What does Matthew 16:21 mean?
With this verse, a shift begins in Jesus' life and ministry, a change that will baffle His followers. To this point, Jesus has kept mainly to the region of Galilee in northern Israel, in addition to travelling to some Gentile regions around Galilee. He has avoided spending much time in Jerusalem, the religious and political heart of Israel. In fact, when He did come into conflict with Jewish religious leaders, He often left the area to keep things from escalating (Matthew 15:21).Now, though, Jesus begins to show the disciples that time has ended. Instead, shockingly, Jesus begins to tell them that He must go to Jerusalem. He says to them clearly that He will suffer at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes. In fact, He will be killed and then raised on the third day.
We know from the rest of the story that Jesus' mission was to die as a perfect, sinless sacrifice for the sins of humanity (John 12:32–34). This verse reveals that Jesus knew it also. He understood what must happen to Him for salvation to come, and He would not resist it (John 12:23–28). In their limited knowledge, Peter and the other disciples would resist that idea.
Matthew 16:21–28 describes the disciples' reaction when Jesus reveals He must be killed by religious leaders and raised on the third day. Peter, recently praised for His faith (Matthew 16:17), chastises Jesus for saying such things. Jesus responds with a devastating rebuke of His own, saying "Get behind me, Satan!" Peter's insistence that Messiah could not be killed is based in his own assumptions, not truth. Christ warns that those who follow Him must be willing to give up all else in the world, and to take on hardship and persecution, as needed. He adds that some standing there will not die before seeing Him coming in His kingdom; this prediction is fulfilled in the next passage (Matthew 17:1–2).
A group of Pharisees and Sadducees demand a miracle from Jesus, though He has already performed many. Jesus refuses and warns the disciples to beware of the teachings of these religious leaders. Jesus asks the disciples who the people say He is, as well as their own opinion. Peter says Jesus is the Christ, and is commended for that statement. Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer and be killed before being raised on the third day. Peter's attempt to scold Jesus results in a devastating rebuke. Jesus then says all who would follow Him must take up crosses of self-denial.
