"Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. From 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. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But 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."
Matt. 16:21-23"Why did Jesus forbid his disciples from revealing who He was?
Was Satan actually in Peter when Jesus rebuked him?
8 comments:
'Why did Jesus forbid his disciples from revealing who He was?'
Our Lord came to the world to be rejected by men. Therefore, there were limits on the revelation of His messiahship.
'Was Satan actually in Peter when Jesus rebuked him?'
No. Satan has a body, being an angel. Therefore he cannot posess people as demons do.
In fact, Satan had probably not even influenced Peter when he said that. There is nothing in Scripture to indicate that Satan tried to prevent the cross. Rather, Peter was speaking in the manner of Satan and not actually under his influence at that moment.
Have you got 'one last question', like Colombo? You might just catch me out.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
Dear Jim,
Jesus had them keep certain things to themselves simply because it was not "the time" to have Him revealed. Premature works of faith seem to be rather immature works of the flesh.
I don't believe that Satan was "in" Peter, but, he certainly was the source of Peter's thinking, suggesting the refusal and rebuke to the mind of Peter, which was all too ready to think after the "things of men." He spoke for the devil, without a doubt, as clearly as he spoke from the Spirit earlier. This should be a sober warning to us all.
Satan has a body? Then how did he enter Judas? Luke 22:3 "Then satan entered Judas,..."
So, Jesus was saying, "Get behind me satan-breath?" No. He addressed satan, as through Peter.
Matthew, thanks for those thoughts. Is there a specific verse that explains why Jesus did not want His Messiahship being known?
Joe, I would tend to agree with your statement about Satan influencing Peter. Yes, it is a sober warning to us that we must guard our thoughts from the evil one's attack.
Jesus knew full well the source of those words and therefore rebuked Satan directly.
It is funny how here Peter is being rebuked "as Satan", and then in the same area of scripture he is, according to RCC tradition, the rock that Christ builds His church upon. Quite contradictory I say.
Let us bring every thought into the obedience of Jesus Christ.
Satan entered Judas the same way he filled the heart of Ananias and Saphirah. It was not physical posession.
Did Satan want to stop the cross? Why did he then influence Judas to betray Jesus?
You are saying that Satan used Peter to try and stop the crucifixtion and Judas to carry it out?
Israel's rejection of the messiah enabled Christ's saving work:
Romans 11
11 ¶ I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
If they had accepted our Lord as messiah, they would have not have crucified Him.
1 Corinthians 2
7 but we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory;
8 which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
While Christ was on earth only those drawn by the Father could believe:
John 6
44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Calvinism and John 6
The hearts of the Jews were hardened so that they would reject our Lord:
Mark 4
11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
12 that seeing they may see, and not perceive;
and hearing they may hear, and not understand;
lest at any time they should be converted,
and their sins should be forgiven them.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matthew
Interesting discussion.
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