Get Behind Jesus

The command to “get behind” can be interpreted in three different ways. First, Jesus could be using it figuratively to tell Peter to “resume [his] proper role as a disciple” (Hare 194). Although Jesus just gave Peter authority in verse eighteen, Peter is still a disciple. He has much to learn still and should not try to instruct Jesus (Hare 194). By getting behind Jesus, Peter returns to a position of obedience and submission to the master (Stoutenburg 175). Second, He may be simply telling Peter to get out of His way (174). When Jesus says to Peter “you are a hindrance to me,” the word “hindrance” means “stumbling block” according to the ESV text notes (Mt. 16.23). This is in contrast to Peter as the rock on which Jesus will build His church (Mt. 16.18). Ironically, Just as Peter was a stumbling block to Jesus, Jesus’ suffering and death was a stumbling block for Peter, and other Jews, to accept Jesus as the Messiah (Hill 264). This stemmed from a difference of …show more content…
In the next part of the passage, Matthew transitions from the foundation for discipleship to explaining what it means to become a disciple and the reasons for discipleship. Jesus begins by saying “if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mt 16.24). His use of the word “would” implies that we all have a choice when following Jesus (Simonetti 49). He does not force discipleship on anyone, but the choice of discipleship comes with a great cost. The term “disciple” was generally used to refer to a pupil or a learner (Marshall 277). However, they way Jesus called His disciples to be went much further than that and gave the term a whole new meaning (Marshall 277). He called them to exclusive loyalty and a “readiness to put the claims of Jesus first, whatever the cost” (Marshall 277). The cost could be giving up of wealth, rejection of family, or something much