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 forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. | 31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. 33But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. | 22Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day. |
| 24Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? | 34And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? | 23And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? |
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.