The Literary Context Of The Story Of Peter
Passage: Peter Stories (14:28-31; 16:13-20; 17:22-27; 18:21-35). The Literary Context of the Passage/s:
The literary contexts of the passages are all related to the stories of Peter throughout the gospel of Matthew. Matthew makes great emphasis on what the role Peter has in his gospel. Structurally, in the story we are reading about Peter’s stories during the Progressive Crisis of the Messiah’s Ministry (Matthew 14:1-16:12) and through to the Messiah’s Journey to Jerusalem, which includes Peter’s confession, the first two passion predications, and the call to discipleship (Matthew 16:13-18:35).
Summary of the Passage/s:
The stories of Peter all show us a different perspective on Peter that Matthew really emphasizes, especially the relationship between both Peter and Jesus. In the first story, Peter is out at sea fishing when in the distance they saw someone walking on the water. Peter asks the distant object, “If it is you, Lord, then ask me to come to you” and Jesus said, “Come”. Peter gets out and begins to walk, when he becomes startled by the wind, he starts to sink and calls out for Jesus to save him. Jesus grabs his hand and says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt” (Matthew 14:28-31). The second story is when Jesus asks the disciples who they think He is at Caesarea Philippa, they all replied with …show more content…
different answers, but Peter finally answers saying, “You are the Messiah”. Jesus continues accepting this title and grants Peter the role of being his rock that He will build His church upon. He also gives Peter the key to the kingdom of Heaven and asks the other disciples to tell no one (Matthew 16:13-20). The third story starts in Galilee where Jesus describes the fate of the Messiah to them. He states that he will be arrested and killed and then would rise on the third day to the disciples. They next headed to Capernaum where the temple tax was being collected and they were asking if Jesus was going to pay as well, so Jesus told Peter to go to the sea and catch the first fish that comes up and it will have a coin worth twice as much as the tax and to give it to them for both Peter and himself (Matthew 17:22-27). The fourth story was about Peter asking if his brother sinned against him, how many times should he forgive him. Jesus replied not seven times, but seventy-seven times. They met a debtor and Jesus talks about how forgiving always is something that we must do. He talks abut forgiving or you will be punished (Matthew 18:21-35).
The World Behind the Text
The historical background of Peter’s stories in this gospel all refers to a form of the Greco-Roman biography written traditionally by Matthew, who was a disciple and tax collector.
Matthew really emphasizes on the events of Jesus’ life and the history it creates in the world of Judaism. Its location is set in the Jewish Christian community dating back to around 85 CE. One of the main purposes of the gospel of Matthew is the Doctrine of the Church and this is really adds to the gospel and the focus on Peter. Peter is granted the authoritative disciple on earth and the rock to which Jesus will build His church upon (Matthew
16:13-20).
The World in the Text
It is very clear in the gospel of Matthew that Peter is given special prominence that is only found in this gospel and none of the others. Peter from the start has always put his faith in Jesus especially in chapter 14:22-31 when Peter followed Jesus on the water, but this is when we see his doubt take over. These parables are all key to the traditions of the gospel where Jesus has taken Peter in as his head disciple to help continue his legacy after He is gone. Jesus talks openly about the church and the importance it has on the continuation of the relationships with Him and his people to come, along with the relationship between the church and the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:13-20). Peter continues to be Jesus’ witness to all and is given the keys to the kingdom of heaven, which no other disciple has been given. Throughout the gospel, Jesus has taught Peter what he needs to do after He is gone. Another example of the structure is through the laws. We are taught about the temple tax in Matthew 17:22-27 where moral codes of the Jewish Scriptures known as the Old Testament are important, but Peter is asked if he agrees to take taxes from their subjects or foreigners. Jesus teaches to not only just have the foreigners pay, but the sons will as well no matter if they are apart of the kingdom of God. This is a good lesson in that the law’s that have been created are important for all people. Peter is taught in Matthew 18:21-35 to forgive limitlessly and was instructed by the heavenly Father that those who do not forgive will be punished as well. The presence of God has been included all throughout the gospel and this is just another way of showing us what we need to do to be able to truly follow Jesus as Christians.
The World in Front of the Text
Matthew was very specific in the way that he added Peter’s stories to the gospel. He wanted to portray Peter as Jesus’ one true companion that will follow in his footsteps and lead the path for the others. He is shown as the foundation for the disciples and the foundation for all of the Jewish people as the authoritative church leader. Matthew wanted his audience to respond in that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises made to all of His people. Also, he wants his audience to begin to believe in Him and to believe in the Scriptures that have been set forth throughout the gospel. Matthew wants them to learn from Jesus’ teachings and parables and to be able to look up to an influential leader like Peter. To follow his actions and believe in Jesus, but to not doubt in Him.
Conclusion:
Matthew’s focus in this gospel was to show Jesus as the teacher and leader, but also to show how Peter can be the teacher and leader for Jesus when He is gone. Peter is trustworthy and faithful to Jesus and will continue to follow and get the others to follow Jesus for years to come. Matthew emphasizes the kingdom of Heaven in his gospel and that we can all gain salvation through the works of Jesus instilled in Peter. This is shown to the people of Israel. Matthew also shows us the power of his teachings and parables in the gospel and through the stories of Peter.
