Peter's Confession at Caesarea Philippi
At the northern edge of the country, in a district full of shrines to other gods, Jesus asks who people say he is. The answers are respectful and wrong: John the Baptist, Elijah, one of the prophets. Then he asks the disciples directly, and Peter says: you are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.
Matthew has Jesus name him the rock on which the church will be built. Then, in the same conversation, Jesus begins to explain that he must suffer, be killed and be raised — and Peter takes him aside to rebuke him for it, and is met with the sharpest words Jesus ever addresses to a disciple.
The scene is the turning point of all three Synoptic Gospels. From here the road runs to Jerusalem, and the terms of discipleship are stated: take up your cross and follow.
Where in scripture
[13] Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” [14] They said, “Some say John the Baptizer, some, Elijah, and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” [16] Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. [18] I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. …
Matthew 16:13–28 — opening verses
[27] Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, “Who do men say that I am?” [28] They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets.” [29] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” [30] He commanded them that they should tell no one about him. [31] He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. [32] He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. …
Mark 8:27–38 — opening verses
[18] As he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” [19] They answered, “‘John the Baptizer,’ but others say, ‘Elijah,’ and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.” [20] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” [21] But he warned them, and commanded them to tell this to no one, [22] saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.” [23] He said to all, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. [24] For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever will lose his life for my sake, the same will save it. …
Luke 9:18–27 — opening verses
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
