unto thee.' His words spring from love, but love that cannot yet see God's deeper plan.
Peter wants a Messiah without a cross, a crown without a passion. It is a very human wish, to spare the one we love all pain, and to spare ourselves the cost of following. Yet the path Peter resists is the very road of salvation. Devotion is not enough if it sets our will against God's; even sincere love must learn to bow to the wisdom of heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matthew 16:22
What does Matthew 16:22 mean?
Peter pulls Jesus aside and rebukes him, refusing to accept the cross.