Mark 8:32

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father, who is in heaven. And whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father, who is in heaven.

And he spake that saying openly,.... Concerning his sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead. He not only spoke it before them all, but in plain words, without a figure; so that it might be, and was clearly understood by them; and he spake it as the word will also bear, not only very freely, but likewise boldly, with an undaunted courage, with intrepidity of mind; being not in the least discouraged, nor showing any concern or fear about what was to befall him: and Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

This was not the language of the least authority, but of the greatest affection, of that jealousy for the welfare of those we love, which is strong as death. Our Lord Jesus allowed his disciples to be free with him, but Peter here took too great a liberty. Christ checked him for his opposition (

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — unbalanced-parens

And he spake that saying - Concerning the certainty and necessity of his sufferings - openly: with great plainness, παρῥησια, confidence, or emphasis, so that the disciples now began fully to understand him. This is an additional observation of St. Mark. For Peter’s reproof, see on Mat 16:22 (note), etc.

The circumstances here recorded are of great importance. They took place during a journey, and arose out of a conversation "by the way." Happy are those journeys, in which time is not wasted on trifles, but redeemed as far as possible for the consideration of serious things. Let us observe the variety of opinions about Christ , which prevailed among the Jews. Some said that He was John the Baptist — some Elijah — and others one of the prophets. In short every kind of opinion appears to have been current, excepting that one which was true.

The circumstances here recorded are of great importance. They took place during a journey, and arose out of a conversation "by the way." Happy are those journeys, in which time is not wasted on trifles, but redeemed as far as possible for the consideration of serious things. Let us observe the variety of opinions about Christ , which prevailed among the Jews. Some said that He was John the Baptist — some Elijah — and others one of the prophets. In short every kind of opinion appears to have been current, excepting that one which was true. We may see the same thing on every side at the present day. Christ and his Gospel are just as little understood in reality, and are the subject of just as many different opinions as they were eighteen hundred years ago. Many know the name of Christ, acknowledge Him as one who came into the world to save sinners, and regularly worship in buildings set apart for His service. Few thoroughly realize that He is very God — the one Mediator — the one High Priest — the only source of life and peace — their own Shepherd and their own Friend. Vague ideas about Christ are still very common. Intelligent experimental acquaintance with Christ is still very rare. May we never rest until we can say of Christ, "My beloved is mine and I am His." (Cant. 2:16.) This is saving knowledge. This is life eternal. Let us observe the good confession of faith which the apostle Peter witnessed . He replied to our Lord's question, "Whom do you say that I am?" "You are the Christ." This was a noble answer, when the circumstances under which it was made are duly considered. It was made when Jesus was poor in condition, without honor, majesty, wealth, or power. It was made when the heads of the Jewish nation, both in church and state, refused to receive Jesus as the Messiah. Yet even then Simon Peter says, "You are the Christ."