But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying,
Get you behind me, Satan: for you consider not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
Read Chapter 8
Bede
AD 735
In Marc., 2, 35: Philip was that brother of Herod, of whom we spoke above, who in honour of Tiberius Caesar called that town, which is now called Paneas, Caesarea Philippi. It goes on, “And by the way He asked His disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?”.
Wherefore He first asks what is the opinion of men, in order to try the faith of the disciples, lest their confession should appear to be founded on the common opinion.
This, however, he speaks with the feelings of a man who loves and desires; as if he said, This cannot be, neither can mind ears receive that the Son of God is to be slain.
Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc. He asks the question with a purpose, for it was right that His disciples should praise Him better than the crowd.
Hom. in Matt., 54: From the manner, however, itself of the question, He leads them to a higher feeling, and to higher thoughts, concerning Him, that they might not agree with the multitude. But the next words show what the head of the disciples, the mouth of the Apostles, answered; when all were asked, “Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ.”.
Or else, that He might wait to fix the pure faith in their minds, till the Crucifixion, which was an offence to the m, was over, for after it was once perfected, about the time of His ascension, He said unto the Apostles, “Go ye and teach all nations.”.
Vict. Ant. e Cat. in Marc.: The reason, however, why the Lord told them this, was to shew, that after His cross and resurrection, Christ must be preached by His witnesses. Again, Peter alone, from the fervour of his disposition, had the bold...
After taking His disciples afar from the Jews, He then asks them concerning Himself, that they might speak the truth without fear of the Jews. Wherefore it is said, “And Jesus entered, and His disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi.”.
For many thought that John had risen from the dead, as even Herod believed, and that he had performed miracles after his resurrection. After however having enquired into the opinion of others, He asks them what was the belief of their own minds on this point. Wherefore it continues, “And He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”.
He confesses indeed that Heis the Christ announced by the Prophets; but the Evangelist Mark passes over what the Lord answered to his confession, and how He blessed him, lest by this way of relating it, he should seem to be favouring his master Peter; Matthew plainly goes through the whole of it.
For He wished in the meantime to hide His glory, lest many should be offended because of Him, and so earn aworse punishme...