The literary contexts of the passages are all related to the stories of Peter throughout the gospel of Matthew. Matthew makes great emphasis on what the role Peter has in his gospel. Structurally, in the story we are reading about Peter’s stories during the Progressive Crisis of the Messiah’s Ministry (Matthew 14:1-16:12) and through to the Messiah’s Journey to Jerusalem, which includes Peter’s confession, the first two passion predications, and the call to discipleship (Matthew 16:13-18:35).
Summary of the Passage/s:
The stories of Peter all show us a different perspective on Peter that Matthew really emphasizes, especially the relationship between both Peter and Jesus. In the first story, Peter is out at sea fishing when in the distance they saw someone walking on the water. Peter asks the distant object, “If it is you, Lord, then ask me to come to you” and Jesus said, “Come”. Peter gets out and begins to walk, when he becomes startled by the wind, he starts to sink and calls out for Jesus to save him. Jesus grabs his hand and says, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt” (Matthew 14:28-31). The second story is when Jesus asks the disciples who they think He is at Caesarea Philippa, they all replied with …show more content…
different answers, but Peter finally answers saying, “You are the Messiah”. Jesus continues accepting this title and grants Peter the role of being his rock that He will build His church upon. He also gives Peter the key to the kingdom of Heaven and asks the other disciples to tell no one (Matthew 16:13-20). The third story starts in Galilee where Jesus describes the fate of the Messiah to them. He states that he will be arrested and killed and then would rise on the third day to the disciples. They next headed to Capernaum where the temple tax was being collected and they were asking if Jesus was going to pay as well, so Jesus told Peter to go to the sea and catch the first fish that comes up and it will have a coin worth twice as much as the tax and to give it to them for both Peter and himself (Matthew 17:22-27). The fourth story was about Peter asking if his brother sinned against him, how many times should he forgive him. Jesus replied not seven times, but seventy-seven times. They met a debtor and Jesus talks about how forgiving always is something that we must do. He talks abut forgiving or you will be punished (Matthew 18:21-35).
The World Behind the Text
The historical background of Peter’s stories in this gospel all refers to a form of the Greco-Roman biography written traditionally by Matthew, who was a disciple and tax collector.
Matthew really emphasizes on the events of Jesus’ life and the history it creates in the world of Judaism. Its location is set in the Jewish Christian community dating back to around 85 CE. One of the main purposes of the gospel of Matthew is the Doctrine of the Church and this is really adds to the gospel and the focus on Peter. Peter is granted the authoritative disciple on earth and the rock to which Jesus will build His church upon (Matthew
16:13-20).
The World in the Text
It is very clear in the gospel of Matthew that Peter is given special prominence that is only found in this gospel and none of the others. Peter from the start has always put his faith in Jesus especially in chapter 14:22-31 when Peter followed Jesus on the water, but this is when we see his doubt take over. These parables are all key to the traditions of the gospel where Jesus has taken Peter in as his head disciple to help continue his legacy after He is gone. Jesus talks openly about the church and the importance it has on the continuation of the relationships with Him and his people to come, along with the relationship between the church and the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:13-20). Peter continues to be Jesus’ witness to all and is given the keys to the kingdom of heaven, which no other disciple has been given. Throughout the gospel, Jesus has taught Peter what he needs to do after He is gone. Another example of the structure is through the laws. We are taught about the temple tax in Matthew 17:22-27 where moral codes of the Jewish Scriptures known as the Old Testament are important, but Peter is asked if he agrees to take taxes from their subjects or foreigners. Jesus teaches to not only just have the foreigners pay, but the sons will as well no matter if they are apart of the kingdom of God. This is a good lesson in that the law’s that have been created are important for all people. Peter is taught in Matthew 18:21-35 to forgive limitlessly and was instructed by the heavenly Father that those who do not forgive will be punished as well. The presence of God has been included all throughout the gospel and this is just another way of showing us what we need to do to be able to truly follow Jesus as Christians.
The World in Front of the Text
Matthew was very specific in the way that he added Peter’s stories to the gospel. He wanted to portray Peter as Jesus’ one true companion that will follow in his footsteps and lead the path for the others. He is shown as the foundation for the disciples and the foundation for all of the Jewish people as the authoritative church leader. Matthew wanted his audience to respond in that Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promises made to all of His people. Also, he wants his audience to begin to believe in Him and to believe in the Scriptures that have been set forth throughout the gospel. Matthew wants them to learn from Jesus’ teachings and parables and to be able to look up to an influential leader like Peter. To follow his actions and believe in Jesus, but to not doubt in Him.
Conclusion:
Matthew’s focus in this gospel was to show Jesus as the teacher and leader, but also to show how Peter can be the teacher and leader for Jesus when He is gone. Peter is trustworthy and faithful to Jesus and will continue to follow and get the others to follow Jesus for years to come. Matthew emphasizes the kingdom of Heaven in his gospel and that we can all gain salvation through the works of Jesus instilled in Peter. This is shown to the people of Israel. Matthew also shows us the power of his teachings and parables in the gospel and through the stories of Peter.