Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 16:17

"And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jonah: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven." — Matthew 16:17 (ASV)

His old name is mentioned to bring out the distinction between what he was by nature and what grace had made him. Simon Bar-Jona, the fluttering son of a dove, has now become Peter, a rock.

He was a happy man to be taught by God on the central truth of revelation. He had not arrived at his belief by mere reason; flesh and blood had not worked out the problem. There had been a revelation to him from the Father who is in heaven.

To know the Lord in mere doctrinal statement, no such divine teaching is required, but Peter’s full assurance of his Lord’s nature and mission was no theory in the head. The truth had been written on his heart by the heavenly Spirit. This is the only knowledge worth having as to the person of our Lord, for it brings a blessing with it—a blessing from the mouth of the Lord Jesus, “Blessed art thou.”