John Calvin Commentary Matthew 16:22

"And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall never be unto thee." — Matthew 16:22 (ASV)

And Peter, taking him aside, began to rebuke him. It is a proof of Peter's excessive zeal that he rebukes his Master. It would appear, however, that the respect he had for him was his reason for taking him aside, because he did not dare to rebuke him in front of others. Still, it was highly presumptuous in Peter to advise our Lord to spare himself, as if he had been deficient in prudence or self-command. But so completely are people hurried on and driven headlong by inconsiderate zeal that they do not hesitate to pass judgment on God himself, according to their own notions.

Peter views it as absurd that the Son of God, who was to be the Redeemer of the nation, should be crucified by the elders, and that he who was the Author of life should be condemned to die. He therefore tries to restrain Christ from exposing himself to death. The reasoning is plausible, but we should without hesitation yield greater deference to the opinion of Christ than to the zeal of Peter, whatever excuse he may plead.

And here we learn what value in the sight of God belongs to what are called good intentions. So deeply is pride rooted in the hearts of people that they think wrong is done to them, and complain if God does not comply with everything that they consider to be right. With what obstinacy do we see the Papists boasting of their devotions! But while they applaud themselves in this daring manner, God not only rejects what they believe to be worthy of the highest praise, but even pronounces a severe censure of its folly and wickedness.

Certainly, if the feeling and judgment of the flesh are admitted, Peter’s intention was pious, or at least it appeared good. And yet Christ could not have conveyed his censure in harsher or more disdainful language. Tell me, what is the meaning of that stern reply? How is it that he who so mildly on all occasions guarded against breaking even a bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3), thunders so dismally against a chosen disciple?

The reason is obvious: in the person of one man, he intended to restrain all from gratifying their own passions. Though the lusts of the flesh, as they resemble wild beasts, are difficult to be restrained, yet there is no beast more furious than the wisdom of the flesh. It is on this account that Christ rebukes it so sharply, and bruises it, as it were, with an iron hammer, to teach us that it is only from the word of God that we should be wise.