Section 83
First direct prediction of the rejection, crucifixion, and resurrection
Near Caesarea Philippi
| Matthew 16:21-26 | Mark 8:31-37 | Luke 9:22-25 |
|---|---|---|
| 21From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised up. 22So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid, Lord! This shall certainly not happen to you.” 23But he turned around and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not thinking about the things of God, but the things of men.” | 31Then 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 that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32He was stating the matter plainly, so Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning around and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not thinking about the things of God, but the things of men.” | 22saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and he must be killed and on the third day rise again.” |
| 24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? Or what can a person give in exchange for his soul? | 34Then he called the crowd over, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it. 36For what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? 37Or what can a person give in exchange for his soul? | 23Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 24For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25For what does it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself? |
Notes
Caesarea Philippi
Near the city of Dan in its setting of a lush paradise is place filled with beautiful ponds and lush woods. This area is fed by a tributary of the Jordan River, the Banias (the Arabic pronunciation of Paneas). This gem of a site is set against the russet cliffs of Mount Hermon. In antiquity, the large rock hewn cave and the nearby niches contained statues of Pan, the Greek god of hunters, flocks and shepherds. The excavations near the cave have revealed foundations of large buildings, possibly a temple to Augustus Caesar mentioned by Josephus. Archaeologists are currently excavating the market area to the right of the road that was used to enter the pools and caves of Panias or, as it was known in the time of Christ, Caesarea Philippi.
It was at Caesarea Philippi that the disciples understood Jesus’ true identity. Here He taught His disciples for the first time that His mission was to go to Jerusalem, suffer, be killed, and be raised up on the third day. This week long teaching session was capped by an event witnessed only by Peter, James and John: the transfiguration. It was here that Jesus put together for His disciples the twin truths of His humility and His glory.